Dien Bien is a mountainous, border province, with a natural area of 9,562.9km2, which is far from Vietnam’s major economic centers, so it faces many difficulties.

However, its potentials such as forest resources and forest land, minerals, hydroelectricity, tourism, especially historical tourism and cultural identities of ethnic groups have created Dien Bien's unique attraction. In particular, the national relic complex of Dien Bien Phu battlefield is a distinct advantage for Dien Bien to develop tourism.

In addition, the Tay Trang international border gate and its border gate economic zone along with a number of other border gates with Laos, the A Pa Chai opening connects with Yunnan province (China), and a planned trans-Asia road which will pass through the area will create opportunities to develop the border gate economy, expand international trade, tourism and services.

To turn potentials into motivation, turn challenges into development advantages, Resolution No. 03 of the Provincial Party Executive Committee on tourism development in Dien Bien province to 2025, orientation to 2030 defines tourism as a key economic sector, a driving force for growth and economic restructuring for the entire province.

Based on its potentials and available advantages, Dien Bien province has been implementing synchronous solutions to develop tourism, to turn Dien Bien into an attractive tourist destination of the Northern midlands and mountainous region by 2025. The province aims to welcome 1.3 million tourists in 2024, earning a total tourism revenue of about 2,200 billion VND.

The local government is focusing on the implementation of programs and projects to beautify urban areas, preserve and promote the values of cultural identities of ethnic groups and special National Historical Relics of Dien Bien Phu Battlefield, tourism infrastructure projects that are part of the overall project of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024). These are important premises and driving forces for the province's tourism to take off in the coming time.

Activities of the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 are expected to contribute to promoting socio-economic development of the entire province. This is an opportunity for Dien Bien to actively call for and promote investment for comprehensive innovation, creating breakthroughs in socio-economic development, and continuing to improve the material and spiritual lives of the people. The event will also contribute to stimulating domestic and international tourism, restoring tourism activities in new normal conditions, facilitating the development of tourism into a key economic sector and turning Dien Bien into one of the tourism centers of the Northern midlands and mountainous region.

To prepare for the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024, the province has carried out a plan to upgrade and develop essential transport and urban infrastructure works, new urban areas, tourist areas and destinations; to encourage upgrading and expanding the scale of tourist accommodation establishments, restaurants, and shopping establishments to serve tourists; to restore and embellish cultural and historical relics, especially the Special National Historical Site of Dien Bien Phu Battlefield.

The province also organized Culture and Tourism Weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Thanh Hoa... to promote the image of Dien Bien tourism; promoting propaganda and introduction of National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 on mass media, electronic information sites and social networking sites; and welcome famtrip groups to survey tourism products and destinations in Dien Bien province.

In addition, the province has organized training programs for civil servants and public employees in the field of tourism; training classes to raise awareness, tourism skills, foreign languages, specialized knowledge for managers, service staff, and workers of travel businesses, especially tour guides; developing and implementing plans to organize typical events and activities in 2024 such as the Boat Racing Festival and the 4th National Paragliding Club Championship 2024; the Cherry Blossom Festival, Hoa Ban Festival and the Opening Ceremony of National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024.

With the initiative in preparation, it is hoped that the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 and activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory will be held successfully.

To turn Dien Bien into an attractive tourist destination of the northern midland and mountainous region, Dien Bien’s tourism development orientation to 2025, orientation to 2030 clearly states: Developing tourism into a key economic sector of the province on the basis of effectively exploiting potentials, with the main pillars of historical - spiritual tourism; national cultural identity tourism, exploring natural landscapes; resort, entertainment, and wellness tourism. The cultural heritage of 19 ethnic groups in Dien Bien will continue to play an important role in tourism development, making the industry industry a spearhead of the province.

Hien Linh