Looking down from the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Monument toward the center of Điện Biên Phủ ward, a vast expanse unfolds in vibrant colors of flags and floral displays. Well-appointed avenues bustle with traffic. Along both sides of the streets, neatly hung rows of red flags with yellow stars create a fresh look as Điện Biên joins the entire country in celebrating National Day on September 2.

The festive atmosphere of flags and flowers extends from urban centers to communes, wards, and residential quarters throughout the province. In front of every household gate and along town streets, the crimson of the National Flag has become a familiar presence. Residents proactively clean alleys, tidy homes, tend plants, and maintain flower beds. Spaces familiar in daily routines have taken on a solemn, lively appearance.

Major national holidays are also occasions when the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Monument area welcomes large numbers of local residents and travelers. Among crowds visiting to explore history are international guests. Arriving through different journeys, all share curiosity and deep respect for the land tied to one of the most significant victories in Vietnamese national history.

Along central streets of Điện Biên Phủ and Mường Thanh wards, preparations for the series of National Day celebratory activities were carried out early. In parallel with hanging national flags, posters, banners, and slogans, localities emphasized environmental sanitation, tree care, and landscape decoration, helping build clean, civil urban spaces.

Cultural, artistic, and sports programs unfolded vibrantly, drawing broad public and tourist participation. The highlight of this year’s National Day celebrations is Folk Dance Festival 2026, generating a cheerful, dynamic ambiance while promoting the cultural image and tourism appeal of Điện Biên.

Arriving in Điện Biên right on National Day, Esther and her husband, tourists from Israel, shared distinctive reflections. Both university professors, this marks their third journey to Vietnam, reflecting their appreciation for the country’s culture, people, and landscapes. Across regions visited, they encountered a friendly, welcoming, and peaceful Vietnam, prompting them to continue selecting Vietnam on their travel itineraries.

On this journey, Esther and her husband decided to visit Điện Biên on National Day on September 2, with the primary wish to explore the history of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. They were eager to tour a historical land previously known only through books, newspapers, and mass media.

Before international visitors, rows of red flags with yellow stars lining streets present a striking visual of patriotism and national pride among Vietnamese people. What impressed the couple most was Vietnam’s history as a moderately sized country that traversed prolonged warfare to secure victory through willpower, resilience, and unyielding human spirit.

During two days in Điện Biên, Esther and her husband toured the Điện Biên Phủ Museum, De Castries’ Bunker, and relic sites across the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield Relic Complex. In addition to studying the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, they spent time exploring local ethnic cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.

While streets were lively with flags, flowers, and cultural festivities, the atmosphere at museums, martyrs cemeteries, and historical sites carried a reflective reverence.

Many visitors came not merely for sightseeing. They offered incense, stood before historic landmarks, and read inscriptions detailing battles and fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom.

From the second day of the holiday, visitor arrivals at the Điện Biên Phủ Museum increased sharply. Alongside local residents, numerous delegations from other provinces and cities visited. A 46-member delegation from Đồng Nai Lottery and General Services One Member Co., Ltd. arrived in Điện Biên right during the holiday.

Taking roughly 45 minutes by air from Nội Bài International Airport, the delegation landed at Điện Biên Airport. Shortly after arrival, the group visited the President Hồ Chí Minh Memorial House, the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Headquarters in Mường Phăng, and the Điện Biên Phủ Museum. Historical accounts, artifacts, and photographs preserved here evoked profound emotions among delegation members.

Nguyễn Công Đức, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Director of Đồng Nai Lottery and General Services One Member Co., Ltd., shared: “The journey was planned by our company two years ago and only now realized. What surprised our members was that transit to Điện Biên is now far more convenient. The fresh climate and beautiful landscapes made a deep impression on our delegation.”

This year, Nguyễn Thị Hằng from Yên Thành, Nghệ An, spent Independence Day on historic Điện Biên soil. Touring the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Monument area with relatives, she was impressed by the fresh, cool atmosphere and city cityscape. The trip served as an occasion for her to learn more about history and preserve special moments on National Day.

In the cool autumn morning air, sports and fitness groups gathered at the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Monument to capture commemorative photos for National Day.

Ngô Thị Huệ, a member of a local yoga group, said: “Practicing together and capturing memories on this special holiday is our way to express gratitude to our forebears who secured peace and independence today. It also reminds each of us to train our health, live positively, work, and contribute to our homeland and country.”

The festive atmosphere reached local tourist destinations. Multiple tourism attractions across the province refreshed their spaces, creating focal points tied to history, culture, and the spirit of Independence Day.

At the Pha Đin Pass tourist site in Quài Tở commune, the summit area of Pha Đin Pass was decorated to welcome National Day. Set amidst rolling lawns, colorful blooms, and majestic mountains, a large National Flag was prominently placed in a solemn location.

More than a month in advance, the site planted additional flower varieties to enrich the landscape. Approximately one week before National Day, flag and floral decorations were finalized. Staff dedicated substantial efforts to creating spaces with distinct holiday themes. A prominent highlight is the photo check-in corner bearing the message “I will meet you at Pha Đin,” pairing flags and flowers with the distinctive pass scenery.

Trần Thị Mỹ Linh, representative of the Pha Đin Pass tourist site, stated that the unit sought to create a meaningful rendezvous point for visitors, families, and friends to gather at Pha Đin and immerse themselves in the Independence Day atmosphere, taking in scenic vistas, experiencing local culture, and preserving memories. The spot is favored by many travelers, especially young people. Taking photos beside the National Flag amidst the mountain forests of Pha Đin provides a natural way for each person to mark National Day.

Across the land of the historic Điện Biên Phủ Victory, the National Day atmosphere carries a distinct resonance. Today’s festive joy stands side by side with memories of past struggle and sacrifice. That harmony renders the value of independence and peace all the more profound.

Having traversed arduous years, the people of Điện Biên now live in peace, amid well-ordered streets and revitalized villages. In that shared joy lies pride as each resident hangs the National Flag, solemn reverence before relics marking forebears’ sacrifices, and enthusiasm in presenting a culturally and historically rich Điện Biên to domestic and international visitors.