Dien Bien, located roughly 450 kilometers from Hanoi, shares its borders with Son La and Lai Chau, and has frontiers with China and Laos. The capital metropolis is Dien Bien Phu, which incorporates Muong Lay City and eight districts.

The area experiences a tropical monsoon local weather characterised by excessive mountains, chilly winters with minimal rainfall, and scorching summers with ample precipitation, influenced by dry and heat westerlies.

The typical annual temperature ranges between 21 to 23 levels Celsius, with the bottom recorded at round 13 levels Celsius and the very best reaching about 25 levels Celsius.

The dry season extends from October to April of the next 12 months, whereas the wet season usually spans from Might to August. The sunniest months are March-April and August-September.

Dien Bien is house to a set of historic websites commemorating Vietnam’s victory on the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

Moreover, Dien Bien options quite a few caves, mineral water sources, and lakes that contribute to its pure tourism sources, such because the Muong Nhe primeval forest, and the U Va and Pa Khoang lakes.

WHERE TO VISIT

The Dien Bien Phu Battlefield Relics Advanced is a key cease for exploring historic websites in Dien Bien Province. Conveniently located shut to one another, these places enable vacationers to discover them in a single go to.

Hill A1

Located in Muong Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu Metropolis, the capital of the province, A1 Hill stands as an important battleground of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

Initially recognized by numerous names, the slope was formally designated A1 Hill by the Vietnamese navy. Surrounding A1, the French military constructed a system of barbed wire fences. On the hill’s summit lies a fortified cellar, as soon as serving because the French legation’s wine cellar earlier than 1945.

The cellar, divided into two compartments, one in every of them housed the radio data division. Constructed with strong brick partitions and a thick concrete roof, the tunnel might shelter dozens of individuals. A1 Hill nonetheless bears witness to a blast gap created by 960 kilograms of explosives.

Right this moment, guests to A1 Hill can’t solely get pleasure from sightseeing but additionally partake in hands-on actions. These embody cooking troopers’ rice utilizing Hoang Cam range, a range consumption and chimney system designed to disperse and dissipate cooking smoke. Guests may partake in actions akin to aiding with bicycle transport for requirements, and listening to tales in regards to the Dien Bien Phu marketing campaign and the troopers’ lives in fight.

Normal (Christian Marie Ferdinand de la Croix) de Castries’s bunker

Normal de Castries’s bunker was constructed by the French colonialists within the heart of the Dien Bien Phu Fortress. The bunker, acknowledged as “essentially the most strong tunnel in Indochina,” is positioned roughly 1 kilometer from Hill A1. The encompassing space is protected by a defensive fence that includes a barbed wire system and 4 tanks.

At the moment, the construction and association of the bunker are well-preserved for guests to discover. The tunnel itself is 20 meters lengthy and eight meters huge, containing 4 rooms that served as each residing and dealing quarters for Normal de Castries and his troopers.

Dien Bien Phu Museum

Situated in Muong Thanh Ward, the Dien Bien Phu Museum, inaugurated on Might 5, 2014, following 19 months of development, stands as a monumental achievement of historic, cultural, and inventive significance.

Constructed with an outer facade of ornamental parts that resemble diamonds, the design symbolizes the camouflage web of military helmets. The museum includes a basement and an higher ground.

The basement serves as a welcoming house for guests, offering an surroundings for studying, interplay, and leisure companies. In the meantime, the higher ground is devoted to thematic exhibitions centered across the victory of Dien Bien Phu, that includes an space of 1,250 m2 displaying practically 1,000 paperwork, artifacts, photos, and maps.

A notable spotlight is the panoramic portray, boasting over 4,500 characters. This paintings is 132 meters lengthy, 20.5 meters excessive, with a 42-meter diameter, masking a complete space of greater than 3,200 m2. Executed in oil on canvas, the portray was began in November 2019 and was accomplished on Might 1, 2021, with the collaboration of roughly 100 artists. It portrays the levels of the 1954 Dien Bien Phu Marketing campaign.

Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument

Inaugurated on Might 7, 2004, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the monument stands on Hill D1 within the metropolis heart. This assortment of monuments represents the tallest, largest, and heaviest meeting of bronze statues in Vietnam to this point. The principle statue stands at a peak of 12.6 meters and was crafted utilizing 217 tons of bronze.

A1 Nationwide Martyrs Cemetery

Located on Vo Nguyen Giap Road, only a few hundred meters from A1 Hill, this cemetery serves as the ultimate resting place for 644 officers and troopers who misplaced their lives within the Dien Bien Phu Marketing campaign. The vast majority of the location is occupied by unmarked graves. The principle constructing options the stilt home structure of the Thai individuals in Dien Bien, whereas the outside ceremonial platform is designed in accordance with Khue Van Cac, an architectural characteristic of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

Marketing campaign headquarters in Muong Phang Commune

The Dien Bien Phu Marketing campaign headquarters relic in Muong Phang Commune is located over 1,000 meters above sea stage, nestled on the base of Pu Don Mountain and hid throughout the forest cover, greater than 30 kilometers from the middle of Dien Bien Phu Metropolis.

