From the 1700 meter summit of Pu To Co, overlooking the Dien Bien basin, visitors can almost relive the nations heroic past, when General Vo Nguyen Giap and the command of the Dien Bien Phu campaign observed and directed decisive battles of the historic campaign.

Over seven decades later, Pu To Co has evolved beyond a “victory observation post” to become a distinctive tourist destination, seamlessly integrating historical, cultural, ecological, and economic values, opening new pathways for development in Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien province.

Reviving heritage to drive historical and experiential tourism

Pu To Co is part of the Dien Bien Phu special national historic site, where General Vo Nguyen Giap personally observed the battlefield and issued the general assault order on May 7, 1954 - a luminous milestone in Vietnamese history. From this strategic vantage, visitors can survey the entire core of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold, from Muong Thanh airfield and Pe Luong Lake to surrounding villages in the basin.

Capitalizing on this historical potential, the province has invested in infrastructure to develop Pu To Co as a tourism site combined with heritage education. Access roads, parking areas, bilingual signage, and visitor facilities are being progressively completed. Domestic and international groups, including students, officers, and tourists frequently visit to study and connect with the campaign that “shook the five continents and reverberated worldwide.”

Tourism at Pu To Co is not only a means to preserve historical value but also a strategic step in transforming Muong Phang’s economy from purely agricultural to service- and tourism-oriented, aligning with the provinces vision for a green and sustainable economy that safeguards ethnic cultural identity.

Balancing economic and historical value

By 2030, Muong Phang - Pu To Co is projected to become a key highlight within the Dien Bien Phu - Pa Khoang national tourism area, featuring historical, ecological, community, and high-end resort tourism. The province is focusing on transport infrastructure, digitalizing heritage sites, installing multilingual automated guides, and implementing QR codes and 360° virtual tours to enhance visitor experiences. Private investment in cable cars, scenic services, and eco-resorts is seen as a central strategy to boost local tourism.

Linking tourism with local products is a major focus. OCOP items and highland specialties - Muong Phang honey, cardamom, shan tea, Muong Phang rice wine are promoted at tourist sites, creating a continuous value chain connecting tourism, commerce, and agriculture.

Experiential tourism programs like “in the footsteps of the general” allow visitors to traverse a 9km forest trail, simulating the historic mountain marches of soldiers while enjoying pristine forests and the majestic landscapes of Northwest Vietnam.

In 2024, the provincial government approved a detailed subzone plan integrating urban development, services, and cable cars around Dien Bien Phu. This multifunctional area, combined with cultural-historical and ecological sites, will host resorts, cultural attractions, and eco-urban developments, attracting both domestic and international tourists and positioning Muong Phang as a hub for historical, ecological, and leisure tourism.

Linking tourism with community livelihoods

A special focus of Pu To Co’s development is connecting tourism with community-based economic activities. With its pristine forests, Pa Khoang Lake, and ethnic Thai, Mong, and Kho Mu villages rich in cultural heritage, Muong Phang is emerging as a center for eco and community tourism. Local households participate through homestays, traditional cuisine, such as Pa pinh top grilled fish, sticky rice, black chicken and handicrafts like brocade weaving and basketry, boosting income and creating sustainable livelihoods.

Experiential programs like “a day as a Dien Bien soldier,” “a day as a highland farmer,” or “check-in at historical milestones, enjoy ethnic cuisine” allow each tourism product to tell a living cultural story. The province also invests in local human resource training, enhancing communication, guiding, service, and hospitality skills, fostering the image of “friendly, welcoming Dien Bien people” to the world.

Today, Pu To Co stands not only as a sacred site commemorating national victory but also as a symbol of Dien Bien’s aspirations, connecting a heroic past with a prosperous future, where history harmonizes with modern life, tourism drives economic growth, and national pride and love for the homeland are celebrated.