(VOVWORLD) - The Ban (Bauhinia) Flower Festival 2025 began on Thursday in Dien Bien province. Lasting until Sunday, the festival is a signature cultural event, organized alongside the 8th Dien Bien Ethnic Culture, Sports, and Tourism Festival.
 Every March, when the Ban flowers bloom, the entire mountain and forest suddenly light up in pure white. (Photo: Vu Loi/VOV) |
The festival showcases a variety of cultural, sports, and tourism activities that highlight the rich traditions of the ethnic communities in Dien Bien province. The grand opening ceremony will feature an elaborate arts performance, accompanied by a dazzling fireworks display. Visitors can also enjoy folk music and dance shows, folk sports competitions, and a street parade themed “Colors of Dien Bien.”
Adding to the festival’s international appeal, art troupes from Laos and Thailand will join domestic performers, fostering cultural exchange between Dien Bien province and neighboring countries. A major highlight of the festival is the “Beauty of Ban Flowers 2025” contest, themed “Charming Ban Flowers.”
 The rehearsal of the 2025 Ban Flower Festival. (Photo: dienbientv.vn) |
Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Dien Bien Provincial Cultural and Cinema Center, said: "This year’s contest will feature distinguished judges, including renowned beauty queens and pageant runners-up from Vietnam. This affirms the prestige and scale of the event. Moreover, contestants from other northwestern provinces will also participate."
The festival will feature traditional ethnic sports competitions, including con ball throwing, crossbow shooting, rice cake pounding, tug of war, bullet loading, and cargo bicycle pushing.
To ensure a stunning floral display, Dien Bien Phu city has carefully nurtured over 2,600 Ban (bauhinia) flower trees along its main roads, ensuring they bloom in time for the festival.
Do Ngoc Tu, Head of the Urban Management Department of Dien Bien Phu city, said: "Since February 15, we have been fertilizing the trees to stimulate sprouting and leaf shedding, creating the best flowering conditions. Additionally, we have applied pesticides and whitewashed the tree bases to ensure the flowers bloom beautifully for this year's Ban Flower Festival."
Held annually in mid-March, the Ban Flower Festival is a hallmark cultural celebration of Dien Bien province. With its vibrant activities, the event promises visitors an unforgettable and enriching experience.