Amidst this historic atmosphere, the voice of narrator Phạm Thị Tình rings out with profound emotion as she stands before the wreckage of the Bazeille tank. The French gave it that name after a heroic village in the Franco-Prussian War, hoping to inspire their troops, yet history took a different turn. Phạm Thị Tình slows her pace, her eyes fixed on a small headstone nearby, as she explains that on the dawn of April 1, 1954, four of our soldiers destroyed this tank. They used bazookas to close in on the target through a thick curtain of bullets, breaking the enemy’s defense but ultimately sacrificing their lives.

“A white headstone with no name or birth year / No mention of a village or a home / As if everything coiled into a single blast / Hurled at the bunkers, the gun pits, and the tanks...”

For a moment, the atmosphere grows heavy with silence as the group of tourists stands still in remembrance. Bùi Văn Bình, a visitor from Hanoi, remarked that hearing these stories directly at the site of the old battlefield made him realize that this victory was far from easy, noting that there are people whose names remain unknown but whose presence is impossible to forget. This is exactly what narrators like Phạm Thị Tình strive for, as they attempt to retell history as a living story so that listeners can not only understand but truly feel the past. She recalled a time when she guided the daughter of a veteran; upon hearing the letters written by the previous generation before entering battle, the woman fell silent and wept in the middle of A1 Hill.

Another unforgettable memory for Phạm Thị Tình was welcoming the “Soldiers of Điện Biên” back to their old battlefield. Despite their white hair and slow, weak steps, some even needing physical assistance, none of the veterans wanted to stop halfway, persevering until they reached the summit of the hill. It was a journey back to memories and comrades. Standing on that peak, listening to the tales of the old battle, their eyes grew distant as some remained silent for a long time and others were choked with emotion. To the guides, this was not just a narration but the most vivid and authentic lesson of history, told by the very people who created it.

Leaving A1 Hill, the journey continues toward the General De Castries Bunker, once the “impenetrable” nerve center of the French stronghold. Here, Nguyễn Thùy Dương, an experienced guide, explains the bunker’s structure and the moment General de Castries was captured alive. She admitted that retelling history is complex, as the dense timelines and intricate military details can easily overwhelm listeners if not carefully refined. Therefore, she chooses a method of storytelling driven by imagery and emotion.

During peak tourist seasons, these narrators work with high intensity, coordinating with volunteers like Quàng Thị Thu Vân to ensure quality. Born in 2000 in Mường Phăng commune, Quàng Thị Thu Vân chose to stay in her hometown and tell its historical story. Since graduating in cultural tourism in 2023, she has served as a volunteer at the Mường Phăng Command Center. Although the work is unpaid, she values the experience and maturity it brings, as every tourist offers a new and interesting perspective on history.

The efforts of these “keepers of the flame” have contributed significantly to the impressive results of Điện Biên’s tourism sector. According to statistics, in the first three months of 2026, the number of visitors to historical relics reached over 73,500, a sharp increase from the 41,700 recorded in 2025. In total, the province welcomed 550,000 visitors, a 1.29-fold increase compared to the same period in 2025, including 3,943 international guests.

Nguyễn Anh Đạo, Director of the provincial Relic Management Board, stated that the board will implement various solutions to enhance the visitor experience. Along with traditional narration, they will promote “immersive” activities such as playing the role of a soldier or a laborer, participating in a “soldier’s meal,” or joining a march. They also plan to apply digital technology, including audio guides in multiple languages and virtual reality experiences, to attract more visitors, especially the youth.

Beside the advancement of technology, there are still people tirelessly working to keep the memories of “a Điện Biên Phủ renowned across five continents and shaking the globe” alive as an eternal epic in the flow of national history.