The Command Publish’s buildings are organized in a steady system, enveloped back and front, incorporating bunks and camps for secrecy and security. This location served because the working and resting place for Normal Vo Nguyen Giap throughout the marketing campaign.

From the very best vantage level, guests can get pleasure from a panoramic view of Dien Bien Phu Metropolis, Muong Thanh Valley, and French military bases akin to Him Lam Hill, Doc Lap Hill, D1 Hill, C1 Hill, and A1 Hill. The Victory Monument cluster at Muong Phang Park is a really helpful cease for guests.

Moreover, Muong Phang boasts a cherry backyard that blooms throughout spring, located on an island in the course of Pa Khoang lake.

Pha Din Cross

Stretching 32 kilometers alongside Nationwide Freeway 6, Pha Din Cross serves because the gateway to Dien Bien Province. The cross reaches an elevation of 1,648 meters above sea stage, with one aspect that includes a cliff and the opposite an abyss. This location marks the start of the journey undertaken by Vietnamese troopers and civilians throughout the Dien Bien Phu Marketing campaign, involving the guide transportation of artillery, meals, weapons, and ammunition.

Pha Din Cross, now safer with wider roads, options winding paths and a vacationer space for resting and having fun with the surroundings. It additionally facilitates exchanges between individuals from Dien Bien and Son La Provinces.

Muong Thanh Subject and Nam Rom River

In Dien Bien’s coronary heart, Muong Thanh Subject is sort of a giant “storehouse” full of corn and rice. By late September, the rice within the Muong Thanh basin begins ripening.

The sector is greater than 20 kilometers lengthy and about 6 kilometers huge, located over 400 meters above sea stage. When seen from above, it appears like flower petals alongside the Nam Rom River, surrounding the historic websites of the Dien Bien Phu Battle.

Muong Nhe District

Muong Nhe, located within the northwest of the province, hosts the westernmost level of Vietnam on the Vietnam-Laos-China border junction, roughly 250 kilometers from the middle of Dien Bien Phu Metropolis.

The area is roofed by forests, constituting 55% of its complete space. Moreover, Muong Nhe is house to the Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, one in every of Vietnam’s largest special-use forests, that includes a various ecosystem.

A Pa Chai, positioned in Muong Nhe, is famend as essentially the most outstanding vacation spot. It homes the milestone zero coordinate atop Khoan La San Mountain, put in by the three international locations on June 27, 2005. Crafted from granite, all sides of the milestone is engraved with the respective nation’s identify and nationwide emblem. Market days at A Pa Chai, occurring on the third, thirteenth, and twenty third of each month, spotlight the cultural richness of the border area.

The journey to A Pa Chai is comparatively simple throughout the dry season however can change into difficult and even hazardous within the wet season. It’s advisable for guests to have a information to make sure security.

Muong Lay City

Muong Lay City, often known as the capital of the White Thai individuals, lets guests take a ship experience on the Da River to get pleasure from nature and study Thai tradition. A must-visit in Muong Lay is the Hold Tom Bridge, connecting Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces.

The unique Hold Tom Bridge, constructed in 1967, as soon as held the excellence of being the biggest cable-stayed bridge in Indochina. Nonetheless, in November 2012, the Son La hydroelectric dam overflowed, submerging the whole previous Muong Lay City, together with the Hold Tom Bridge, which was then beneath the waters of the Da River.

Within the neighborhood of the previous Hold Tom bridge website, a brand new bridge has been constructed, positioned 70 meters greater than its predecessor.

Dien Bien Dong District

Located within the southeast of Dien Bien Province, Dien Bien Dong is a district characterised by towering peaks, making it a super vacation spot for trekking adventures.

The Chop Ly Peak, positioned 35 kilometers from Dien Bien Phu Metropolis, gives a view of mountain surroundings with clouds. The very best time for cloud searching is from April to September.

Dien Bien Dong additionally options Noong U Lake, a pure lake in a inexperienced mountain setting, masking about 4 hectares, attracting guests for its lovely surroundings.

Moreover, neighboring districts like Muong Cha, Muong Ang, Nam Po, Tua Chua have ecotourism areas and locations appropriate for tourism, akin to trekking mountains or studying in regards to the lives of indigenous tribes.

U Va Scorching Spring

Situated round 15 kilometers from Dien Bien Phu Metropolis in Dien Bien District, U Va Scorching Spring covers an space of 73,000 m2. The very best time to go to is from November to April when it’s cooler. The recent mineral spring gives numerous companies for leisure.

If you wish to soak in scorching minerals, it’s finest within the early morning or afternoon. Afterward, you possibly can partake in different actions like tennis, biking, badminton, in addition to get pleasure from conventional music performances from the Dao and Hmong ethnic teams.

