The sacred first flag-raising ceremony at A Pa Chai Flagpole.

NDO - To commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, on the morning of May 7th, a solemn flag-raising ceremony and plaque unveiling for the A Pa Chai flagpole was held in Sin Thau commune, Muong Nha district, Dien Bien province.

Attending the ceremony were: Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Nguyen Duc Manh, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard; and Major General Nguyen Hong Thai, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region II.

Representing Dien Bien province were Comrade Tran Quoc Cuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and other leaders of the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee, along with a large number of people, cadres, and soldiers of the armed forces of Dien Bien province.

The A Pa Chai flagpole is built on the summit of a 1,459m high mountain in the Khoang La San mountain range, along the border between Vietnam and China.

The A Pa Chai Flagpole project commenced construction in November 2023, with a total investment of 31 billion VND; it is located on a mountain peak 1,459m above sea level, in the Khoang La San mountain range, Sin Thau commune, approximately 1,400m from Marker 0, the tri-border junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China.

The entire complex covers 407 square ^meters and includes a surrounding walkway, a flag-raising area, and landscaped flowerbeds; at the center is a flagpole symbolizing the unity of ethnic groups gathered around the sacred flame of the nation. Viewed from above, the structure is stylized to resemble a blooming bauhinia flower amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.

The flagpole has a total height of 45.19m; the flag measures 7.5x5m, and the flagpole itself is octagonal in shape. The base of the flagpole is highlighted by five bas-reliefs depicting characteristic images of Northwest Vietnamese culture...

The A Pa Chai flagpole is an architectural work with profound historical, cultural, and political significance, and a symbol affirming the sacred territorial sovereignty of the Fatherland. It will serve as a key site for educating the younger generation about revolutionary traditions, contributing to the affirmation of national sovereignty in the border region.

At the same time, the project will become a highlight for the Dien Bien - A Pa Chai westernmost tourist route, creating momentum for the development of Dien Bien's tourism industry.

Comrade Le Thanh Do, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province, delivered a speech at the inauguration and plaque unveiling ceremony of the A Pa Chai Flagpole.

Expressing sincere gratitude to the leaders of central ministries and agencies, the leaders of the State Bank of Vietnam, and especially Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank for their continuous support and assistance to Dien Bien province in carrying out socio-economic development tasks in general and supporting the construction of the A Pa Chai flagpole, Mr. Le Thanh Do, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province, acknowledged and commended the efforts of the officers and soldiers of the Provincial Border Guard and other units in overcoming difficulties to construct the A Pa Chai flagpole, meeting technical and aesthetic requirements.

Comrade Le Thanh Do affirmed that the A Pa Chai flagpole, once completed, will be a tourism highlight of Muong Nha in particular and Dien Bien province in general, contributing to creating momentum to promote the development of tourism in Dien Bien province, making it a key economic sector.

Immediately after the plaque unveiling ceremony, officials and people of Dien Bien province solemnly held the first flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai flagpole. "When the national anthem was played at the westernmost border of the Fatherland, everyone turned towards the national flag with overwhelming emotion, their hearts beating in unison, sharing a common sense of national pride and boundless love for their homeland," Comrade Le Thanh Do emotionally stated.

Delegates and people of various ethnic groups along the border of Muong Nha district were deeply moved when witnessing the sacred flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai flagpole.

Delegates planted a commemorative tree in the grounds of the A Pa Chai Flagpole.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thieng-lieng-le-thuong-co-dau-tien-tai-cot-co-a-pa-chai-post877892.html