Besides the historical tourism strength, Dien Bien also has potential in wellness tourism, with its hot mineral spring system, invested homestays, ecological tourism, and experiences of the cultural identity of 19 ethnic groups. (Photo: VGP)

Historical sites such as A1 Hill, De Castries Bunker, Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument, Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum, Muong Phang Campaign Command, and the Martyrs' Memorial at the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, etc, have been invested in construction and renovation to meet the demand for historical exploration of numerous domestic and international tourists.

Besides the historical tourism strength, Dien Bien also has potential in wellness tourism, with its hot mineral spring system, invested homestays, ecological tourism, and experiences of the cultural identity of 19 ethnic groups.

Opportunity for a breakthrough

Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, regards Dien Bien as a "star" of the Northwest region with advantages in air travel and highways that are being invested.

Currently, Dien Bien is the only province in the Northwest with an airport connecting to Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally, the road transportation system connecting provinces in the region is being invested in and expanded...

To further promote the role of Dien Bien tourism in linking and creating momentum for the development of tourism in the Northwest region, in 2024, Dien Bien province has been honored to be chosen as the host for the National Tourism Year 2024 with the theme “Glorious Dien Bien Phu – Infinite Experiences”.

During the year, there will be 169 programs and events taking place, including 13 national programs and events organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, central ministries, and agencies; Dien Bien province will organize 28 programs and events, activities; 128 events and activities will be organized by 33 provinces and centrally governed cities.

According to Mr. Ha Van Sieu, the tourism administration along with Dien Bien has planned the content for the entire National Tourism Year 2024, including the research for tourism trends, attracting investment, and conditions to exploit the potential and advantages of Dien Bien's tourism.

In this regard, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism is actively supporting Dien Bien in promoting tourism at various forums, events, and significant tourism programs domestically and internationally.

He emphasized: "The necessary conditions have been significantly improved. This is an opportunity that Dien Bien is seizing to create a breakthrough for local tourism in particular, and for the Northwest in general in the coming time".

Sharing the same view, Mrs. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, believes that through the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 event, the values and potential of Dien Bien tourism in particular, the Northwest region, and Vietnam's tourism in general will be converged, promoted, and effectively publicized, contributing to the goal of making tourism a key economic sector.

This year, Dien Bien aims to attract about 1.3 million visitors to explore and visit. (Photo: Vnxpress)

A breakthrough for economic and social development

Mr. Vu A Bang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province, excitedly shared that the National Tourism Year 2024 is the most important tourism event of the year.

The organization of the National Tourism Year 2024, associated with the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (07/5/1954 - 07/5/2024), is expected to be an important driving force for the socio-economic development in general and for Dien Bien's tourism in particular. This would create conditions to attract resources for development investment, building new attractive products, contributing to the economic and social development momentum of the province in 2024 and the following years.

Mr. Vu A Bang said: "We hope that hosting the National Tourism Year 2024 will contribute to the economic and social development breakthrough for Dien Bien. Particularly, it is gradually making tourism play an important role in eradicating poverty and improving the material life of the people of Dien Bien province".

With a series of 169 events throughout the National Tourism Year, according to the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province, these will be key activities to promote the image and people of Dien Bien. Thereby, gradually realizing the desire to make the province an attractive destination for tourists, not just a stop in the Northwest.

To organize the National Tourism Year 2024, Dien Bien has been ready to prepare for important activities such as the opening ceremony, building specific and detailed plans for each activity content by month, by quarter, continuously from January to December, associated with the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

In parallel, Dien Bien focuses on developing a variety of tourism products, notably those associated with history such as exploring the Dien Bien Phu battlefield special national relic.

This year, Dien Bien aims to attract about 1.3 million visitors to explore and visit.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Chuyen, Deputy Director General of Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said that within the first months of the year, the province had organized many typical activities and events such as: Northwest Culture - Tourism Week in Thanh Hoa, Ha Noi, and Ho Chi Minh City; the 9th Swallowtail Boat Racing Festival; the 4th National Paragliding Club Championship, 2024; Dien Bien Tourism Promotion Conference in Muong Lay town and Dien Bien Phu Cherry Blossom Festival 2024...

The organization of these activities has contributed to bringing the number of tourists to Dien Bien in the first 2 months of the year to 400,000 people, with a revenue of over 400 billion VND. These are positive signals, helping Dien Bien fulfill its goal of welcoming and serving more than 1.3 million visitors this year.