Located nearly 20km from Điện Biên Phủ ward, the Mường Pồn relic in Mường Pồn commune is an integral part of the special national complex. It marks the heroic historical event of December 6, 1953, when hero Bế Văn Đàn bravely used his own body as a gun rest to enable his comrades to attack and destroy the enemy. Today, beyond the responsibility of functional agencies, the residents of Mường Pồn 1 village have voluntarily taken up the mantle of protecting and promoting the site’s value.

Vì Văn Khiên, the head of Mường Pồn 1 village, shared that because the relic is situated in the middle of a field, the village frequently mobilizes residents to participate in its protection. Cleaning and maintenance tasks are assigned periodically to the youth union. Households farming in the surrounding areas are highly conscious of their responsibility, ensuring they do not infringe upon or negatively impact the relic area. Thanks to this community synergy, the site is always kept clean and beautiful, serving as a landmark for educating younger generations on patriotism and national pride.

In reality, the causes of encroachment primarily stem from land pressure, economic development needs, and the fact that relic boundaries were previously not clearly defined. Without specific landmarks or complete legal documentation, management can easily fall into overlap and become difficult to control. To safeguard these sites, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has implemented various solutions, identifying community dissemination as a core task.

Every year, the Relic Management Board organizes communication sessions and distributes publications and leaflets to residential areas bordering the relics so that residents clearly understand the land limits. When the public understands the legal regulations and the inherent value of the heritage, they proactively participate in its protection. Parallel to these efforts, the province has issued management regulations and is refining new rules to align with the Law on Cultural Heritage. Projects for zoning, boundary marking, site clearance, and granting land use certificates for the relics are currently being deployed. Once boundaries are physically established on-site, any encroachment can be easily detected and handled promptly.

Currently, the province oversees one special national relic consisting of 46 component sites managed by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, alongside 14 national relics and 20 provincial relics managed by commune-level People’s Committees. Of the 46 sites belonging to the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, all have been designated as Protection Zone I, 31 points have Protection Zone II, 28 points have been marked with physical boundaries, and 24 points possess full scientific dossiers.

Significantly, on January 19, 2026, the Prime Minister approved the master plan for the preservation, restoration, and recovery of the special national historical relic of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield. The scope of this planning includes various locations such as Điện Biên Phủ and Mường Thanh wards, as well as the communes of Mường Phăng, Mường Pồn, Thanh Nưa, Thanh Yên, Thanh An, Quài Tở, Tuần Giáo, and Búng Lao.

Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, emphasized that this planning serves as a vital legal corridor and a long-term orientation to preserve the original elements of the relics. It focuses on organizing spatial architecture and landscapes reasonably while developing a synchronized and modern infrastructure. This serves as the foundation for the sustainable conservation of a unique national heritage, safeguarding sacred values for present and future generations. Moving forward, the department will continue to coordinate with local authorities to raise awareness regarding the Land Law and the Law on Cultural Heritage, publicly announce planning details, and control the architecture of buffer zones to ensure that surrounding constructions do not disrupt the historical landscape.