On the morning of April 2nd, at Ban Phu Citadel Relic (Noong Het commune, Dien Bien district). Dien Bien District People's Committee, organized the opening ceremony of Ban Phu Citedal Festival 2024. Attending the opening ceremony included Mr. Tran Quoc Cuong, a member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Mua A Vang, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Dien Bien Dong district; Ms. Giang Thi Hoa, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Lo Van Tien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Representatives of leaders of a number of departments, branches, districts, towns and cities in the province.

Procession of offerings, dragon dances to celebrate the festival.

Also attending the ceremony were the delegation of Phon Thoong district, Luang Pha Bang province, the delegation of Muong May district, Phongsaly Province of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, as well as delegates from various cities and provinces of Viet Nam, also participated in the event.

The dragon dance performance at the ceremony.

The Ban Phu Citadel Festival is held annually on February 24^th and 25^th of the of the second lunar month to commemorate Commander Hoang Cong Chat. In the 18^th century,  Hoang Cong Chat, together with General Ngai and General Khanh, the two leaders of Thai ethnic group, led the local people to fight against Phe invaders and liberate Muong Thanh. For a long-term operation base, Hoang Cong Chat built Ban Phu Citadel.

The opening ceremony begins with a drum performance.

The epic performance to welcome the festival with the theme "The Majestic Citadel of Ban Phu" includes 3 chapters: Legend of Dien Bien; The majestic Citadel of Ban Phu and continuing the heroic history.

The Ban Phu Citadel and the Hoang Cong Chat Temple were officially recognized as national historic sites by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1981, respectively. This is where people and tourists eagerly seek to pay tribute to those who have serve the country, learn about history while praying for peace, fortune and sightseeing at the citadel. Over the past years, the Party Committee, Government, and People of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien district have always preserved, protected, and gradually restored and upgraded the Ban Phu Citadel historical site. Thereby, partially meeting the learning needs of domestic and foreign tourists, especially serving the cultural and religious needs of people of all ethnic groups inside and outside Dien Bien district.

Provincial Party Secretary Tran Quoc Cuong and delegates offered incense to commemorate the 255th anniversary of the death of General Hoang Cong Chat.

The Ban Phu Citadel Festival consists of two parts, the ceremony and the festival. The ceremony begins with a solemn procession and dragon dance, followed by the offering of incense and speech to review the process of fighting against invaders and protect the villages of Commander Hoang Cong Chat. The festival is organized with multiple cultural and artistic activities and traditional sports of the Northwestern people.

The delegates attended the festival.

The ceremony "Remembering the gratitude to General Hoang Cong Chat".

Ban Phu Citadel Festival - Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of ethnic groups in Dien Bien district in 2024 takes place from April 1-3, 2024./.

Dienbien.gov.vn