In August, Dien Bien was brilliant with the colors of national flags and Party flags on the streets, historical bridges and in the middle of rice fields.
The atmosphere of Independence Day on the land that once created the Dien Bien Phu Victory evokes the heroic pages of the nation's history.
These days, towards the National Day of September 2nd, central roads of Dien Bien such as Vo Nguyen Giap, Truong Chinh, Nguyen Chi Thanh... are decorated brilliantly.
Thousands of red flags with yellow stars fluttered along the streets, creating a joyful and proud atmosphere.
At the historic Muong Thanh bridge, two rows of red flags with yellow stars are solemnly planted on both sides of the bridge.
Mr. Hoang Van Thuan (Dien Bien Phu ward) shared that the bridge is decorated every year, but every National Day brings a special feeling of pride.
Muong Thanh Bridge is one of the witnesses of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Built by the French colonialists at the end of 1953, the steel girder bridge spans the Nam Rom River, serving the connection of positions in the Dien Bien Phu stronghold complex.
In the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, this was an important traffic route for the French army to transport weapons, supplies and wounded soldiers.
On the afternoon of May 7, 1954, soldiers of Company 360, under Division 312, advanced across Muong Thanh bridge, opening the way to directly attack the French headquarters and captured General De Castries alive. The victory that "stirred up the five continents and shook the earth" later became a special milestone in the nation's history.
More than 70 years later, the bridge was ranked as a National Relic, becoming a destination to preserve memories of a time of smoke and fire.
Not only Muong Thanh bridge, Muong Thanh fields are also dressed in brilliant colors during the Independence Day holiday. Rows of red flags with yellow stars stand out amidst the green of rice, creating a scene that is both heroic and peaceful.
Muong Thanh field is the largest rice granary in the Northwest region, located entirely in the Dien Bien basin and famous for the saying "First Thanh, second Lo, third Than, fourth Tac".
With an area of nearly 140 km2 surrounded by mountains and nurtured by the Nam Rom River, this place was once a fierce battlefield witnessing the collapse of the French stronghold in 1954.
Today, Muong Thanh not only plays a core economic role with famous fragrant tám gạo products but is also a beautiful tourist destination.
Every ripe rice season, the entire Dien Bien basin puts on its brilliant yellow color, becoming a symbol of prosperity and strong revival of the historical land.
Ms. Nguyen Khanh Huyen (Muong Thanh ward) said that the flags in the middle of the rice field create a very beautiful scene, so she chose ao dai to preserve these special moments.
From the historic bridge to today's rice fields, the red flag with a yellow star on Dien Bien land not only creates a bustling atmosphere to celebrate National Day but also reminds of the values of peace, independence and patriotism.
