Dien Bien Phu Vietnam is a province situated in the northwest of Vietnam. It is renowned for its majestic mountains and rich cultural diversity, along with numerous ethnic minorities residing there. Witness this diverse culture with our Vietnam tour packages.
Dien Bien attracts visitors with its remarkable natural landscapes, including waterfalls and lakes, as well as its unique ethnic villages, offering visitors an immersion into the distinctive cultural life of these communities. You can check some travel tips to Vietnam while planning your next journey.
By visiting Dien Bien, you will appreciate the natural beauty of the region and also discover cultural diversity, which gives them a unique and unforgettable experience. So, the language in Dien Bien Phu is Vietnamese.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu History
In addition to its beauty, this region is closely linked to major historical events, especially with the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, a final turning point in the Indochina War. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought from March 13 to May 7, 1954. After fighting for 8 long years, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu’s history has left its scars all over the country. This battle is still inspiring for many as the French underestimated the Viet Minh, but they won with their cleverness and strategy.
Best Time to Visit Dien Bien Phu
The place has a cool climate throughout the year, which makes it more convenient for you to explore. So, the best time to visit Dien Bien Phu is during the dry season, which is between December and March, but beware that night temperatures in winter can drop to 12°C. Moreover, you can go through the best time to visit Vietnam while planning your travel. However, it is not recommended to go to Dien Bien between June and August, because the period coincides with the rainy season, which spoils, even stinks, any visit or hike.
How To Reach Dien Bien Phu
There are various ways, if you are wondering how to reach Dien Bien Phu. By local buses or a Cab, let’s discuss them briefly:
By Air: Dien Bien Phu is well connected by flights. Dien Bien Phu Airport (DIN) is about 4 kilometers from the city center. From the airport you can easily get a cab or taxi.
By Bus: There is a well-interconnected network inside the city via buses through which you can conveniently travel to reach anywhere in Dien Bien Phu. However, if you are travelling from another city, then also many bus companies offer daily services from another city to reach Dien Bien Phu bus station. From Hanoi, it takes the overnight journey, around 10-12 hours to reach the city.
By Road: You can hire a taxi or cab if you wish to enjoy a road trip from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu. Covering approximately 500 kilometers and takes about 10 hours, traversing mountainous terrain and the scenic Pha Din Pass.
By Minivan: If you are travelling with a large group, then this might be the best option for you. These are like mini buses which will take around 5 hours, covering around 132 km.
Places To Visit In Dien Bien Phu
Pa Chai is a must-visit destination for trekking and mountain climbing enthusiasts. It is located within the territory of Sin Thau commune, Muong Nhe district, Dien Bien, it is also a place situated at the border between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Trekking is one of the things to do in Dien Bien Phu.
It’s recommended to come here in mid-January or February to experience the best moments. Or come between September and December when the place is immersed in the vivid yellow of ripe rice fields. There are many things to do in Vietnam, do check that as well.
In addition to this, the experience of climbing, conquering the landmark number 0 is probably what attracts most tourists here. It’s also the place where you can admire the most beautiful sunset in Dien Bien.
The lake is located on the border between the two communes of Muong Pang and Ba Khoang, 8 km west of the Dien Bien Phu battle site, and is the largest lake in Dien Bien. Relaxing at the lakeside and enjoying it throughout the day is one of the things to do in Dien Bien Phu. Around the lake, you will explore more than 300 animal species and 700 plant species, which have been recorded. It is one of the best places to visit in Dien Bien Phu.
It is nicknamed one of the Four Great Peaks of the West, it’s truly an experience everyone wants to have. You will enjoy the thrilling sensation of conquering winding turns and curves. According to legend, this place was once considered the separation between Dien Bien and Son La.
- Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum
This place has a very impressive design with a symbol shaped like a truncated helmet. It is decorated with an image of a helmet, symbolising the mask of Ho Chi Minh’s old conical hat. You will discover and learn more about the culture when you visit here. It’s a tourist attraction in Dien Bien that you cannot miss.
The historical site of A1 Hill is one of the must-visit places when visiting Dien Bien, Vietnam. The important part of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 took place here. A1 Hill symbolises the spirit of resilience and sacrifice of Vietnamese soldiers and people during the war, and to this day, it is considered an important historical symbol of the country.
Visiting this place not only allows visitors to better understand the history of Vietnam but also to pay respect to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation.
