The organization of exploitation, interpretation, and historical storytelling through this system is becoming a highly persuasive visual educational method, contributing to a vivid reconstruction of the developments of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign.

Currently, the provincial Relic Management Board manages, exploits, and promotes the values of dozens of component relic sites within the Special National Relic complex of Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, including prominent locations such as Hill A1, General De Castries’ command bunker, the Campaign Command Post in Mường Phăng commune, and Hill A1, Him Lam, and Độc Lập Martyrs’ Cemeteries. These locations serve as coordinates of memory preserved according to scientific principles, combining original preservation with interpretive displays to ensure historical authenticity and long-term educational value. A team of guides is permanently stationed at these sites, playing the role of historical storytellers who lead the public to approach the past through a vivid and emotional lens.

During this year’s April 30 and May 1 holiday, the Special National Relic sites of Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield became meaningful destinations, attracting a large number of tourists and citizens to visit, offer incense, and learn about history. Amidst the flow of people returning to their roots, groups of students from various schools across the province created a special experiential space where history is learned through direct perception rather than dry textbooks. At these sites, students listen to presentations about the campaign’s progress, including timelines, combat tactics, the art of battlefield arrangement, and the fighting spirit of our army and people. Stories of key battles, the sacrifices of soldiers in the trenches, and nights of pulling artillery or digging tunnels appear specifically through each landmark and trace.

The authenticity of the relic space combined with image-rich interpretation has helped history become accessible, easy to receive, and deeply moving. Many students were emotional when offering incense at martyrs’ cemeteries for the first time, thereby forming a deeper awareness of the value of independence and freedom. On the occasion of the holiday, the Mầm Xòe dance group from Điện Biên Phủ ward experienced a practical trip to the Campaign Command Post in Mường Phăng commune. Here, the children transformed into soldiers of the past by wearing military uniforms, participating in historical games, and experiencing battlefield meals with rice balls and sesame salt. This activity created a highly interactive educational space, helping children approach history with both their senses and emotions.

Phạm Linh Dương, who is in charge of the Mầm Xòe dance group in Điện Biên Phủ ward, shared that the visit and experience provided the children with many special emotions. When directly wearing soldier uniforms, participating in historical activities, and experiencing a soldier’s meal, the children showed great excitement and interest. Through these activities, history becomes closer and easier for them to understand, and it is heartening that not only the children but also the accompanying parents gained more knowledge and deeper feelings about the heroic past of the nation.

From a tourist’s perspective, the value of the relic system does not stop at sightseeing but is also a journey of gratitude and reflection. Nguyễn Văn Sang, a tourist from Hà Nội, shared that during this trip, he visited most of the important relic sites of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield. Each place evoked moving stories about the resilient fighting spirit and great sacrifice of previous generations for the independence and freedom of the nation. Witnessing historical landmarks directly made him appreciate the value of peace today even more while feeling proud of the tradition of solidarity and the indomitable will of the Vietnamese people.

After more than seven decades, in May 2026, Julie Piroth, a fourth-generation descendant of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Piroth, who was the artillery commander of the Điện Biên Phủ entrenched camp, performed a transcontinental journey to find the place where her great-grandfather committed suicide on the night of March 15, 1954. Amidst the quiet space of historical witnesses, Julie Piroth solemnly placed a wreath and spent moments in silent contemplation. Sharing her emotions, Julie Piroth expressed that she does not feel resentment as everything belonged to a certain historical moment. She respects her great-grandfather while understanding that this victory was the right thing for the Vietnamese people. In her journey back to history, Julie Piroth visited prominent relics of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, notably entering the office room at General De Castries’ command bunker, the command bunker of the former entrenched camp, which was associated with her great-grandfather during the battle. The narrow, reinforced space of the command bunker acted like a time capsule preserving life-and-death decisions of a historical period.

Julie Piroth stated that she was truly impressed by the way history is preserved there, noting that everything is kept very clearly and vividly. She learned more about what happened and appreciated that soldiers from both Vietnam and France are remembered. For her, it was a significant lesson in will and determination, as achieving independence is a great goal that she believes the Vietnamese people have accomplished. She believes that the memory of her great-grandfather will remain, alongside the memory of all those who fell there, and emphasized that the most important thing is to remember the past to cherish peace today.

According to statistics from the provincial Relic Management Board, during this year’s holiday, the relic sites welcomed 18,083 domestic visitors and 37 international visitors. This figure reflects the increasing attraction of historical and cultural tourism in Điện Biên province. Particularly, schools organizing visits and experiences at the relics show that the trend of integrating historical education with practice is being prioritized, contributing to the formation of a generation of citizens with historical awareness and social responsibility.

To meet the increasing demand for visits, the provincial Relic Management Board has implemented synchronous management and service solutions, including arranging professional guides, organizing incense offerings, providing guidance for experiences, and implementing fee exemption and reduction policies according to regulations. Security, order, and environmental hygiene are prioritized to create a safe and friendly destination image.

The storytelling of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign through the relic system is a systematic historical interpretation process that combines conservation, education, and tourism development. Through the flow of time, these “red addresses” continue to promote their role as memory milestones, contributing to building cultural identity, nurturing patriotism, and spreading historical values to present and future generations.