Trần Khánh An

ĐIỆN BIÊN – The National Tourism Year 2024, taking place in Điện Biên Province, is a significant socio-economic event on a national and international scale, especially associated with the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory.

“The National Tourism Year 2024 holds particular significance for Điện Biên province’s breakthrough development of tourism, and creating motivation for socio-economic development," Nguyễn Minh Phú, Director of Điện Biên’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism told Việt Nam News. 

“We have carefully prepared for The National Tourism Year 2024 by organising Điện Biên Festival Day in HCM City and Hà Nội, delivering impressive values to the citizens,” he added. 

Điện Biên Province has organised numerous events since the end of the year 2023 to prepare for the national tourism year. 

Điện Biên province organises the 9th Swallowtail Boat Racing Festival and the 4th National Paragliding Club Championship at Mường Lay Town from December 31, 2023 to January 3, 2024.

Besides, leaders of the provincial People’s Committee and Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with experts, enterprises and units working in tourist industries, joined the Conference of Tourism Promotion 2024 in Điện Biên Province held in Mường Lay Town on Monday. 

The conference aimed to promote Điện Biên’s tourism products and services, as well as enhance cooperation between Điện Biên and other provinces, cities and tourism units. 

Vừ A Bằng, Vice Chairman of the Điện Biên People's Committee, highlighted that the authorities aim to develop tourism as a leading economic sector in Điện Biên in the future.

“The province authorities have persistently upheld three central pillars in the tourism sector: historical-spiritual tourism, cultural tourism integrated with exploring natural landscapes, and ecotourism integrated with sports and entertainment,” he said. 

Vừ A Bằng (first, right), Vice Chairman of Điện Biên People’s Committee, talks with delegates at the conference on Điện Biên Tourism Promotion 2024. VNS Photo Trần Khánh An

Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism and Điện Biên’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism co-organised a fam trip at the beginning of 2024, inviting experts, enterprises and units working in tourism to experience Điện Biên’s tourist products and services. 

“We hope to receive constructive criticism from tourism experts, therefore, we can develop suitable tour routes and attract visitors to Điện Biên,” Đặng Minh Phương, Vice Director of Điện Biên Province Tourism Promotion Information Centre, told Việt Nam News. 

Điện Biên Province is the only province that has borders with both Laos and China, with numerous breathtaking scenic spots. 

The province's 19 ethnic groups have distinctive, traditional values and mesmerising cultural heritage that support the growth of community-based and cultural tourism. Xòe Thái dance and Then singing practice are included in UNESCO's list of the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The province currently has 33 historical relics, most of which are associated with the renowned historic Điện Biên Phủ victory.

Điện Biên is also the only province in the Northwest with an airport connecting to both Hà Nội and HCM City, which is now upgraded into a large airport qualified for A321 aircraft operations. 

Điện Biên Province organises the 9th Swallowtail Boat Racing Festival and the 4th National Paragliding Club Championship at Mường Lay Town from December 31, 2023 to January 3, 2024. VNS Photo Trần Khánh An

The Opening Ceremony of The National Tourism Year 2024 will take place together with the Ban Flower Festival in March 2024 in Điện Biên Phủ City.

Điện Biên province is expected to host 169 events, with 33 national and 28 provincial events, besides 128 programmes with the participation of 33 provinces and cities throughout the country. 

The province aims to welcome 1.3 million tourists by 2024 with the total revenue from tourism activities reaching US$91 million.

“We strive to make Điện Biên Province become a tourism destination, instead of just a stopover,” said the Vice Chairman of the Điện Biên People's Committee. – VNS