(VOVWORLD) - The digital era is opening up unprecedented opportunities to connect and spread cultural heritage to the wider public. Dien Bien province is working diligently to promote its rich cultural identity through digital platforms.
 Digital content creator Luu Minh Khuong and some of his photos featuring the landscape of Dien Bien. (Source: DTV) |
“My return to Dien Bien this time is right during the Ban flower (Bauhinia) season. The roads from the city to the villages are filled with stunning blooms. On this trip, I also want to learn more about the historical stories and cultural beauty of the local people. Everyone should visit Dien Bien at least once in their life.”
That’s an invitation to Dien Bien from photographer and digital content creator Luu Minh Khuong, who has captured moments in villages full of blooming Ban flowers to share with friends in the digital space.
Ban flowers are closely associated with the lives of ethnic people in Dien Bien. When the flowers bloom, Thai boys and girls in traditional costumes sing songs about the familiar flower, expressing their hopes for a beautiful and prosperous life ahead.
 Visitors take picture under a Ban tree. (Photo: VOV/Vu Loi) |
In villages painted golden by earthen houses, Ha Nhi ethnic minority women are busy preparing cakes for the rainy season festival, held in the third lunar month to pray for good weather and abundant rice crops.
Using homegrown ingredients like rice and sesame, they make white and dark purple sticky rice cakes as offerings to their ancestors, hoping for a bountiful harvest. With just a small camera, content creator Bui Ngoc Cong has captured these vibrant cultural moments of Dien Bien’s communities.
“Dien Bien has 19 ethnic groups with diverse cultural identities. I’ve had the chance to meet and engage with people from the Ha Nhi, Thai, Mong, and Dao groups. I really want to share that experience and bring these cultures closer to everyone,” said Cong.
 The Ha Nhi women in their traditional costumes. (Photo: VOV/Vu Loi) |
Other content creators are also coming up with ideas and plans to promote their homeland and support local tourism. Nguyen Nam Khanh has produced many videos with over a million views.
Alongside showcasing historical sites tied to the legendary 1954 Dien Bien Phu victory, Khanh focuses much of his content on ethnic cultures. His videos highlight the craftsmanship of Mong women, shown in the intricate lines of traditional beeswax painting. Each story he tells reflects a unique cultural trait that local communities are preserving in the face of modern changes.
“As a native of Dien Bien, I feel it’s my mission to bring people a fresh perspective on the culture, people, and ethnic communities here. Dien Bien isn’t just a land of historical significance, it also boasts stunning natural scenery and rich culture,” said Khanh.
Previously, event promotion relied mostly on print, TV, or direct outreach. Now, social media and digital platforms can spread information quickly to millions in a short time.
“Our ‘Dien Bien Tourism’ Facebook page now has nearly 2 million followers. We also ramp up promotion through websites and digital publications sent to travel agencies. We regularly refresh our content to keep it engaging and in line with viewer trends,” said Dang Minh Phuong, Director of Dien Bien’s Center for Tourism Promotion.
With this momentum, digital platforms will continue to play a key role in promoting Dien Bien’s image to the world, affirming the province’s place on Vietnam’s tourism map.