A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo: dienbien.gov.vn)

The programme attracted the participation of nearly 250 artists whose performances highlighted the history, land, culture and people of Dien Bien province.

The northern province of Dien Bien is dubbed as the land of bauhinia flowers. The Bauhinia Festival has been held annually in Dien Bien during the flower season, from February to May, since 2014 and is established as a tourism brand of the locality which has significantly contributed to promoting the local tourism potential and cultural essence.

This year’s festival includes a display of tourist products and the cultural practices of ethnic groups in Dien Bien, sporting events and folk games.

The highlight of the event is a fashion show of the traditional costumes of Dien Bien’s ethnic groups, which is expected to attract the participation of many local artisans

There will also be a pack-bike competition in which the participants will push pack-bikes carrying food from the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument to the Hill D relic site. This activity aims to recreate the operations of the Vietnamese people and army during the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954.