Dien Bien province is the northwestern tip of the country. Realizing the goal of turning tourism into a key economic sector, Dien Bien is promoting the development of the "smokeless" industry in the direction of professionalism, quality and efficiency.

Dien Bien is located on important national tourism corridors. The province has tourism potentials in terms of mountains, villages, a community of 19 ethnic groups living together with distinct and unique cultures and beliefs.

This is also an area with outstanding potential for eco-tourism, cultural tourism, historical tourism and border tourism. Therefore, Dien Bien is one of the key places for tourism development in the northern midlands and mountains in particular and the country in general.

Dien Bien province has advocated people-centered tourism development. Each person becomes a cultural messenger responsible for preserving and protecting the environment and landscape, because they are the source of life today and tomorrow.

Community-based tourism in Dien Bien attracts tourists and develops through maintaining brocade weaving. This activity has helped visitors understand more about the cultural identity of Dien Bien's ethnic groups. Tourists can also find and buy typical souvenirs of Dien Bien, made by the people themselves, such as: Pieu scarves, brocade bags, brocade blankets, and brocade dresses.

In addition, another type of community tourism is homestay service - accommodation service at local families. Visitors can immerse themselves and get drunk with the songs and dances through the unique traditional folk songs and dance performances of the ethnic groups.

Currently, the province has more than 10 cultural tourism villages. Annually, the local government invests strongly in and guides these villages how to develop community tourism. Accordingly, the models in the community tourism villages all have similarities, from building traditional cultural houses, dining halls, and festival grounds to serve the community to solidly building the main roads leading into the villages and to decorating houses, then displaying artifacts, food and lodging services, cultural and artistic exchanges, etc. All of these clearly demonstrate national cultural identity and regional characteristics.

The above information shows that Dien Bien tourism potential is being awakened and exploited more and more deeply. Thanks to that, in 2023, Dien Bien hit the milestone of welcoming 1 million tourists, bringing total revenue from tourism activities to over 1,700 billion VND, an increase of nearly 27% compared to 2022.

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Phu, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien province, the milestone of 1 million tourist arrivals and the promotional activities that have been implemented will create a steady growth momentum for the tourism industry in the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024.

"The number of 1 million tourists coming to Dien Bien is a very good sign, although recently Dien Bien airport had to be temporarily suspended for upgrades and repairs. The results came from the concern, leadership, direction, and extremely responsible and active participation of the entire political system, the improved awareness of the social community and people about tourism,’ Mr. Minh Phu said.

In order to promote the natural beauty, culture, and tourism potential, gradually affirming the Dien Bien tourism brand, the province has organized many activities associated with the cultural identity of people and nature.

Prominent among them is the Hoa Ban Festival held in the middle of March every year, along with many attractive cultural activities that have attracted a large number of tourists to the friendly and hospitable land of Dien Bien.

With the theme "Glory of Dien Bien Phu - Endless Experience", in 2024 Dien Bien is honored to be chosen as the locality to host the National Tourism Year. This is a condition and opportunity for Dien Bien tourism industry to "take off", become a key economic sector, create a breakthrough in socio-economic development, and continue to improve the material and spiritual life of people.

PV