Discarded litter was cleared, wild weeds were trimmed, and stairways leading down into the trench network were thoroughly swept. At a place that once witnessed fierce battles, every task contributes to safeguarding the sanctity of the relic, expressing gratitude toward those who fought and sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

Saturday mornings at the relic sites

Visiting Điện Biên these days and touring its historical landmarks, travelers can easily observe neatness and openness extending from entrance pathways to visitor reception zones. Achieving this polished appearance relies on routines maintained consistently every Saturday morning.

Beginning in August 2026, the Điện Biên Phủ Museum launched the “Green Campaign - Preserving Heritage, Spreading Culture,” conducting activities twice a month. Cadres, public employees, and workers from the unit coordinate with police forces, military personnel, and youth union members to take turns renovating relic clusters under their management. Every assignment is planned systematically and in detail, covering clearing weeds, collecting waste and dry leaves, cleaning walkways and reception facilities, trimming and tending trees, planting supplemental flowers and ornamental greenery suited to each setting, refurbishing directional signage, dredging drainage networks, and addressing spots prone to sanitation or aesthetic issues.

Having just cleared a pile of dry leaves along the path leading to the summit of Hill A1, Lê Hồng Phương, a cadre from the Điện Biên Phủ Museum, joined colleagues in planting pinto peanut ground cover. Phương shared that landscape maintenance must be performed routinely so the relic space remains clean, secure, and ready to welcome guests, while the overriding priority remains preserving the intrinsic hallmarks of the historical grounds.

Caring for heritage is not an occasional formality, nor is it reserved exclusively for major anniversaries, holidays, or significant events. These endeavors are becoming an established mindset and a regular habit among cadres, civil servants, laborers, and coordinating forces, thereby promoting an image of a historical land that is green, clean, beautiful, and civilized in the hearts of visitors arriving in Điện Biên.

Respecting the original elements of relic sites

The Special National Relic Site of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield comprises numerous historic spots spread across an expansive territory. These include the fiery Hill A1 of yesteryear, D1 Hill crowned by the solemn Điện Biên Phủ Victory Monument, F Hill hosting the Temple of Martyrs at the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, the Him Lam Resistance Center, the De Castries Bunker in the middle of the basin, and the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Headquarters concealed beneath the ancient canopy of the Mường Phăng forest.

Each location possesses distinct topography, spatial layout, and historical memories. Reflecting upon the delicate boundary between beautification and improper infringement upon relics, Vũ Thị Tuyết Nga, Director of the Điện Biên Phủ Museum, shared that for historical sites, landscape embellishment must be weighed with great care; the goal is not to alter the setting, but to protect, maintain, and accentuate inherent values. Tasks touching upon zones with historical and cultural attributes must fulfill rigorous professional standards, ensuring that original historical elements remain uncompromised.

Over the years, the restoration, renovation, and preservation of the Special National Relic Site of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield have been carried out systematically and prudently. Major initiatives undertaken, such as the restoration of the Him Lam Resistance Center Relic, the reinforcement and anti-degradation work at the De Castries Bunker, the museification of the Hill A1 Relic, and the Repair and Museification Project at the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Headquarters Relic, have adhered strictly to statutory heritage conservation protocols. From selecting compatible authentic materials such as timber, sandbags, and corrugated steel to reconstructing trench lines, field fortifications, and bunkers, every component was researched and consulted with museum specialists, historians, and veterans who directly fought in the campaign.

Through such meticulous care, bomb craters along the rocky slopes of Hill A1, the distinctive humus humidity of the Mường Phăng forest, and the rusted barbed-wire fencing encircling the De Castries Bunker continue to be safeguarded, preserving the imprint of time and historical value while offering visitors an intimate, visual, and emotionally resonant historical journey.

New appeal from the imprints of time

Alongside preservation, promoting relic values in Điện Biên has been prioritized in recent years through innovative approaches. Relics are no longer static, closed museums passively awaiting visitors to drop by and depart; they have transformed into living cultural arenas where past and present converge across diverse interactive formats.

A vivid illustration occurred during the 72nd anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, when the art exhibition “Điện Biên Phủ - Historical Sketches” was staged at the Victory Museum, drawing large crowds of visitors and local residents, particularly youth. Simultaneously, the specialized photographic exhibition “Điện Biên Phủ Victory - A Golden Historical Milestone” was brought directly to the public at two landmark relics: the De Castries Bunker and the Campaign Headquarters in Mường Phăng. Experiential activities such as carrying ammunition and pushing pack bicycles right upon grounds that recorded history evoked deep emotional connections. The relic sites became open spaces for dialogue where visual presentations made the story of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory accessible, offering younger generations engaging pathways to understand national history.

With the recently launched “Green Campaign,” the Điện Biên Phủ Museum expanded its outreach by capturing footage and creating informative pieces broadcast across its digital media channels. Educational content regarding environmental protection and heritage conservation is integrated into experiential tours for students and tourists.

Vũ Thị Tuyết Nga emphasized that safeguarding and promoting heritage values must begin with grounded, concrete undertakings that are maintained regularly. A green, clean, and beautiful landscape is essential to upgrade visitor service quality, yet the core imperative remains ensuring the historical and cultural values of relics are preserved and shared broadly.

Awakening a relic does not mean remodeling or altering the appearance of the past. Here, awakening aims at safeguarding historical traces through rigorous care, allowing inherent values to be recognized and shine brightly within properly protected spaces nurtured with reverence and responsibility.