The Điện Biên Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism highlighted that the National Tourism Year 2024 is a significant cultural, economic, and social event on a national scale. Throughout the year, a total of 169 programs and events are scheduled, including 13 national-level events organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, as well as other ministries and central agencies. Điện Biên Province will lead 28 programmes, with the remaining 128 hosted by 33 provinces and cities.

The highlight of the National Tourism Year – Điện Biên 2024 is the opening ceremony closely intertwined with the Ban Flower Festival 2024. This festival, themed "Returning to the Ban Flower region," is set to take place on March 16 at Square 7-5 in Điện Biên Phủ City, featuring special art performances and a high-altitude fireworks display on the evening of May 6 at the same venue.

Other key events include the 70th Anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the Northwest – Điện Biên Tourism Fair, the National Cuisine Festival 2024, and the Northwest – Điện Biên Industry and Trade Fair 2024, among others.

Diverse tourist routes to explore Điện Biên Province

To attract tourists to the northwest mountainous region, businesses and travel companies have launched various programmes to explore tourist attractions in Điện Biên Province and neighboring areas.

The national airline Vietnam Airlines has announced an increase in flight frequency to Điện Biên Province from March 6 to March 30, with two daily round trips between Hà Nội and Điện Biên.

Two daily round trips between Hà Nội and Điện Biên are scheduled, departing from Hà Nội at 1.05pm and 2.05pm, and departing from Điện Biên at 2.40pm and 3.40pm, providing a convenient travel option for tourists exploring the northwest region.

Additionally, many travel companies offer unique tours to Điện Biên, allowing visitors to admire the blooming ban flowers at the beginning of the year and explore historical relics associated with the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. These itineraries often include significant sites such as Sơn La Prison, Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum, the French army command cellar (General De Castries cellar), the Mường Thanh Bridge, Hill A1, and the headquarters of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign in Mường Phăng – the pivotal center of the historic campaign.

These tours offer opportunities to experience the traditional identity and artistic features imbued with folk culture, as well as the renowned majestic beauty of the northwest mountainous region. Furthermore, several tourism agencies have introduced flexible itineraries to cater to diverse preferences and schedules. For instance, a one-day city tour of Điện Biên is available at prices ranging from VNĐ900,000 to 1,100,000 (US$36.6-44.7) per person, while a three-day Hà Nội-Sơn La-Điện Biên tour by car is priced at VNĐ2,690,000 ($109.5) per person. Alternatively, opting for air travel with the same itinerary costs VNĐ4,990,000 ($203.6) per person. Moreover, a five-day tour exploring Mộc Châu-Sơn La-Điện Biên-Lai Châu-Sa Pa, departing from Hồ Chí Minh City, is available at VNĐ8,890,000 ($362) per person.