Dien Bien: Thanh Ban Phu Festival honors the nation's talented general

The historical relic of Ban Phu Citadel and Hoang Cong Chat Temple in Dien Bien District, Dien Bien Province was ranked and recognized by the State as a National Historical Relic in 1981. The relic is associated with the names of leader Hoang Cong Chat and General Lo Ngai, General Lo Khanh. The generals fought bravely with the people of Muong Thanh ethnic groups to defeat the Phe invaders to protect Ban Muong and the Northwest mountains and forests 271 years ago.

The Ban Phu Citadel Festival marks a historical event of our nation in the 18th century and demonstrates the solidarity of ethnic groups. Photo: Thu Thuy

The names and careers of leader Hoang Cong Chat, general Lo Ngai and general Lo Khanh will forever be engraved in the 4,000-year history of building and defending the country; marking a historical event of our nation in the 18th century and demonstrating the solidarity of ethnic groups.

Then 200 years later, in May 1954, under the talented leadership and command of the Party and great Uncle Ho, our people achieved the heroic and historic Dien Bien Phu Victory, resounding throughout the five continents and shaking the world.

Thanh Ban Phu Festival is associated with the traditional morality of remembering the source of water of our nation. Photo: Binh Trong

To show respect and deep gratitude, with the tradition of remembering the source of water, in recent years, the Party, State and people here have paid attention to preserving, embellishing and investing in building the historical relic of Thanh Ban Phu and Hoang Cong Chat temple to make it more and more majestic.

Every year on the 23rd and 24th of the second lunar month, the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien district solemnly organize a festival and offer incense to commemorate the leader General Hoang Cong Chat, General Lo Ngai, General Lo Khanh and the insurgents at the national historical site of Ban Phu Citadel.

Thanh Ban Phu Festival attracts a large number of people and tourists from all over the world. Photo: Thu Thuy

Hoang Cong Chat Temple has long been famous as one of the sacred temples; a famous spiritual tourist destination in the Northwest region. He is a symbol, a belief in the spirit of great solidarity among ethnic groups, patriotism, and resistance against foreign invaders of the ethnic groups in the Northwest region.

Many typical OCOP products of Dien Bien province's localities are promoted at the Ban Phu Citadel Festival. Photo: Binh Trong

Therefore, for a long time, Thanh Ban Phu Festival has played a particularly important role in the spiritual and cultural life of the community; it is a creative product that demonstrates community cohesion. The cultural identity in Thanh Ban Phu Festival has been maintained, practiced, and passed down from generation to generation by the community, with a strong influence on the spiritual and cultural life of the ethnic communities in Dien Bien district.

Within the framework of the 2025 Dien Bien Province Ban Flower Festival, the Thanh Ban Phu Festival (Dien Bien District) continues to be held with many unique activities to promote the image, people, customs, and culture of the ethnic groups living together in the area... Coming to the festival, people and tourists will be able to participate in unique rituals: Procession of offerings, welcoming activities, drum performances, congratulatory messages, incense offering ceremony and the "Remembering General Hoang Cong Chat" worship part. Enjoy the performance of xoè dance, community stalls and singing performances, folk games, introduction of ethnic costumes, enjoy Northwest cuisine or the art corner displaying paintings, photos; OCOP products of Dien Bien.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/dien-bien-le-hoi-thanh-ban-phu-ton-vinh-vi-tuong-tai-cua-dan-toc-379567.html