Bringing History to Life: Guiding Visitors Through Time

ĐBP - For over 15 years, Lò Thị Thủy, a Thái woman hailing from the land of Mường Phăng, has been deeply immersed in the narration work at the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site. Throughout her tenure, she has tirelessly strived to kindle the flame of passion for her profession and infuse every historical story in this sacred land with soul.

Tourists listen attentively to volunteer guide Quàng Thị Hương Giang narrating about the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign.

Thủy shares, "Growing up in Mường Phăng, I've always aspired to narrate the tales of this historic land. Upon hearing about tour guide recruitment after high school, I eagerly applied. Now, every artifact, bunker, and ancient tree is etched deeply into my mind, having led countless groups to visit the Historical Site."

She acknowledges that many locals perceive tour guiding as mere storytelling, potentially losing its allure over time. However, Thủy emphasizes that effective narration, coupled with secrecy and safety, demands skill and expertise. To excel, one must self-train, continually enhance knowledge, and learn from colleagues. Thủy actively participates in training sessions and workshops, striving to deliver emotive and captivating narratives. Additionally, she tailors communication methods to suit the diverse ages of visitors, catering to their learning preferences and needs.

Tourists speaking with guides at the historical site.

When asked about the challenges of her profession, Thủy chuckles before explaining, "As a tour guide, I must speak continuously, engagingly, and persuasively. During peak times, I often lead 6 - 7 groups of tourists daily. Speaking extensively can strain the throat, so I always carry saline solution. Nowadays, with microphones provided, it's easier, but when I started, there were weeks when I couldn't speak."

In the scorching heat of March, Quàng Thị Hương Giang, a young volunteer at the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site, tirelessly attends to veterans, offering water and urging them to rest. Giang emotionally shares, "I'm deeply moved by the veterans' dedication, despite their age and frailty. They listen intently to every detail of my narration, often shedding tears during the tour."

A group of tourists visiting the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site.

Quàng Thị Hương Giang, a native of Điện Biên Phủ, graduated in tourism from Vietnam National University of Forestry in 2022. Volunteering as a tour guide at the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site, she encountered early career challenges.

"Although I studied tourism, I faced many difficulties and challenges in the early days of my career. Thanks to the guidance of senior guides, I tried to learn, understand the knowledge about the Command Bunker, and practiced communication skills, posture, and fluent speech to make it easy for tourists to listen to my narration. Not only that, I also have to update knowledge, listen to feedback from tourists, especially the veterans," said Giang.

In Mường Phăng, during the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign in 1954, General Võ Nguyên Giáp directed the establishment of the military headquarters - the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, to achieve a historic victory that "shone across continents, shook the globe."

"Memorization is not an effective solution. Therefore, I chose to read and understand. While reading, I researched, recorded important issues, and created a mind map for myself, which helped me feel more confident when narrating about the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign as well as the artifacts, paintings, and photos displayed in the exhibition room, introducing the revolutionary career of General Võ Nguyên Giáp," Giang shared.

Visitors of Mường Phăng are mainly veterans from provinces and cities across the country.

Veteran Phạm Phú Bằng, hailing from Đà Nẵng, shares a deeply emotional reflection: "This marks my inaugural visit to the historic grounds of Mường Phăng. As a veteran who left part of myself on the battlefield, the narratives offered by our guides stirred profound emotions within me. It filled me with pride and reverence, underscoring the monumental contributions of General Võ Nguyên Giáp and the enduring sacrifices of our heroes and martyrs."

Phạm Thị Thảo, Deputy Director of the Heritage Management Board (Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), emphasizes the meticulous process of selecting tour guides and volunteers at the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site. "Our criteria are stringent, ensuring that our guides possess not only exceptional communication skills with diverse audiences but also an innate understanding of listeners' psyche. They must navigate situations with flexibility and finesse, all while possessing a profound knowledge of local culture, history, and ethnicities."

Despite encountering numerous challenges such as the absence of remuneration policies and inadequate tour guide teams, particularly during peak periods like the Ban Flower Festival and May 7th, the tour guide team persistently strives to enhance their professional knowledge and skills to meet job requirements. As a result, the reception at the Command Bunker of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Historical Site has garnered positive feedback from tourists, who praise the professionalism, extensive knowledge, articulate expression, standard language usage, and friendly attitudes of the guides.

Lò Thị Thủy, Quàng Thị Thu Vân, Lò Thị Hà, Quàng Thị Hương Giang, and Cà Thị Minh, the "ladies in charge," exhibit their expertise daily, infusing every interaction with visitors with their passion and dedication. With unwavering commitment, they transport tourists back in time, enabling them to grasp the significance of the landmarks that played pivotal roles in historic victories.

Article and photos: Sầm Phúc
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