Hill D1 is directly associated with the Victory Monument, located at the center of Điện Biên Phủ Ward, offering a panoramic view of the Điện Biên basin. Highlights of the site include the bronze statue complex, the central square, and the grand stone relief, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, depicting the entire Điện Biên Phủ Campaign from strategic planning and preparation to its glorious victory.

Measuring 58 meters long and 7.5 meters high, the relief was created from 217 green stone slabs weighing nearly 400 tons, mounted on a curved reinforced concrete wall. It stands as a key highlight in visitors’ journeys through the relic complex, symbolizing history, culture, and the indomitable spirit of the army and people during the campaign. However, for years, it remained overlooked due to lack of information and trees blocking the view. To address this, the Site Management Board removed obstructing trees, improved the surrounding space, and regularly planted flowers and trimmed ornamental plants at the foot of the relief.

At the ticket area and around the monument grounds, the Board has installed solid barriers to prevent motorbikes from entering, improving order, safety, and aesthetics. Nguyễn Thị Hương, a local resident, shared: “I often walk to the Victory Monument. In the past, when there were no barriers, students riding motorbikes or bicycles at high speed created real danger. Since the barriers were installed, both residents and visitors feel much safer and more reassured.”

To further enhance the site, the Department is replacing signage and explanatory boards at the monument and other relics with uniform models. At the Hill D1 square, fixed sunshades have been swapped for mobile canopy systems, improving the site’s appearance. Broken stone benches have been replaced and trash bins arranged more systematically to ensure a green, clean, and welcoming environment.

Phạm Thị Thảo, Deputy Director of the Site Management Board, noted: “In the coming time, we will continue upgrading signage across relic sites, maintaining landscape improvements, planting flowers and ornamental trees to create visual highlights, and designing new check-in points. At the same time, we will step up promotion and communication about the province’s tourist destinations.”

As one of the “red addresses” for historical education, the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The ongoing improvements not only enhance visitor experience but also reaffirm the responsibility of preserving and promoting the enduring value of this historic relic.