First solemn flag-raising ceremony held at A Pa Chai Flagpole

The event was attended by Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, Secretary of the Dien Bien provincial Party Committee Tran Quoc Cuong; representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, Military Region 2, Vietnam Border Guard Command, and Dien Bien province.

The plaque of the A Pa Chai Flagpole unveiled

The construction of A Pa Chai Flagpole started in November 2023, with a total investment of VND 31 billion. It is located on top of a mountain with a height of 1,459 meters above sea level in the Khoang La San Mountain range in Sin Thau commune, approximately 1,400 meters from Marker 0, the Vietnam-Laos-China border junction.

Delegates attend the flag-raising ceremony.

The flagpole has a total height of 45.19 meters; the size of the flag is 7.5 x 5 meters, 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, following five main themes, including the legend of the Mother Gourd – a legend of the Khmu ethnic group.

In addition, the flagpole top is covered with stone reliefs showing a picture of the late President Ho Chi Minh with the Northwestern ethnic groups.

Immediately after the plaque unveiling of the work, officials and residents of Dien Bien province organized the first solemn flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai Flagpole.

Translated by Song Anh