During the September 2 National Day holiday, numerous new destinations and products were introduced to serve visitors, providing travelers with more choices and contributing to extending journeys of exploration in Điện Biên.

Amid the festive atmosphere of the holiday, Sín Thầu commune organized the opening of tourism activities at the Border Junction Marker between Vietnam, Laos, and China and the A Pa Chải Flag Tower. Atop Khoang La San mountain, at an altitude of 1,866m above sea level, the three-country Border Junction Marker is a destination carrying exceptional value, associated with the evocative imagery of “one rooster’s crow heard across three nations.” Alongside the A Pa Chải Flag Tower, where the red flag with a gold star flutters amid mountain forests, this site forms a hallmark in the journey to conquer the westernmost point of the Fatherland. Right on opening day, hundreds of local residents and tourists arrived to visit and experience the site.

Following the journey traversing frontier routes, many travelers captured memories through photos at the base of the flag tower and with the commemorative badge “Conquered the Westernmost Point of the Fatherland.” Nguyễn Quốc Khánh, a visitor from Tây Ninh province, shared: “This is my first time in A Pa Chải. I am thrilled to have reached the three-country Border Junction Marker and the A Pa Chải Flag Tower. The road was long, but stepping foot here makes everything completely worthwhile. The scenery is magnificent, the atmosphere pleasant, and the local people are exceptionally friendly and hospitable, leaving me with lasting memories.”

Officially putting the destination into service opens additional opportunities to develop services across the border zone. Đặng Thành Huy, Secretary of the Party Committee of Sín Thầu commune, noted: “A Pa Chải’s appeal lies in the landscape, culture, and historical value of the frontier land; therefore, the locality will develop tourism along green pathways suited to practical conditions. The locality directs tourism development tied to cultural preservation, environmental protection, and maintaining national defense and security, while progressively developing accommodation, cuisine, job creation, and the consumption of agricultural produce and OCOP products.”

Along with A Pa Chải, on this year’s National Day, Điện Biên put multiple new activities and experiential spaces into operation. Within the framework of the 2026 Folk Dance Festival, hot-air balloon flights were organized for the first time in Điện Biên, offering visitors an alternative perspective overlooking the city and the Mường Thanh fields. Phạm Xuân Trường, a tourist from Hanoi, enthusiastically shared: “Looking down from above, Điện Biên appears exceptionally beautiful and tranquil. A heroic, historical land is transforming day by day. I hope there will be more activities like this in the future so travelers get to know Điện Biên.”

The Folk Dance Festival, together with exchange and experiential programs during this occasion, attracted nearly 50,000 participant turns. Combining cultural and artistic events with experiential activities has added appeal to destinations while expanding spaces for tourists to explore Điện Biên.

During the September 2 National Day holiday, the Tù Lu - Tìa Ló community tourism cultural village in Pu Nhi commune was inaugurated, adding a new destination for visitors to learn about ethnic lifestyles and cultures. From accommodation and culinary spaces to traditional crafts, customs, and community activities, these offerings have enriched the experiential itineraries of tourists in Điện Biên.

The introduction of newly operational activities and destinations demonstrates that Điện Biên’s tourism development path is gradually shifting from simple sightseeing to experiencing, discovering, and interacting with local landscapes, culture, and daily life. When invested systematically, organized on a regular basis, and tied to the distinctive advantages of each area, new tourism products will generate added appeal and extend lengths of stay, while expanding opportunities for local people to participate in and benefit from tourism.

During the 5-day National Day holiday, Điện Biên welcomed approximately 55,000 visitor arrivals. The allure of new destinations and products demonstrates an increasingly clear demand for refreshed travel experiences. This also serves as the basis for the culture, sports, and tourism sector alongside localities to continue perfecting products, organizing regular operations, and creating more spaces for residents to participate in and benefit from tourism, ensuring every visitor enjoys a memorable experience upon arriving in Điện Biên.