Dien Bien Phu Travel Guide

Dien Bien is a northwestern mountainous province, located about 500km from Hanoi to the west. The natural area of the province is 9554.097 square kilometers with 438.135 people. Dien Bien terrain is complex composed of mountains stretching along the Vietnam - Lao border with 100km long. Interspersed with high mountains are valleys, small, steep rivers and streams allocated across the province. In particular, Muong Thanh valley with flat surface formed a vast paddy field.

Dien Bien has the tropical monsoon climate with cold and dry winters and hot and wet summers. The annual average temperature ranges from 21 to 23°C; the average rainfall is from 1700-2500mm; the average humidity is 83 - 85%. Due to the extensive natural area, dissected terrain, Dien Bien climate is divided into 3 distinct subregions including subregional climates of Muong Nhe, Muong Lay and plateau climate Son La and Ma River upstream.

Dien Bien is the ancient land. The province has various ancient monuments including Tham Khuong cave and Than Bua cave in Tuan Giao. In the 9th - 10th centuries, Lu people in Muong Thanh were the most developed in the area and controlled Sin Ho, Muong Lay, Tuan Giao. Under the French occupation of Vietnam, Hung Hoa was divided into provinces of Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and some districts were merged into Phu Tho

Dien Bien is a province rich in tourism potential, especially historical cultural aspect. The most highlight is the historical relics in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. Historical relics of Dien Bien Phu victory is the invaluable tourism resource, the gold mine of Dien Bien tourism. Historical sites of Dien Bien Phu consist of  headquarters of Dien Bien Phu - Muong Phang, Him Lam hill, Ban Keo hill, Doc Lap hill and hills of A1, C1, D1, E1 and command bunker of General De Castries. All are gathered into a continuous relic cluster evoking a vivid picture of the glorious historical campaign of the nation.