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Dien Bien Phu is the provincial capital of Dien Bien Province in northwestern Vietnam. The city is situated in the Muong Thanh Valley, approximately 20 km long and 6 km wide. Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the "Dien Bien Basin". Dien Bien Phu is considered a border city, being only about 35 km from the border with Laos.
The best time to visit
Visit Dien Bien Phu on the 7th of May, the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, to immerse yourself in the festivities with the local people. Around March is the season when the Bauhinia flowers bloom, blanketing the Northwest region in white. In December, the stretch of National Highway 6 leading to Dien Bien is covered in vibrant yellow wildflowers. Visit around August or September to combine your trip with rice field viewing in other areas. Visit in November to combine it with a trip to see the mustard flower fields in Moc Chau.
Means of transportation
There are many ways to get to Dien Bien from Hanoi. You can fly directly from Noi Bai Airport to Dien Bien Airport. This is considered the most convenient and relaxed way, but tourists rarely choose this option. Most people traveling to Dien Bien will choose to go by road.
From Hanoi, take National Highway 6 through Son La and Thuan Chau, cross Pha Din Pass to Tuan Giao, then turn onto National Highway 279 to Dien Bien. If you don't like traveling by car, you can also plan a motorbike trip directly from Hanoi to Dien Bien; the journey of about 500km will take a full day.
Tourist destinations
The most prominent feature of Dien Bien Phu in general, and Dien Bien Phu city in particular, is the Dien Bien Phu historical site system, including: the Dien Bien Phu campaign command post - Muong Phang, the Him Lam, Ban Keo, and Doc Lap strongholds, the A1, C1, D1, and E1 hills, and the central area of the French fortified complex. Besides the powerful impression of our nation's victory, visitors to Dien Bien can also admire its majestic and pristine beauty. In addition, Dien Bien also offers visitors the mystical cave system at Pa Thom and Tham Pua, the hot springs of Hua Pe and U Va, perfect for relaxation, and the mythical beauty of the lakes of Pa Khoang, Pe Luong, and Huoi Ba.
In addition, 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 enjoy backpacking.
Specialties in Dien Bien
Sticky rice from mountain fields, smoked buffalo meat, or bauhinia flowers are some of the unique dishes when visiting the historical land of Dien Bien Phu. In addition, visitors can buy Sâu Chít wine, a type of wine made by soaking the Sâu Chít worm, bear bile plant, plums, Yen Chau mangoes, Tam Dien Bien rice, San Tuyet tea... all sold at Muong Thanh Market.
Shopping
Regarding souvenirs, you can buy buffalo meat, dried beef, various kinds of fresh bamboo shoots, and especially Dien Bien rice, which is very delicious. In Dien Bien City, wild game meat is readily available, similar to pork in the lowlands. There are also specialty wines made from silkworm larvae, ground bee wine, and Lao geckos... If you want to buy them as gifts, you can buy silkworm larvae to soak in wine: 500,000 VND/kg. Geckos are 80,000 VND/each; bitterns are 200,000 VND/each... available at Central Market 1.
