Joining thousands of local people on the occasion were Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat; Tong Thi Phong, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman; Huynh Dam, member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Lo Mai Trinh spoke of the great significance of the victory – one of the glittering feat of arms and a golden mark in the country’s history of fighting against foreign aggressors for national liberation, construction and defence.

After 55 years of liberation, the province has focused on overcoming the aftermath of the war, promoting economic restructuring and developing its potentials. Its economy grew by 8.3% annually in the 2001-05 period and the rate reached 10.87% per year from 2006-08. The proportion of industry, construction and services in the province’s economy has been rising year after year.

The Party and State have recognized the accomplishments of Dien Bien Province with numerous honours, including the Gold Star Medal, the Ho Chi Minh Medal, the Independence Medal and Labour Medal.

On this occasion, Dien Bien was bestowed with the Ho Chi Minh Medal for the second time.

A procession and an art-sport programme were also held to mark the event.