Dien Bien (VNA) – Muong Nhe, a border district in the northwest province of Dien Bien, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant ethnic diversity. With its unique cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, the district holds immense potential for tourism centred on exploration and cultural discove🐎ry.
When people think of Muong Nhe, the A Pa Chai marker often comes to mind. Situated on Khoan La San Mountain in Sin Thau commune, this border marker denotes the meeting point of Vietnam, Laos, and China. Standing at an elevation of 1,864 metres above sea level, the marker was completed on June 27, 2005. It is a two-metre-tall stone monument with three sides, each engraved with the national emblem and inscriptions in the language of one of the three countries. Locals often joke that this is where a rooster’s crow can be heard in all three nations.
As Vietnam’s westernmost point, A Pa Chai is a magnet for adventurers and nature lovers. In the past, reaching the marker require 3–4 hours of trekking through dense forests and streams. However, since 2018, a paved concrete path with steps has made the journey more accessible to visitors.
Nguyen Van Anh, a tourist from 🐼Hanoi, shared his experience of visiting Vietnam’s notable landmarks, including the northernmost point in Ha Giang and the southernmost point in Ca Mau. However, standing at the A Pa Chai marker, holding the Vietnamese flag, gave him a sense of pride and emotion. He said that conquering such milestone🍸s deepened his love for Vietnam.
Tourism highlights in Muong Nhe
Soldiers of A Pa Chai Border Guard Station in Muong Nhe district, Dien Bien province, coordinate with militia of Sin Thau commune to patrol and protect A Pa Chai marker on Khoan La San Mountain (Photo: VNA)
Beyond the journey to the A Pa Chải marker, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the A Pa Chai border market in Sin Thau commune. Open on the 3rd, 13th, and 23rd of each month, the market is a lively hub where tourists can shop, interact with locals, and engage with neighboring communities.
Additionally, the A Pa Chai–Long Phu border crossing is slated for an upgrade to an official border gate under a bilateral agreement between Vietnam and China. Muong Nhe boasts an array of attractions, including the Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, Quang Lam hot springs, and the cloud-hunting spot in Chuyen Gia 2 Hamlet. The district's terraced fields, particularly in Huoi Thanh hamlet, Nam Ke commune, resemble stunning natural paintings during the rice harvest season. For adventure enthusiasts, Muong Nhe’s rugged mountain ranges and towering peaks provide ideal opportunities for trekking and mountain climbing.
Home to ten ethnic groups, Muong Nhe is a vibrant tapestry of cultures. It is the only district in Dien Bien province where the Ha Nhi and Si La ethnic groups reside. Visitors can witness their distinctive traditional attire, rituals, and dances while sampling authentic ethnic cuisine.
The district also preserves eight ethnic festivals and three nationally recognised intangible cultural heritages, namely the Cong ethnic minority’s Cockscomb Flower Tet Festival, the Ha Nhi ethnic group’s Ga Ma Thu worship ritual, and their traditional garment-making techniques.
Additionally, the Thai Xoe dance has been honoured by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The People's Committee of Muong Nhe district is working with provincial authorities to establish a comprehensive tourism network. Their aim is to connect key landmarks, including the border junction between Vietnam, Laos and China, A Pa Chai border gate, the sovereignty flagpole, and the Ta Mieu spiritual site.
The district has also outlined a tourism development strategy aligned with cultural preservation for the 2021–2025 period, with a vision toward 2030.
Bui Minh Hai, Secretary of the district Party Committee, emphasised that since 2021, Muong Nhe has actively participated in regional tourism linkage programmes to promote tourism of the district and Dien Bien province to both domestic and international audiences./.
Dien Bien airport in the northwestern province of Dien Bien served more than 12,000 passengers from May 1-9, on the occasion of May Day holiday and the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7).
A legal knowledge contest on gender equality and gender-based violence prevention and response was held in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on December 1.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
