Alongside the Zero Milestone, the A Pa Chải Flagpole is expected to become a key attraction, contributing to tourism development in Mường Nhé district and the wider Điện Biên province.

A sacred symbol of national sovereignty

The A Pa Chải Flagpole is built on a mountain peak 1,459 meters above sea level, part of the Khoang La San range in Sín Thầu Commune, just 1,400 meters from the Zero Milestone at the tri-border point between Vietnam, Laos, and China.

Every architectural detail and technical specification of the flagpole carries profound meaning, linked to the legacy of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory and the rich cultural life of the local ethnic minority communities.

The flagpole stands 45.19 meters tall with a flag measuring 7.5 by 5 meters. Its body is designed in an octagonal shape. The base features five embossed relief panels depicting the cultural identity of the Northwest region, including folklore such as The Legend of the Mother Gourd, spiritual life, labor, traditional music and dance, folk games, and signature festivals of Điện Biên’s ethnic groups. The top of the pole includes a stone relief portraying President Hồ Chí Minh with ethnic minorities in the Northwest. The path to the flagpole consists of 519 steps, built along the natural slope of the hill.

During construction, thousands of border guards, local militia, youth union members, and ethnic residents of Sín Thầu Commune and neighboring areas contributed tirelessly. Braving harsh sun and storms, they carried earth, bricks, and cement up the mountain, each stone and tree soaked with the sweat and dedication of hundreds over more than a year.

Colonel Nguyễn Đức Dũng, Commander of the A Pa Chải Border Post, said: “Throughout the construction process, local people and border forces worked together to support the builders. Especially during the final phase before the flag raising ceremony, hundreds of officers and soldiers from the A Pa Chải, Leng Su Sìn, and Sen Thượng Border Posts, along with local militia and youth, helped clean up, plant trees, and complete the landscaping. Some days, they worked from dawn until 10pm to stay on schedule.”

Thanks to those unwavering efforts, on the morning of May 7, the red flag with a golden star flew proudly atop Khoang La San, asserting Vietnam’s sacred sovereignty.

A tourism boost

Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee Lê Thành Đô emphasized: “The A Pa Chải Flagpole is a deeply symbolic architectural work of history, culture, and politics, a monument affirming national sovereignty. It will be a highlight in Mường Nhé’s tourism development and a key point in the Điện Biên-A Pa Chải tourism route, creating momentum for the province’s tourism industry.”

Nguyễn Trung Hiếu, a visitor from Hanoi, expressed his honor at attending the Flag Raising Ceremony at the westernmost point of the country during the Điện Biên Phủ Victory anniversary. “I have been to the Zero Milestone twice, once when I had to trek through dense forest and tall grass, taking a whole day to go there and back. But this time was special: standing beneath the national flag on such a meaningful day at such a symbolic site made me deeply proud and emotional. It reminded me of our duty to protect the homeland and fueled my patriotic spirit and national pride.”

Once operational, the A Pa Chải Flagpole will enrich the tri-border tourism route, “where a rooster’s crow can be heard in three countries.” Together with the Zero Milestone and the unique cultural space of the Hà Nhì people, it promises to deliver a compelling experience, drawing visitors and stimulating tourism-linked local economic growth.

The Hà Nhì people have distinctive festivals such as Gạ ma thú (2nd-month Tết), rain-making ceremonies, forest worship, Hồ Sự Chà (New rice Tết), and Khụ Sự Chà (Traditional Tết). During these events, visitors can enjoy traditional dances that depict everyday life, such as drum dances (Hừ từ mí xá cự), farming dances, conical hat dances, xòe dances, and dances celebrating beauty and joy.

Their cuisine is another cultural gem. Traditional dishes like grilled pork, grilled buffalo, stream fish, chicken porridge, and purple or yellow sticky rice are not only delicious but are prepared with care, showcasing a deep respect for nature and heartfelt hospitality.

The A Pa Chải Flagpole is expected to become a tourism landmark and a catalyst for economic growth in Mường Nhé district and Điện Biên province. Like many symbolic structures, it serves a dual purpose: a “red address” for patriotic education and a compelling destination promoting cultural exchange and regional integration.

To fully realize this potential, effective management, operation, and community involvement will be critical. The flagpole should be seamlessly integrated with other tourism products in the region to form a rich, multi-dimensional experience, from natural landscapes and cultural identity to service infrastructure.

Currently, the tourism sector is developing plans and tour products to leverage the flagpole’s appeal. Local authorities are encouraging people to shift toward tourism-based livelihoods through specific actions such as preserving ethnic architecture, cuisine, and culture, and developing homestay services.

Lỳ Phì Cà, Secretary of the Sín Thầu commune Party Committee, said: “Our commune’s tourism development resolution for 2021-2025, with orientation toward 2030, aims to make Sín Thầu a key destination in Mường Nhé’s tourism network. This will help create livelihoods, raise incomes, and shift the economic structure toward services. The commune also aims to become a tourism bridge between Mường Nhé and Jiangcheng county (Yunnan province, China), as well as neighboring communes. Moving forward, we will strengthen coordination with relevant sectors and mobilize local people to help realize tourism potential from the A Pa Chải Flagpole.”

The potential and advantages are clear. But how can the A Pa Chải Flagpole truly become a sustainable development engine for the local ethnic communities, and meaningfully awaken national border protection consciousness among youth and visitors alike? These are the key challenges for local authorities and tourism managers as the site officially opens to the public.