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
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Bringing preferential loans to locals

    Bringing preferential loans to locals

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In recent times, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), along with Party committees and local governments, has made efforts to bring preferential loan capital to the people, especially poor households and vulnerable groups.
  • 'Điện Biên works with KOICA Office in Vietnam

    Điện Biên works with KOICA Office in Vietnam

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On November 24, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lò Văn Cương worked with the KOICA Office in Vietnam regarding the survey and preparation for the implementation of the project “Enhancing self-reliance capacity for rural areas through building electricity infrastructure for disadvantaged regions of Điện Biên province.”
  • 'Early stabilization of life for Huổi Có residents

    Early stabilization of life for Huổi Có residents

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The recent heavy rains in early August significantly disrupted the lives of the residents of Huổi Có village, Phình Giàng commune, Điện Biên province. Many households had to leave their old homes, the road to the village was cut off, and daily life was difficult. There is an urgent need to quickly stabilize their lives, ensuring safe accommodation so that people can feel secure in their daily activities, studies, and production.
  • 'For the cause of “cultivating people”

    For the cause of “cultivating people”

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the 2020 - 2025 period, despite facing many difficulties regarding human resources and financial resources, the education and training sector of Điện Biên province has consistently maintained a spirit of innovation, creativity, and persistent effort to overcome challenges and complete key objectives.
  • 'Provincial People’s Committee holds November session

    Provincial People’s Committee holds November session

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the evening of November 23, the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee held its November session, co-chaired by comrades: Lê Văn Lương, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Lò Văn Cương, Member of the provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
  • 'Điện Biên records breakthrough in digital transformation

    Điện Biên records breakthrough in digital transformation

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the process of building an e-government and promoting digital transformation, Điện Biên province identifies the reception, resolution, and return of results for administrative procedures (APs) via the Online Public Service Portal as one of the key tasks. This is not only an inevitable trend but has also become an important driving force creating strong changes in administrative reform, improving service quality, and enhancing the transparency and efficiency of the two-tier local government apparatus.
  • 'Mường Luân ancient tower by Mã River

    Mường Luân ancient tower by Mã River

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - After being restored and renovated with a spacious and refined appearance, the Mường Luân ancient tower by the Mã River is gradually becoming a new, attractive destination on the tourism map of Mường Luân commune.
  • 'Solidifying people’s defense posture

    Solidifying people’s defense posture

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, along with the mission of training and combat readiness, the Điện Biên provincial Border Guard forces have consistently maintained field expeditions associated with mass mobilization efforts, supporting economic development, and participating in consolidating the grassroots political system, focusing on the border area. These practical actions have built the people’s trust and have been recognized by local Party committees and governments.
  • 'Creating seed sources on Mường Thanh rice field

    Creating seed sources on Mường Thanh rice field

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Currently, residents in the province are using rice seeds imported from other units and localities, as no enterprise or cooperative yet self-produces rice seeds characteristic of the Mường Thanh rice field. The lack of a stable indigenous seed source not only makes production dependent on external supply but also becomes a concern for the entire agricultural sector.
  • 'Culture takes root in community life

    Culture takes root in community life

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of residents is a key task in building cohesive, culturally rich communities. With that goal, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Điện Biên province has implemented a wide range of grassroots - focused activities, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values and fostering a healthy, sustainable cultural environment in every village and neighborhood.
  • 'Na Son arouses spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement

    Na Son arouses spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Na Son commune was established based on the merger of Na Son commune, Keo Lôm commune, and Điện Biên Đông town. After the merger, Na Son commune still faces many difficulties: An asynchronous infrastructure, a high poverty rate, and continuous natural disasters... But it is precisely in these hardships that the spirit of studying and following President Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style has become a spiritual anchor, creating the strength of solidarity and the aspiration for change.
  • 'Điện Biên’s cultural heritage considered tourism potential

    Điện Biên’s cultural heritage considered tourism potential

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Exploiting the value of cultural heritage to achieve the goal of developing tourism into a key economic sector of the province. This is a goal that Điện Biên can fully achieve because the province possesses a rich and diverse system of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, along with the national historical relic complex of the Điện Biên Phủ battlefield.