In the direction of infrastructure and tourism development, Dien Bien province has a great advantage as it is the only province in the Northwest region with an airport, receiving modern large aircraft such as A320, A321 and equivalents.
Geographically, Dien Bien airport is the nearest location to connect from Vietnam to Yunnan province, to the Southwest region (China). In addition, it has a strategic location connecting with the northern provinces of Laos and the Mekong sub-region countries.
Recently, during a visit and working session with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Yunnan province, Mr. Tran Hai Ha - Acting Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dien Bien proposed that the two sides agree to jointly propose with competent authorities to allow tourists from Yunnan and Dien Bien provinces to use passports or passports to enter and exit through the A Pa Chai - Long Phu border gate.
In addition, it is allowed to pilot cars from Yunnan province entering Dien Bien province through the A Pa Chai - Long Phu border gate and vice versa, according to the fixed registered route route.
Agree to jointly propose to competent authorities and airlines of China and Vietnam to organize a number of Charter flights (lump-sum aircraft charter for passenger transport) from Kunming or Lijiang or Western Song Ban Nai airports to Dien Bien and vice versa.
The opening of the air route is expected to contribute to promoting trade and creating favorable conditions for tourists from both sides to travel.
The highlight of the flights connecting Yunnan - Dien Bien is that the two sides will form a Thai cultural tourism route connecting the Northwest region (Vietnam) with Western Song Ban Nap (China).
This orientation will help guide tourists from southern China to Dien Bien, creating a "journey to the source" and a "Thai cultural corridor" across borders imbued with identity.
In addition, this "couloir" will be combined with historical tourism, in which the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield historical relic is taken as the center.
If the proposal to organize early flights is realized, Dien Bien airport will truly receive a historic step forward. This will be an important "push" for Dien Bien to become a tourist center in the Northwest region, closely linking border friendship.
According to Mr. Ha, through strengthening international cooperation and attracting foreign tourists, Dien Bien province sets a target in the period 2026-2030, striving to welcome over 8.0 million visitors. At the same time, total revenue from tourists is expected to reach about 15,000 billion VND, contributing 11% to the province's GRDP.
After Dien Bien Airport was upgraded and put back into operation in December 2023. Passenger terminal operating capacity of 500,000 passengers/year.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines is the only unit operating the Dien Bien - Hanoi route and vice versa.
