The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army; Major General Nguyen Duc Manh, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard; Major General Nguyen Hong Thai, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Zone II; Tran Quoc Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People’s Council, Provincial People’s Committee and a large number of officers, soldiers from the armed forces and people of Dien Bien Province.
The A Pa Chai Flagpole started construction in November 2023, with a total investment of 31 billion VND. It is built on top of a mountain with a height of 1,459 metres above sea level in the Khoang La San Mountain range in Sin Thau Commune, approximately 1,400 metres from Marker 0, the Vietnam-Laos-China border junction.
Covering a total area of 407 square metres, the complex features a promenade, flag-raising yard, flower beds, and at its heart, the flagpole itself, symbolising the unity of ethnic communities gathering around the sacred flame of the nation. From above, the work resembles a “Ban” (Bauhinia) flower blooming in the northwestern mountainous region.
The flagpole has a total height of 45.19 metres; the size of the flag is 7.5 x 5 metres, and the body of the flagpole is shaped like an octagon. The flagpole’s base is highlighted by five reliefs depicting the distinctive cultural features of Northwest culture.
The A Pa Chai Flagpole is an architectural landmark of profound historical, cultural, and political significance, representing the nation’s sacred sovereignty. It will become a red address for educating future generations in the revolutionary tradition and affirming national sovereignty in this border region.
In addition, the work is expected to serve as a highlight on the Dien Bien–A Pa Chai westernmost tourism route, thereby fostering growth in the local tourism sector.
Expressing his sincere gratitude to leaders of central agencies and the State Bank of Viet Nam, particularly Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, for their support in Dien Bien’s socio-economic development and the construction of the flagpole, Le Thanh Do, Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee, commended the efforts of the provincial Border Guard and units for overcoming difficulties to ensure the project met both technical and aesthetic standards.
He emphasised that completing the A Pa Chai Flagpole will be a landmark for Muong Nhe and Dien Bien Province, helping to boost tourism into a spearhead economic sector.
Immediately after the plaque unveiling of the work, officials and residents of Dien Bien Province organised the first solemn flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai Flagpole.
