In spite of the scorching April heat, throngs from all corners of the country persist in their pilgrimage to the ancient battlefield of Điện Biên Phủ, driven by a deep sense of gratitude and pride. Ascending one by one, they pay homage at the Martyrs' Temple on the battlefield. Already, it's the third group of the morning climbing the steep stairs to the Temple with tour guide Thùy Dương. Yet, within every word of her introduction, the narrator from the Provincial Heritage Management Board of Điện Biên is still imbued with emotion.

Clad in traditional Thai ethnic attire, petite in stature, Dương leads the group to pause before the Temple's distinctive designs, each detail bearing its own significance and tale. Before the entrance to the tunnel leading from the meditation pond into the Temple's main chamber, Dương's voice resonates—sometimes solemn, sometimes lofty—as she speaks: "We observe that the two sides of the tunnel entrance are designed grandly, like interlocking chains, symbolising the fortitude of the Điện Biên Phủ stronghold erected by the French army. Our Vietnamese soldiers sought victory and had to surmount such trials and perils. This tunnel is akin to a gateway of life and death, traversing nine deaths to attain one life, exemplifying the intensity of the battle, where each step may be irreversible..."

The tunnel, though not lengthy, envelops visitors in pitch darkness, a stark contrast to the blazing sun outside. Each guest admires every detail, silently traversing the passage in contemplation and admiration, evoking memories of the intense wartime days, yet embodying the "unyielding spirit, the unwavering determination" of our ancestors.

At the Điện Biên Phủ Historical Victory Museum, narrators and guides dedicate themselves to every word of guidance for each group of visitors. Despite the museum's daily influx of thousands of visitors during peak seasons, sometimes extending opening hours into the evening to accommodate demand, narrators and guides consistently work overtime while maintaining professionalism. Lò Thị Kim, buoyed by joy and pride as a native of the heroic Điện Biên homeland, triumphs over work pressures. Infusing her narration with pride, Kim channels the emotions and heroic spirit of the campaign into every word. She shares: "In addition to researching and collecting materials, intriguing stories, and the symbolism associated with artifacts to evoke deeper emotions and interest among listeners, I also prioritise tailoring narration, guidance, tone, and expression to suit each visitor group (students, young people, the elderly, veterans...). Many visiting groups have engaged and praised, further fueling my pride and determination to contribute to leaving a lasting impression alongside profound historical narratives, easily etching into the minds of visitors far and wide."

In addition to providing information on historical developments and prominent figures, which are essential when discussing specific relics or artifacts, narrators and guides actively seek out valuable details and touching stories from witnesses and reputable sources to enrich their narratives. For instance, recently, a military doctor bride held her wedding ceremony right at the De Castries Tunnel following the complete victory on May 7th. Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Toản returned to Điện Biên for this occasion, warmly welcomed by provincial heritage management officials who listened attentively to her additional details, sharing thoughts and emotions. These encounters provide real-life materials and stories to further engage visitors.

In addition to these storytelling methods, many narrators and guides incorporate appropriate quotations from poetic passages and famous texts closely associated with the campaign, imbuing their narratives with the heroic spirit of national history to evoke emotions and foster a sense of closeness among visitors.

During the National Tourism Year - Điện Biên 2024 and the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the former battlefields consistently attract large crowds of tourists. During peak times, the Điện Biên Phủ Historical Victory Museum welcomes nearly 7,000 visitors per day, while the relics in the complex, including Hill A1, De Castries Tunnel, Hill D1 - Victory Monument, Hill F - Martyrs' Temple, Command Headquarters of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, and the artillery hauling path, receive over 10,000 visitors daily. To accommodate this influx, the Heritage Management Board has provided instruction, training, and support to over 30 volunteers, including student narrators and local residents, to serve visitors attentively.

Whether professional narrators or volunteers, they share a common goal: to bridge the past and present, conveying profound historical stories filled with emotion to visitors from all walks of life. In doing so, they contribute to spreading the spirit of national pride and further illuminating the eternal flame of revolution.