Entrance tickets vary from VND20,000 to VND120,000 (US$0.80-4.90) per individual, and stilt home lodging vary from VND120,000 to VND220,000 per room.

Ban Phu Citadel

Ban Phu Citadel (often known as Chieng Le Citadel) in Dien Bien District, 8 kilometers south of Dien Bien Phu Metropolis heart, was constructed 200 years in the past. The citadel was constructed by Hoang Cong Chat (1706-1769), who led native individuals towards village tyrants, robbers, and northern invaders.

Regardless of injury from previous invasions, the citadel retains historic, cultural, and scientific worth. In 1981, it was designated a nationwide historic and cultural relic by the Ministry of Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism.

WHAT TO EAT

Grilled rooster with mac khen

Mac khen, a typical spice within the northwest mountains, provides a definite taste to the grilled rooster right here in comparison with comparable dishes somewhere else. It imparts a citrusy and barely numbing sensation to the palate, just like Sichuan peppercorns.

Pa pinh high

This specialty from Dien Bien is basically grilled fish, notably numerous carp varieties. After cleansing, the fish is sliced alongside the backbone. Spices, akin to ginger, lemongrass, herbs, mac khen, and buds of the sa nhan – wurfbainia villosa plant, are marinated and stuffed into the fish’s stomach. The outer half is seasoned with galangal powder and toasted rice powder earlier than being grilled over charcoal. To accentuate the flavour, a bamboo stick is employed to safe the fish, permitting the spices to infuse deeply, leading to a aromatic and candy meat.

Braised duck with banana blossoms

After cleansing, the duck meat is marinated with spices like chili, ginger, lemongrass, and mac khen. It is then wrapped in banana leaves together with sliced banana blossoms and braised for about 3 hours over low warmth till cooked.

Dien Bien locals favor utilizing wild banana blossoms with lengthy stems for higher style, sweetness, and a milder taste. Regardless of its easy look, the dish releases a candy aroma when the banana leaf layer is opened.

Floor pork steamed in banana leaves

Because the identify suggests, this dish is comprised of floor pork marinated with spices and wrapped in banana leaves. It is then steamed for about an hour till absolutely cooked. The important thing to its deliciousness lies in utilizing contemporary meat. Though uncomplicated, the dish leaves an enduring impression with the mixed aromas of meat and banana leaves. The result’s tender, fatty meat that sticks collectively.

River moss

River moss naturally grows on rocks submerged within the river seasonally from the ninth to the tenth month till the top of the subsequent fifth month of the lunar calendar. It’s not cultivated however grows naturally.

Throughout moss season, Thai individuals accumulate younger moss for dishes like steamed moss, moss soup, or moss salad. Probably the most savory rendition entails wrapping the moss in banana leaves or dong (phrynium placentarium) leaves and grilling it over charcoal. River moss additionally pairs effectively with grilled fish, pork, and rooster.

Cham cheo seasoning

Cham cheo is a standard spice of the Thai individuals in Dien Bien area and the northwest area generally. The principle ingredient is mac khen fruit, accompanied by anchovies, salt, hat doi – magnolia seeds, garlic, water mint, chili powder, lemongrass, amongst others.

After cleansing, mac khen is roasted till crispy, then crushed and blended with dried chili, lemongrass, salt, and herbs to create a mix of flavors. Cham cheo provides a burst of taste when paired with sticky rice, boiled or grilled dishes.

HOW TO GET THERE

Following a interval of closure for renovations, Dien Bien Airport reopened its doorways to passengers on Dec. 2, 2023. Vietnam Airways gives direct flights from Hanoi each day of the week, with round-trip ticket costs starting from VND1.6 million to VND2.8 million ($65 to $115).

Vacationers from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis may fly with Vietnam Airways, with a layover in Hanoi. Vietjet gives direct flights from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, working 3 times every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with a round-trip ticket worth of roughly VND2 million ($82).

The highway from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu Metropolis spans 450 kilometers. Vacationers can select between two routes: CT08, CT02, QL6 by Hoa Binh Province or DT87, QL32, QL37 by the provinces of Hoa Binh and Son La. The journey time is roughly 10 hours.

Passenger buses serving the Hanoi – Dien Bien route are operated by a number of corporations, together with Nam Lien, Nam Oanh, Hai Van, Khanh Le, Cuong Tam, and Chien Ha. Ticket costs vary from VND300,000 to VND350,000 ($12 to $14), and buses depart from My Dinh Station.

To achieve Dien Bien Phu Metropolis, vacationers should traverse the long-lasting Pha Din Cross, one in every of Vietnam’s 4 nice passes, located on the border between Son La and Dien Bien provinces. The cross spans 32 km.

It is advisable to not journey to Dien Bien throughout the wet season because of the heightened danger of landslides. Since taxis are comparatively costly, think about using bikes or motorcycle taxis as options.

WHERE TO STAY