Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:55 Vietnam (GMT+7)
Photos in Dien Bien Phu
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Dien Bien Phu Overview

Dien Bien Phu is famous as a battlefield that was truly decisive. The French colonial forces were roundly defeated at the hands of the Viet Minh on 7 May 1954 and the days of their Indochina Empire were finally numbered.

Like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Dien Bien Phu now enjoys the prestigious status of provincial city, although it is not quite in the same league. Set in one of the most remote parts of Vietnam, the town is 34km from the Laos border in the flat, heart-shaped Muong Thanh Valley, surrounded by steep, heavily forested hills. The size and look of the city is surprising considering the remote location, especially if you managed to survive getting here overland.

History is the main attraction in Dien Bien Phu and the scenery is more stunning on the journey to or from Dien Bien Phu than around the town itself. Not surprisingly, the majority of travelers who come here now are French – Dien Bien Phu seems to hold the same sort of fascination for them as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) does for Americans.

For a long time Dien Bien Phu is also a point of cultural and economic exchange between people in the border area of Vietnam, Laos and China, it was also an area of power dispute between land lords.

The area is inhabited by Montagnards, most notably the Thai and H’mong. The government has been encouraging ethnic Vietnamese to settle in the region. So visiting Dien Bien Phu, travelers not only visit the historical battlefield, but also have something in mind about the life of local people here.

Featured Trips in Dien Bien Phu   View all trips to Dien Bien Phu
  • Northwest to Dien Bien Phu

    Tour style : Adventure tour
    Destination : Dien Bien Phu
    Duration : 5 days - 4 nights
    Tour code : TAD079
    2 reviews| Add to Wishlist

    From USD $

    This cycling tour will take you to several tourist attractions of Lao Cai and Dien Bien provinces. You will start from Sapa and move on to Dien Bien before taking a flight back to Hanoi. The trip last for 5 days, each of the day will give you unforgettable moment and exciting experience. In Sapa, you will cycle to major tourist attractions such as the Heaven Gate, Silver Waterfall and have chance to meet friendly local ethnic minorities. You also take opportunity to visit Tam Duong market upon cycling to Lai Chau, where you can see how colorful its people are. Along the way, you will pass by picturesque villages and rice paddy fields of breathtaking beauty. Take along your camera to save your best moments since you will stop at many beautiful spots to enjoy the scenery. You will also be able to walk around the small town of Muong Lay. On the last day you will arrive at the historically famous town of Dien Bien Phu. At the end of the trip, you have to leave Vietnam’s northeast behind and transfer back to Hanoi, but it’s sure that you could hardly forget the time you have spent there.

  • Northwest on Bike to Dien Bien Phu

    Tour style : Adventure tour
    Destination : Dien Bien Phu
    Duration : 4 days - 3 nights
    Tour code : TAD078
    2 reviews| Add to Wishlist

    From USD $

    This mountain bike trip will take you to some of the most scenic areas in Northern Vietnam. You will travel through stunning mountainous landscape to the highest stretch of road in Vietnam called Heaven Gate. Your cycle will then continue downhill to Tam Duong and pass through Binh Lu. Along the way, you will pass by picturesque villages and fantastic rice paddy fields. Take along your camera to save your memorable moments and wonderful scenery; you are sure to need more than one photo stop on this journey. You will also be able to walk around the small town of Lai Chau. On the last day you will arrive at the historically famous town of Dien Bien Phu.

  • Northwest trip - 4 days 3 nights

    Tour style : Motor biking & 4WD Tour
    Destination : Dien Bien Phu
    Duration : 4 days - 3 nights
    Tour code : TAD061
    2 reviews| Add to Wishlist

    From USD $

    The northwest inhabited by a number of different ethnic minority groups and dominated by mountains, rice paddy fields, poetic rivers, ethnic minority villages and so on has made the area very worthy to be visited. With this trip, you will have opportunities to explore the rich culture, spectacular nature beauty as well as to know more about the historical victory in Dien Bien Phu in 1954 that ceased the French colonial domination in Indochina.

  • Northwest trip - 3 days 2 nights

    Tour style : Motor biking & 4WD Tour
    Destination : Dien Bien Phu
    Duration : 3 days - 2 nights
    Tour code : TAD060
    2 reviews| Add to Wishlist

    From USD $

    The northwest inhabited by a number of different ethnic minority groups and dominated by mountains, rice paddy fields, poetic rivers, ethnic minority villages and so on has made the area very worthy to be visited. With the daily flight to/from Hanoi - Dien Bien, it is no matter of time anymore if you would like to discover this remote area.

  • View all trips to Dien Bien Phu
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