Vietnam to upgrade Dien Bien Phu airport ahead of 50th anniversary
HANOI - Airport facilities at Dien
Bien Phu, the scene of
France's epic defeat in
May 1954 to Vietnamese
communist forces, will be
renovated ahead of the
50th anniversary of the
historic battle, officials said
Friday.
Located in a valley in the mountainous province of Lai
Chau, some 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of
Hanoi, the airport will be expanded to cope with an
expected influx of tourists flying in to mark the event.
The size of its hangar will be doubled and the capacity of
the airport terminal will be tripled, a spokesman for the
local government said.
"We are hoping to begin construction work as soon as
possible. We are currently in negotiations with the Ministry
of Transport," he said.
Once the renovation work is completed, the airport will be
able to cater two daily flights carrying a total of 300
passengers.
Currently, there is only one flight a day to the town, which
has become symbolic with the demise of French colonial
rule in Indochina.
Last year, more than 30,00 passengers flew into Dien Bien
Phu, but the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
says it is expecting around 100,000 people to visit the
region during the anniversary year.
It plans to promote 2004 as the Year of Dien Bien Phu-Lai
Chau Tourism in honour of the communist victory over its
colonial masters.
Some 3,200 French troops were killed and disappeared
during the 55-day siege of their base which ended on May
7, 1954.
Agence France Press - February 21, 2003.
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