On December 13, at the relic site of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command (Muong Phang commune), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Department of Education and Training, Dien Bien Provincial Youth Union organized the mountain climbing tournament to conquer Pu To Co peak and the Dien Bien Provincial Youth and Cultural Culture Open in 2025.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "Tournament is a very meaningful journey of experience following in the footsteps of General Vo Nguyen Giap, both educating the younger generation about historical traditions, love for the homeland and country, and at the same time being a community activity of solidarity and sharing".
Right after the opening program, more than 500 athletes participating in the mountain climbing competition competed in 4 events: Men's individual, women's individual, men's team, women's team, with a distance of 8km.
The mountain climbing journey moves through many tents and works in the relic site, experiencing the tunnel through the mountain, following the trail under the Muong Phang forest canopy, crossing the stream and climbing to the top of Pu To Co at an altitude of 1,700m above sea level.
Talking to reporters, Ms. Thao Trang (Dien Bien Phu ward) said: "When I set foot on the top of Pu To Co, all the fatigue seemed to disappear. This journey is not only about overcoming a mountain, but also overcoming one's own limits and strengthening the solidarity of the members of the group".
The top of Pu To Co Mountain used to be an important observation location, where General Vo Nguyen Giap grasped the situation of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
To get to the Observatory, take a walk from the front gate station of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command (in Muong Phang) and walk through the forest for more than 8 km (3-4 hours).
According to the Organizing Committee, this is the first tournament to be held, but has attracted the participation of over 1,200 athletes, from 60 agencies and units inside and outside the province. On December 14, more than 700 athletes will compete in the field trip event, including 8 events.
