Ban Flower Festival 2026 opens in Dien Bien province

Held under the theme "Hoa Ban – Khat vong Dien Bien" (Ban Flower – Dien Bien's Aspiration), the festival is a highlight of the Dien Bien Culture and Tourism Week taking place from March 6 to 12.

The annual event celebrates the beauty of the iconic Ban flower while showcasing the culture, history, and tourism potential of Vietnam's Northwestern region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that the festival is not only a distinctive cultural and tourism event of Dien Bien but also an opportunity to honour and connect the rich cultural heritage of ethnic communities in the Northwest, reflecting the unity in diversity of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.

The Prime Minister noted that Dien Bien province is a land where history, culture and nature converge. The province is best known for the historic Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 — a landmark victory described as "resounding across the five continents and shaking the globe," which marked a turning point in Viet Nam's struggle for independence.

He said that Dien Bien embodies the spirit of the Northwestern region and stands as a lasting symbol of Vietnam's revolutionary heroism. Blessed with majestic natural landscapes and marked by the historic victory, the province represents the nation's enduring aspiration for independence, freedom and national solidarity.

More than seven decades after the Dien Bien Phu campaign, he added, its spirit of determination and unity continues to inspire new generations. The legacy of the historic victory remains a powerful driving force for Dien Bien as it strives for development and prosperity.

The Prime Minister called on ministries and central agencies to strengthen coordination in supporting Dien Bien's socio-economic development, particularly through breakthrough policies to mobilise resources, improve infrastructure, preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism. He also urged greater efforts to attract businesses and investors to support development in Dien Bien and the broader Northwestern region.

The Ban flower has become a symbolic emblem of this historic land. Each blooming season brings renewed vitality to Dien Bien, accompanied by festive activities that connect culture, community and tourism. Inspired by this, the Ban Flower Festival has grown into a signature cultural and tourism event held every spring in the province.

Focusing on honouring ethnic cultural identity and the historical spirit of Dien Bien Phu, the festival aims to further promote the province's cultural values, tourism resources and distinctive local products to both domestic and international visitors.

This year's festival features a variety of activities, including a large-scale opening art programme employing modern stage technology, a vibrant street carnival, traditional folk music and dance performances, traditional sports competitions, cultural exhibitions and an OCOP rural products market./.