In 2024, Điện Biên Province is hosting the National Tourism Year and commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. This marks a significant event, not only for the province but for the entire country.

With an expected influx of 1.3 million tourists, particularly during the launch of the National Tourism Year and the Ban Flower Festival, the province is witnessing a surge in visitor numbers.

At Điện Biên Airport, passenger traffic has skyrocketed, with airlines reporting fully booked flights and a continuous upward trend expected in the days ahead.

Many tourists from major cities like Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh City have reported the necessity of booking tickets at least a week in advance.

Nguyễn Hương Giang, a tourist from Hà Nội, shared her experience: “This year, with Điện Biên hosting the National Tourism Year, my friends and I planned a trip there. Given our limited vacation time, we opted to fly, but securing tickets proved challenging due to the surge in passengers and fewer flight options compared to other routes. Consequently, we had to book our tickets a week ahead of time.”

Unlike Giang, after many attempts to buy plane tickets, Nguyễn Thế Như's family had to travel by road to Điện Biên Province and could only book tickets for the return flight.

Như said it is very difficult to find flights at this time if tickets have not been purchased in advance. Since the family already had prior appointments in Điện Biên Province, they decided to travel by bus instead of waiting to buy plane tickets.

Although traveling by bus takes more time, it is also an opportunity to experience, he said.

Điện Biên Airport resumed operations on December 2, 2023, after a period of upgrades, with an average of 10 flights to Điện Biên Province per week.

Among them, there are 7 flights daily for the Hà Nội-Điện Biên route operated by Vietnam Airlines, and the HCM City-Điện Biên route is operated by Vietjet Airlines with 3 flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Since early March, Vietjet Airlines has added three more flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to the Hà Nội-Điện Biên route. However, in recent days, the flights have been fully booked due to a remarkably increasing number of passengers traveling to Điện Biên.

Statistics from the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism indicate that in January and February, Điện Biên welcomed 230,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue exceeding VNĐ400 billion.

On March 16, the day of the opening ceremony for Điện Biên’s National Tourism Year and the Ban Flower Festival 2024, approximately 10,000 tourists visited the province, with a significant number arriving by air.

In response to the increased travel demand, airlines have doubled the frequency of flights to Điện Biên since March 6. Vietnam Airlines is also the official transportation sponsor of Điện Biên’s National Tourism Year and the Ban Flower Festival in 2024.

Lò Thị Yên, Director of Điện Biên Airport, noted that in light of the ongoing activities for the provincial National Tourism Year and the Ban Flower Festival, which commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet have increased flight frequencies between Hà Nội and HCM City to Điện Biên and vice versa.

Currently, there are 3 to 5 flights per day, comprising 2 to 4 flights on the Hà Nội-Điện Biên-Hà Nội route and 1 flight on the HCM City-Điện Biên-HCM City route.

Since the expansion and upgrade of Điện Biên Airport, which can now accommodate large aircraft such as the A321, passenger traffic has surged. For instance, the Hà Nội-Điện Biên route operated by Vietnam Airlines has witnessed a two to threefold increase in passengers over the past three months.

By the end of 2023, nearly 500 passengers were departing and arriving in Điện Biên each day. Presently, the average daily passenger traffic through Điện Biên Airport exceeds 1,000 passengers.

To efficiently cater to the growing travel demand and uphold passenger safety, Điện Biên Airport has devised peak service plans, ensuring adequate human resources and equipment for flight services. The collaboration among Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Điện Biên Airport has garnered high praise from passengers since the airport resumed operations.

Điện Biên’s National Tourism Year, marking the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, showcases 169 programs and activities throughout 2024. Alongside the noteworthy festival events, Điện Biên Province invites tourists to explore its historical sites and experience the rich cultural diversity of its 19 ethnic groups.