Stretching along the banks of the Nậm Rốm River, Raymonde Dien Street begins at the historic Mường Thanh Bridge and ends behind the Nậm Rốm Hotel, near Thanh Bình Bridge. The street has recently been upgraded and completed, with both sides now lined with green trees, blooming ban flowers, and golden cassias. It also features the newly completed Vừ A Dính Park, offering a spacious and scenic public space.

Raymonde Dien was a peace activist with a deep affection for Vietnam. On February 23, 1950, in protest against the war in Indochina, the young French Communist Party member lay across train tracks at Tours station in France to block a shipment of weapons destined for the region.

Her courageous act forced the train to stop, allowing demonstrators to rally and chant anti-war slogans. As a result, the weapons shipment was delayed and never reached its intended destination on time.

Naming the street after Raymonde Dien carries both historical and diplomatic significance. It is not only a tribute to her bravery but also a symbol of gratitude and recognition for international friends who supported Vietnam’s struggle for independence and freedom. It reflects the Vietnamese people's appreciation for global peace advocates and affirms the spirit of international solidarity, peace, and friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and France. The event is a poignant reminder that the victory at Điện Biên Phủ was not only a triumph of the Vietnamese people but also a convergence of global movements for justice.

As a resident of Điện Biên Phủ city who frequently walks this street, Trần Thị Thơ of Residential Group 1, Thanh Bình ward, expressed her appreciation for the meaning behind the street’s name. But what she values most is the transformation that has taken place since the renaming.

“In the past, from Mường Thanh Bridge to just before Thanh Bình Bridge was an illegal market. Vendors and buyers spilled into the street, creating chaos, filth, and unsanitary conditions. Now, with the market gone, the street is open and clean, and the air is fresh. My family walks here every day,” she said.

Though not a regular on the street, Vi Thị Thanh Thảo from Nam Thanh ward decided to visit after seeing numerous Facebook posts showcasing scenic check-in spots along the route. With no market obstructing the way, she could comfortably stroll, enjoy the view, and find perfect angles for photos, something that was not possible before. She and her friends captured many charming and poetic images by the Nậm Rốm River, especially beneath the snowy-white ban flower canopies.

This area once housed the temporary Mường Thanh Market, which had existed for decades. After the road was constructed and completed, more vendors flooded in, occupying the roadway and creating years of disorder that obstructed traffic, ruined the cityscape, and marred the experience for residents and visitors alike.

In early March, ahead of the 2025 Ban (Bauhinia) Flower Festival, the province directed local authorities and relevant agencies to resolve the situation decisively. Vendors were relocated to a vacant lot designated for the Mường Thanh Market and Commercial Services Project (Mường Thanh Tourism Market), officially clearing the street. Residents in the area have also become more conscious of sanitation and maintaining the street’s appearance.

To ensure the market operates smoothly at its new location, the ward assigned three security guards to remind and encourage vendors to comply with regulations while strictly preventing those attempting to return to sell goods along Raymonde Dien Street and near Mường Thanh Bridge.

Trần Mạnh Tuyển, a security guard at Mường Thanh Market, shared: “Initially, some resisted the move, but we firmly enforced the rules while explaining and persuading them. Every vendor is now assigned a proper spot, and we collect a daily environmental service fee of VND 10,000 per person. Now, everyone agrees, and things have stabilized.”