Dien Bien Phu is the capital city of Dien Bien province in northwestern Vietnam. The city is located in the Muong Thanh valley, about 20 km long and 6 km wide. Because of this, it is sometimes called "Dien Bien basin". Dien Bien Phu is considered a border city because it is only about 35 km from the border with Laos.
Best time to visit
Go to Dien Bien on the occasion of the Dien Bien Phu victory anniversary on May 7 to join in and celebrate with the people of Dien Bien on this special occasion. Go around March of the solar calendar, which is the season of Ban flowers blooming white in the Northwest sky. In December of the solar calendar, on Highway 6 to Dien Bien, wild sunflowers bloom brightly yellow on both sides of the road. Go around August-September to combine with rice field viewing in some other regions. Go in November to combine with canola flower viewing in Moc Chau.
Means of transport
There are many ways to get to Dien Bien from Hanoi. You can fly from Noi Bai directly to Dien Bien airport. This is considered the most convenient and leisurely way, but tourists rarely choose this way. Most people going to Dien Bien will go by road.
From Hanoi, follow Highway 6 through Son La, Thuan Chau, cross Pha Din Pass to Tuan Giao and then turn onto Highway 279 to Dien Bien. If you do not like to go by car, you can also plan to go by motorbike straight from Hanoi to Dien Bien, with a distance of about 500km, it will take you a whole day to travel straight.
Tourist attractions
The most prominent in Dien Bien in general and Dien Bien Phu city in particular is the Dien Bien Phu historical relic system including: Dien Bien Phu - Muong Phang campaign headquarters, Him Lam, Ban Keo, Doc Lap bases, A1, C1, D1, E1 hills and the central area of the French base group. Coming to Dien Bien, in addition to the strong impression of our nation's victory, you can also admire the wild and majestic beauty. Besides, Dien Bien also treats visitors to the magical cave system at Pa Thom, Tham Pua, Hua Pe and U Va hot mineral springs, suitable for relaxation or the mythical beauty at Pa Khoang, Pe Luong and Huoi Ba lakes.
In addition, visiting, exploring and experiencing the lives of more than 20 ethnic groups in the villages or conquering the 32km long Pha Din Pass, one of the four great passes of Vietnam, is also an attraction for those who love backpacking.
Specialties in Dien Bien
Sticky rice, smoked buffalo meat or Bauhinia flowers are special dishes when visiting the historic land of Dien Bien Phu. In addition, visitors can buy Sau Chit wine, a wine soaked with Chit worms, bear bile plants, plums, Yen Chau mangoes, Dien Bien Tam rice, Shan Tuyet tea... all sold at Muong Thanh Market.
Shopping
For gifts, you can buy buffalo meat, dried beef, fresh bamboo shoots, especially Dien Bien rice is very delicious. In Dien Bien city, wild game meat is available for sale like pork in the lowlands. There is special wine made from chit worms, honey bee wine, Lao geckos... If you want to give gifts, you can buy chit worms to soak in wine: 500,000 VND/kg. Geckos 80,000 VND/piece; Pipits 200,000 VND/piece... are sold right at Central Market 1.
