Attending the opening were Võ Thị Ánh Xuân, Member of the Party Central Committee and Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam; leaders of central ministries, sectors, and organizations; ambassadors from several countries and international organizations in Việt Nam; representatives from neighboring countries including Laos, China, Thailand, Russia, Algeria, France, Japan, and South Korea; along with leaders and former leaders of Hồ Chí Minh City and the provinces of Lào Cai, Tuyên Quang, Sơn La, Phú Thọ, and Lai Châu.

From Điện Biên province, attendees included Trần Quốc Cường, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Mùa A Sơn, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Trần Tiến Dũng, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Lê Thành Đô, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, along with members of the Standing Committee and Executive Committee of the provincial Party Committee.

The program was broadcast live on television and digital platforms of Điện Biên Phủ Newspaper and Radio-Television, and relayed by stations in Northwestern provinces and Hồ Chí Minh City.

In his opening speech, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trần Quốc Cường emphasized that the Northwest Quintessence Festival - Điện Biên 2025, held from September 19-21, features a wide range of rich and unique activities. These activities aim to further enhance tourism cooperation between the Northwestern provinces and Hồ Chí Minh City, build the distinctive brand “Northwest Quintessence,” and honor the land, culture, and people of the region, while fostering connections, exchanges, and hospitality for tourists.

Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân highly appreciated the initiative of organizing the festival, calling it a new step forward in promoting cultural exchange, expanding markets, tapping into potential and advantages, and enhancing the promotion of Việt Nam’s tourism. She also called on central ministries to provide greater support for localities, especially the Northwest provinces and Hồ Chí Minh City, to accelerate sustainable tourism development. She expressed her hope that domestic and international enterprises will invest in tourism projects of appropriate scale to create strong momentum for the Northwest’s development.

Immediately after the official opening, the audience enjoyed a 150-minute art performance themed “Tying the Sky’s Clouds - Rising Northwest.” The program, a blend of tradition and modernity, consisted of four chapters: Chapter 1: Touching Heritage - Awakening Quintessence; Chapter 2: Painting the Horizon - Embroidering Mountain Love; Chapter 3: Weaving Melodies - Spinning New Sunlight; Chapter 4: Binding Colors - Connecting Lives. Through symbolic performances, the show recreated the majestic natural beauty, heroic history, and rich cultural identity of the Northwest region.

The main stage was designed as a multi-dimensional performance space, highlighted by a semi-waterfront structure harmonizing earth and water, evoking the natural unity of the Northwest while reflecting the cultural depth of Điện Biên.

A special highlight of this year’s event was the off-broadcast art program “Brilliant Skies”, lasting about 80 minutes. It brought together leading Vietnamese singers such as Thu Minh, Tăng Duy Tân, Da LAB, Mai Quinn, and Hà Lê. Under dazzling lights at the provincial stadium, tens of thousands of spectators immersed themselves in a vibrant atmosphere where dynamic music and modern lighting created a festive outdoor concert.

The opening ceremony of the Northwest Quintessence Festival - Điện Biên 2025 thus became a jubilant cultural celebration, bringing locals and visitors together in unity and joy.