On December 19, 2024, the People’s Committee of Dien Bien Province issued a plan to organize the 2025 Ban Flower Festival and the 8th Culture, Sports, and Tourism Festival of Dien Bien Province.

Ban flower in Dien Bien.

The Ban Flower Festival is a unique cultural event of Dien Bien Province, held annually in March when the Ban flowers bloom across the forests of the Northwest. This is not only an occasion to honor the beauty of the flower symbolizing the highlands but also an opportunity to promote ethnic culture and boost local tourism.

The Ban flower, closely associated with the forests of the Northwest, has long been part of the cultural and spiritual life of the ethnic communities in the region. According to legend, the Ban flower is linked to the tragic love story of Ban and Khum, two lovers separated by harsh societal norms. Ban transformed into pure white flowers, symbolizing eternal and faithful love.

The Ban Flower Festival is not only a time to commemorate this romantic tale but also carries the hope for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperous lives. It is also an opportunity for the people of Dien Bien to introduce the diverse cultural beauty of the region's ethnic minorities to both domestic and international visitors.

The 2025 Ban Flower Festival and the 8th Culture, Sports, and Tourism Festival of Dien Bien Province also aim to celebrate significant national and regional holidays. Additionally, it seeks to continue fostering the culture and people of Dien Bien to meet the sustainable development needs of the country.

The 2025 Ban Flower Festival and the 8th Culture, Sports, and Tourism Festival are scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 16, 2025, in Dien Bien Phu City and Dien Bien District.

The opening ceremony is planned to occur from 7:30 PM to 9:41 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the May 7th Square in Dien Bien Phu City or the provincial stadium. The program is expected to be broadcast live on Vietnam Television, Dien Bien Radio and Television, and several other local TV channels.

The main activities expected to be held within the framework of the festival include the Opening ceremony; Cultural activities (folk song, folk dance, folk music festival of ethnic groups); Sports activities (con tossing, crossbow shooting, rice cake pounding, tug of war, firecracker pulling competition, ammunition carrying); Tourism activities introducing the cultural space of the highlands and displaying and promoting tourism products. In addition, there are other activities such as Street parade; Ban Flowers beauty contest 2025; Presstrip program. 

Dien Bien province also organizes a number of activities before and after the festival in many districts and towns, such as the Swallow-tailed boat racing festival in Muong Lay town (from 3-5 January 2025); Cherry blossom festival in Dien Bien Phu city (in January 2025); Bullfighting festival in Dien Bien Dong district (in January 2025); Goat fighting festival and Mong flute performance in Tua Chua district (in February 2025) and many sports activities, cultural exchanges, festivals, and traditional New Year in the locality./.

Dien Bien Tourism Information Center