On the morning of May 7, in a solemn and proud atmosphere, the Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Dien Bien Province held the inauguration ceremony of the A Pa Chai Flagpole at Sin Thau Commune, Muong Nhe District, Dien Bien Province – the sacred westernmost point of the nation. Attending the ceremony were Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc – Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Nguyen Duc Manh – Deputy Commander of the Border Guard; and Major General Nguyen Hong Thai – Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region II.

The delegates jointly participated in the plaque unveiling ceremony for the A Pa Chai Flagpole project.

From Dien Bien Province, the attending officials included: Mr.Tran Quoc Cuong – Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Le Thanh Do – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Lo Van Phuong – Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; along with other provincial leaders and local authority representatives.

Construction of the A Pa Chai Flagpole began in November 2023, with a total investment of 31 billion VND, fully funded by Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank). The flagpole is built on a mountain peak at an altitude of 1,459 meters above sea level (part of the Khoang La San mountain range, at coordinates 22º22’44”N - 102º10’35”E), approximately 1,387 meters from the "Marker 0" border tripoint.

The entire flagpole compound spans 407 square meters, including walking paths, a flag-raising square, landscape flower beds, and a central flagpole symbolizing the unity of ethnic groups gathering around the sacred flame of the nation. From above, the design resembles a blooming Ban flower, emblematic of the Northwestern mountains and forests.

The flagpole has a total height of 45.19 meters; its final elevation reaches +1,505.54 meters, symbolically corresponding to the historical milestone of May 1954 (the Dien Bien Phu Victory). The flag measures 7.5 x 5 meters, totaling 37.5 square meters, in reference to the victory on May 7. The flagpole's body is shaped in an octagonal form, representing balance, stability, and solemnity appropriate for a national sacred structure. The base features five relief panels showcasing typical Northwest cultural imagery and ethnic motifs under five main themes: The Legend of the Mother Gourd (of the Kho Mu people); Belief culture and festivals; Labor, production, and traditional crafts; Folk songs, dances, and games; The May 7 Square with a united ethnic circle, symbolizing the unity of the people and military during the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

Additionally, a stone relief titled “President Ho Chi Minh with the Northwest ethnic groups” is mounted at +26.9m on the flagpole.

The path to the flagpole consists of 519 steps (symbolizing the unity of 19 ethnic groups in Dien Bien Province) built to follow the natural slope of the hill. The project has been completed on schedule and in accordance with quality standards.

The A Pa Chai Flagpole is not only a landmark for tourism and landscape but also a symbol of patriotism, national pride, and the aspiration for sustainable national development. It serves as a “red address” to educate young generations on revolutionary traditions and affirms national sovereignty at the border region. Moreover, it will become a focal point in the Dien Bien – A Pa Chai westernmost tour route, creating momentum for local and provincial tourism, attracting visitors from all over and generating significant income for the people and region.

This event marks not only the successful completion of a historically meaningful project but also a sovereign landmark, asserting Vietnam's territorial integrity at the tri-border junction of Vietnam – Laos – China. It is also an opportunity to express profound gratitude to previous generations who fought and sacrificed for national border sovereignty and security. Furthermore, it marks a significant milestone in border management and preservation, contributing to the promotion of friendship and development cooperation with neighboring countries.

In his speech, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Thanh Do expressed heartfelt thanks to leaders of central agencies, the State Bank of Vietnam, and especially Nam A Bank for their support and favorable conditions in Dien Bien’s socioeconomic development, particularly in funding the A Pa Chai Flagpole project. He commended the efforts of the provincial Border Guard and related units for overcoming challenges during the construction process. He emphasized that the A Pa Chai Flagpole will be a tourism highlight of Muong Nhe in particular and Dien Bien in general, contributing to the province’s tourism becoming a key economic sector. Therefore, he called upon the Provincial Border Guard Command and related units to complete the remaining items and effectively manage and operate the site.

Le Anh Tu – Deputy General Director of Nam A Bank – shared that it was an honor and pride for the bank’s staff to accompany the project. He affirmed that the A Pa Chai Flagpole would serve not only as a cultural and historical highlight, contributing to patriotic education, but also as a driving force for economic, tourism, cultural exchange, and cross-border trade development in the Northwest region.

At the ceremony, the delegates performed the ribbon-cutting for the inauguration, raised the national flag to the majestic tune of the national anthem, and participated in commemorative photo sessions and tree planting at the foot of the A Pa Chai Flagpole.

Some photos from the A Pa Chai Flagpole inauguration ceremony:

Delegates attending the ceremony.

Mr. Le Thanh Do, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivering remarks.

Delegates went up to the flagpole to perform the flag-raising ceremony.

The road to the flagpole consists of 519 steps (symbolizing the 19 ethnic groups of Dien Bien province) following the natural terrain of the hillside.

Delegates performed the flag-raising ceremony at A Pa Chai flagpole.

The red flag with yellow star flutters in the sky of the Fatherland's border.

Delegates took souvenir photos with people of Sin Thau commune, Muong Nhe district.

Delegates planted souvenir trees in the Flagpole campus.

Comrade Le Thanh Do, Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, took souvenir photos with the project sponsor./.

Dienbien.gov.vn