The Ban Phu Citadel is a tourist attraction in Dien Bien. It was built over 200 years ago, and the scene of many significant events for the heroism of Hoang Cong Chat. He was a symbol of the great unity spirit of the people in the struggle against foreign invasion. Around the walls, the residents piled up earth and planted thorny bamboo for protection. Thanks to this, the fortress walls have been protected until now.
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Different variety of cuisines
- Xoi Dien Bien (Dien Bien sticky rice)
Dien Bien rice is famous not only for Vietnamese but also for foreigners because of its fragrance and fluffy texture. It is highly recommended that you shouldn’t miss this dish made from rice, especially xoi nep (sticky rice). Dien Bien Sticky Rice is renowned for its delightful fragrance and extremely fluffy rice grains.
Place- Dan Toc Restaurant – Thanh Truong, Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien.
This is one of the special dishes of Dien Bien that surprises many tourists with its name. It’s also a traditional dish of the Thai people in the Northwest region. This grilled fish is carefully prepared from various freshwater fishes such as carp, tench, and catfish, etc. Once grilled, the fish has a distinctive flavour and is very different from other grilled fish.
Place-Huong Dong Noi Restaurant – 68B, Quarter 6, Thanh Truong Ward, Dien Bien Phu City, Dien Bien.
Grilled Mac Khen Chicken is a famous dish of the Thai people in Dien Bien. The chicken is perfectly grilled over a warm wood fire, and then it is grilled slowly. This ensures that the chicken meat remains juicy. Once the chicken is well-cooked, the spicy Mac Khen sauce is then applied on top.
Place- Cong Hoan Restaurant – 563 Street 7 – 5, Tan Thanh, Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien
- Steamed Pork in Banana Leaves
This special dish is prepared from finely minced pork meat marinated with various seasonings, then tightly wrapped in banana leaves. It is then steamed for 1 hour. Additionally, there are many best restaurants in Vietnam you may explore while travelling in this vibrant country.
Place- Song Hy Dien Bien Restaurant – 236 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Muong Thanh, Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien.
What are the famous festivals?
To celebrate the beauty of the bauhinia flower, declaring its value. The festival in Vietnam serves as an opportunity to promote the traditional cultural beauties and values of the 19 brotherly ethnic communities of Dien Bien province. Also,
A rich traditional festival in local colour in Dien Bien is the Ban Phu Citadel Festival. It is celebrated on the 24th and 25th of the 2nd lunar month every year.
The festival consists of two parts:
- The ceremony and the festival- The ceremony includes executive rites, incense offerings, and prayers to the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. The festival provides an opportunity to engage in entertainment and cultural activities such as peach picking, fishing, pig chasing for reward, duck-shaped boat racing, and many more.
- Additionally, in the festival part, ethnic minorities in Dien Bien showcase their distinctive performances such as dance, theatre, and circle dance.
Places Near Dien Bien Phu
1. Bitexco Financial Tower
One of the tallest buildings in Vietnam, Bitexco Financial Tower is a commercial property. This skyscraper has a height of 264 m to tip, which has a total of 68 floors in it, from where you can get the panoramic views of the city.
Address: 2 Đ. Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh, VietNam
Opening hours: Opens at 09:30-21:30(Admission ends at 20:45)
Distance: 2.09km
2. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
As the name says, Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre offers a unique experience as you can watch puppets performing in the water on live music.
Address: 55B D. Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phuong Ben Thanh, Quan 1, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: Opens at 18:00-19:15
Distance: 1.47km
3. Landmark 81
The Landmark 81 is one of the most famous skyscrapers, which has 81 floors in it. With a height of 470 m, it offers the aerial views of the city from its observation deck.
Address: 720A Dien Bien Phu Tang 79, 80, 81, Phuong 22, Quan Binh Thạnh, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh 700000 Vietnam
Opening hours: Opens at 08:30-23:00
Distance: 2.83km
Suggested Read: Best Honeymoon destinations in Vietnam
In summary, Dien Bien is not only a fantastic tourist destination but also a place to deeply discover and experience the culture, history, and people of Vietnam. Dien Bien will surely leave your Vietnam tour with unforgettable impressions and beautiful memories for a lifetime. Tourists will surely
Besides, Vietnam being one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, through its historical places, vibrant culture, and amazing hospitality, Dien Bien Phu gives visitors a chance to dive deep into the heart of Vietnam's past and present.
There are many places in Vietnam that visitors can explore and several adventure activities for thrill seekers. So, hurry up and pack your bags today to explore this amazing place more.
