Who will be the first to cross between Vietnam and Laos at Dien Bien?
Links about the trip are on
http://rectravel.com/din
One big beer Lao to the first who uploads pictures from the trip!
More news about upcoming events in the area are on
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2003-09/12/Stories/05.htm
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Dien Bien Phu plans celebrations
LAI CHAU — The north-western province of Lai Chau has quickly finished
preparations to mark the 50th anniversary of the victory which ended
the French colonialist regime in Viet Nam.
The secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Trinh Long Bien, said
at a press conference in Ha Noi on Tuesday the province has prepared
an excellent celebration programme. It will cover the culture, history
and architecture of the area.
The work to upgrade and repair sites at Dien Bien Phu is nearly
complete. They include the headquarters of the commanding staff in
Muong Phang, the A1 and Him Lam hills, the Dien Bien Phu museum, the
headquarters of the French forces, and a monument dedicated to the
fallen soldiers.
The 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Battle will be held on May
7, 2004. Using a phrase from the Prime Minister, many are planning a
"Dien Bien Phu Tourism Year."
The number of flights on the Dien Bien – Ha Noi air route will
increase from four per day at present to eight next month.
Home to famous historical sites and rich in ethnic minority culture,
Lai Chau Province has two border gates, Ma Lu Thang and Tay Trang,
which benefit from the State's economic policies.
The province's GDP growth rate averaged 7.9 per cent annually between
2001 and 2003. It is likely to reach 9.2 per cent this year alone. In
the first eight months of this year, the province had an import-export
turnover of US$70 million. — VNS |