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

  • 'Cooperation boosted to develop sustainable raw material zones

    Cooperation boosted to develop sustainable raw material zones

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Developing the fruit tree cultivation area is one of the appropriate directions to improve economic efficiency and exploit the locality’s potential and strengths in agricultural production. However, the consumer market for these products still faces many difficulties, prices are unstable, and the “good harvest, low price” situation often occurs.
  • 'Officials’ competence honed at the grassroots level

    Officials’ competence honed at the grassroots level

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Determined to make the grassroots-level apparatus operate more orderly and effectively, Điện Biên province has implemented a policy of seconding officials from departments and sectors to the commune level. This is a solution to strengthen the workforce and also a profound step in building a contingent of officials trained through practical experience.
  • 'Resolving difficulties in medicinal plant development

    Resolving difficulties in medicinal plant development

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - With many potentials and advantages, in recent times, all levels and specialized sectors have focused on researching and developing medicinal plant species, especially precious medicinal herbs under the forest canopy. This is considered a key direction to generate income, create jobs, and improve the lives of the people, especially for communities living near forests.
  • 'Education reforms lift learning quality in Điện Biên

    Education reforms lift learning quality in Điện Biên

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - After five years of implementing the 2018 general education program, Điện Biên province has seen significant progress in teaching and learning. Curriculum and teaching methods have been updated; school facilities continue to improve; and both teacher and student quality are rising.
  • 'Aiming to serve citizens better

    Aiming to serve citizens better

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - After 4 months of implementation, the two-level local government model in Điện Biên province has basically become stable, operating smoothly and effectively. The administrative apparatus at all levels is gradually adapting to the new model, affirming the correctness of the policy to rearrange and streamline the organizational structure towards being effective, efficient, and better serving the people and businesses.
  • 'Making winter crop a main production season

    Making winter crop a main production season

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, the winter crop has become a main production season in many localities, contributing to increasing income for residents and contributing to agricultural growth. From awareness to action, farmers and all levels of government are striving to expand the area, diversify crops, and promote the application of technical advances, aiming for a sustainable commodity-based agriculture that adapts to climate change.
  • 'Sowing seeds of love for the forest

    Sowing seeds of love for the forest

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The weekend at the experience area in the Mường Phăng special-use forest was bustling with the laughter of children and families joining a “chestnut gathering” activity. This wasn’t just a chill picnic in nature; the activity also carried a profound educational meaning about protecting the forest and the ecological environment.
  • 'Paving the way for the “gem” of Huổi Thanh 1

    Paving the way for the “gem” of Huổi Thanh 1

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - A concrete road stretching over ten kilometers, like a soft ribbon draped over the mountainsides, took us from the center of Nậm Kè commune to Huổi Thanh 1 village. Tucked away in the great forest, Huổi Thanh 1 is like a “raw gem,” with majestic natural scenery and the rich, pristine cultural identity of the Sán Chỉ ethnic people waiting to be polished.
  • 'Provincial Party chief meets Saint Petersburg delegates

    Provincial Party chief meets Saint Petersburg delegates

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the afternoon of November 2, at the Điện Biên provincial Conference and Culture Center, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trần Tiến Dũng held a meeting to encourage the delegation of officials and students from Saint Petersburg city, Russia, led by Nikishina Natalia, Deputy Head of the Vyborg district Administration of Saint Petersburg, who are participating in an exchange program in the province.
  • 'Village Party Cell Secretaries and Chiefs - Representatives of people’s hearts (Part 2)

    Village Party Cell Secretaries and Chiefs - Representatives of people’s hearts (Part 2)

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - To break down the “language barrier” and bring resolutions to life, the role of People’s Council delegates who are also party cell secretaries or village chiefs in ethnic minority communities is crucial. They not only represent the voice of the voters but also act as special “interpreters,” conveying the resolutions and policies of the Party and State in their mother tongues, helping people understand and follow them. Thanks to them, resolutions are no longer distant but permeate life, touching every mindset and every home in the highland border areas of Điện Biên.
  • 'Promoting digitization of banking activities

    Promoting digitization of banking activities

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In the context of strong digital transformation, the digitization of banking activities has become an important driving force for socio-economic development. In Điện Biên, banks are promoting the application of technology, developing digital banking models and ecosystems of convenient, safe services, helping people in remote areas access services more easily.