Having officially opened during the 2026 Bauhinia Festival, the Mường Thanh Walking Street initially drew large numbers of residents and tourists through its cultural spaces, culinary offerings, OCOP products, and traditional crafts. These elements created a new highlight in the tourism landscape of the center of Điện Biên Phủ ward. However, following that initial peak, the rhythm of activity has slowed down significantly, with few groups of tourists remaining for sightseeing or photography. From another perspective, this current quietness is considered understandable for a new model in a mountainous province that is still in the process of refining its infrastructure and services.

The Mường Thanh Walking Street is planned within the Mường Thanh New Urban Area and Tourism Market, running alongside the Nậm Rốm River. With the vision of becoming a center for entertainment, cuisine, and nightlife, it was expected to be a space that connects commercial activities with cultural experiences. While stalls have been arranged along both sides of the street for displaying and selling local products and highland specialties, field observations show that most of these booths have not yet commenced operations. Outside of the festival period, the space has not yet formed a bustling trading environment, which leaves the experience for visitors somewhat incomplete.

Visitors like Nguyễn Văn Hùng from Hanoi appreciate the wide and pleasant space for walking but suggest that more regular cultural activities and specialty stalls from Điện Biên would make the evenings much more attractive. Similarly, local resident Lò Thị Mai recalls the vibrant atmosphere of the opening days and believes that maintaining weekend programs, such as music or food festivals, would encourage people to return more frequently. From a business perspective, Nguyễn Văn Hào maintains his trade throughout the week and hopes for a more stable flow of visitors to ensure his business remains viable, noting that the street will surely become lively again if more attractions are introduced.

Recently, efforts like street music exchanges and weekend concerts have begun to create initial highlights for the walking street. Furthermore, the park area connecting to the Nậm Rốm riverbank is nearing completion, which will expand the experiential space once all items are put into use. Since the project is in its early stages of operation, it requires more time to perfect both its infrastructure and its scheduled activities to truly become a destination that creates a lasting impression.

Key factors for future success include organizing ethnic cultural performances, street art exchanges, and themed weekend events to breathe life into the space. Establishing a specialized food zone that introduces the authentic flavors of Điện Biên is also a priority, as it allows tourists to enjoy local cuisine while immersing themselves in the culture. Dương Thu Vân, a representative of the SMART CITY Infrastructure Investment JSC, the project’s investor, stated that the management and organization of activities are being perfected as the company focuses on completing parks, playgrounds, and outdoor fitness equipment to expand relaxation spaces for residents.

Future plans also involve utilizing the water surface of the Nậm Rốm River for activities like flower lantern floating on weekends to create a unique atmosphere. To foster a synchronized service system, the investor is calling for organizations and individuals to participate in tourism businesses by offering support through rental and cooperative models. As stalls are filled and products become more diverse, the walking street will gradually develop its own vitality, providing local people with opportunities to introduce their products and increase their income in line with the model’s original goals.

In the overall master plan, the Mường Thanh Walking Street is expected to become a modern and vibrant “community stage” reflecting Northwest cultural colors. This direction aligns with the trend of developing nightlife tourism and enriching urban life in Điện Biên. The current quiet period is seen as a necessary transition phase while the community forms new habits. With a solid foundation and the timely addition of services, the street aims to firmly establish itself as a prominent destination for both domestic and international tourists once the space is fully activated with rich experiences.