Nestled in a heart shaped basin near the border with Laos, Dien Bien Phu has an infamous history as the location of a stunning Vietnamese victory over the occupying French Forces. Perhaps, Dien Bien Phu is one of Vietnam's best kept travel secrets - especially for those with an interest in history. But there's more for you to explore...
5 reasons to visit Dien Bien Phu
Explore Vietnam’s war-time history.
Visit Dien Bien Phu, A-1 Hill and Song La Prisons, relics of Vietnam’s tragic military history.
Encounter hilltribe cultures in Dien Bien Province
Visit Muong Lay, nice stop by the Black River
Visit Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, The Pha Din pass
Travel to Dien Bien Phu on the occasion of Dien Bien Phu Victory day 7/5 to enjoy themselves and enjoy the Dien Bien people in this special occasion. However, this holiday Dien Bien especially crowded by the delegation in large numbers. On this occasion you should book a hotel in Dien Bien Phu before 1-2 months.
1. Victory Monument Of Dien Bien Phu
Dien Bien Phu battlefield relics are a collection of historical relics that record the victories of Vietnamese troops and soldiers during the heroic resistance against the French colonialists. The prominent relics of the old battlefield of Dien Bien are the hills of A1, C1, C2, D1, Hong Cuc, Him Lam, Doc Lap, Muong Thanh bridge and airport, the commander of General Catri.
2. Dien Bien Victory Monument
Victory monument Dien Bien Phu consists of 3 standing soldiers, raising a Thai baby, the top is decisive victory. The statue is 16.6m high, brass material, reinforced concrete structural gut, weighing 220 tons. The Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument located on D1 Hill is located at the center of Dien Bien Phu City, Dien Bien Province.
3. Hill A1
Hill A1 is located in Muong Thanh ward. One of the most important base in the conglomerate of French colonialists in Dien Bien Phu. It is located in the direction of Northwest – Southeast, including 2 peaks: Northwest is higher than 490m, Southeast is 493m higher. A1 is the symbol that the Vietnamese army places on the hill. On the morning of May 7, 1954, the Vietnamese army captured the A1 hill.
4. Martyr’s Cemetery Hill A1
The A1 Martyrs’ Cemetery, a few hundred meters south of the historic Hill Point (Dien Bien Phu), was built in 1958. There are 644 graves of soldiers who have died in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Most of them are unknown tombs, with only four graves named heroic martyrs.
5. General Director Of Do Cat Tunnels
General Director of Do Cat is located at the center of the Dien Bien Phu fortress cluster, in Muong Thanh field, Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province. The structure and layout of the tunnel are still intact. Around the tunnel is a defensive line with dense barbed wire and four tanks. Sand Dune is 20m long and 8m wide, including four space for both working and accommodation.
6. Dien Bien Phu Campaign Commander
Dien Bien Phu Campaign Commander is located in a primeval forest in Muong Phang Commune. It’s about 25 km east of Dien Bien Phu City. This is the work of comrade Vo Nguyen Giap, Hoang Van Thai … Close to the headquarters with the observation tower on the top of the altitude over 1,000m. This observation tower can cover activities and developments in Muong Thanh valley.
7. Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum
Situated in Pho 1 Street, Muong Thanh Ward. The museum was built in 1984 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu.
At the end of 2003, Dien Bien Phu Museum upgraded and revisited the exhibition. Presently, the museum has 5 exhibits with 274 artifacts and 122 paintings by each owner.
8. Muong Thanh Bridge
The bridge is a military facility located in the central division of the Dien Bien Phu fortress cluster. Muong Thanh iron bridge is a ready-made bridge and transported from France to Dien Bien. The entire bridge is 40m long, 5m wide.
9. Community Tourist Spots In Dien Bien
Community tourism is increasingly chosen by many domestic and international visitors as the preferred type of tourism. Coming to Dien Bien, you can experience community tourism in cultural tourism. Here, you will be immersed in the living space of ethnic minority people, learn the traditional cultural values, rich indigenous nuances of the Northwest highlands, enjoy folk songs, unique people and explore culinary culture with delicious dishes prepared by the people in the village.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines Vasco is the only airline to operate the Hanoi – Dien Bien flight. The aircraft used for this flight is ATR 72 with a frequency of 2 flights a day. Time to fly to Dien Bien is only about 1 hour so it will save much more than going by car.
Dien Bien bus runs daily at My Dinh Bus Station, the car runs about 12-13 hours. Traveling by bed is another advantage that can send a motorbike. If you do not like to go by car you can also schedule a motorcycle trip straight from Hanoi to Dien Bien, with a distance of 500km you will take a whole day to move straight.
Dien Bien is a popular destination for tourists to visit Dien Bien Phu relics. Mainly visitor come here are old so mainly transfer by taxi. There are a number of units started to rent motorbike services in Dien Bien but not much, you can refer to the article below.