The Best Travel Guide of Dien Bien 2023

Dien Bien Phu is now a well-liked historical tourism destination in Vietnam. Many of the fortified French outposts, the bunkered French headquarters, and the Viet Minh headquarters complex are still standing, and the area includes a contemporary museum. The same runway, which is now concrete-paved, is used for Hanoi's regular commercial flights to land. So what was Dien Bien Phu, let's find out everything in The Best Travel Guide of Dien Bien 2023.

1. What need to know before traveling to Dien Bien

Nearly 500 kilometres to the northwest of Hanoi is Dien Bien Phu city. The districts that the east borders are Muong Ang, the southeast borders Dien Bien Dong, the west and south borders Dien Bien, and the north borders Muong Cha.

a. History

Emperor Thieu Tri gave Dien Bien its name in 1841 after Ninh Bien Chau; the Vietnamese words for the city are "Dien" for strong and "Bien" for border or frontier territory. Dien Bien, an old Nguyen dynasty administrative subdivision, comprising three areas during the Thieu Tri period: Ninh Bien, Tuan Giao, and Lai Chau. Dien Bien was the nation's powerful frontier region. This place was strongly linked with the historical events known as the Dien Bien Phu War in Vietnam. So, what happened in Dien Bien Phu? 

The Viet Minh started fighting the French in 1946 in what is now known as the First Indochina War, initially employing guerrilla tactics before switching to more traditional strategies when it gained supplies and help from the Soviet Union and China.

Two further garrisons were attacked by Viet Minh forces on March 30, 1954. The French fought valiantly but ultimately lost the battle after nearly a week of bloody, desperate attacks and counterattacks. The French army was in terrible and deteriorating conditions as a result of Giap's men taking control of 90% of the airfield by April 22. This forced the suspension of air deliveries.

If you are interested in the Dien Bien Phu Vietnam war, you could search on the internet “Dien Bien Phu Vietnam war in detail" to read the full story and process of the historical events.

b. How to get to Dien Bien from Hanoi

Near the town's centre, on the road to Muong Lay, is where you'll find the Dien Bien Phu Airport. To reach there, turn right at the bus station; the terminal is a kilometre down the road on the left.

The Dien Bien Phu bus terminal is across the bridge on the right after turning off 7-5 Road at the memorial roundabout. There are numerous departures throughout the day, and there has been a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of services to Hanoi, including the introduction of sleek overnight sleeper buses. From Hanoi you can buy a bus ticket to Dien Bien at My Dinh bus station (12-13 hours).

Motorcycle: Based on the map, you can go by motorbike, but you need to have a hard handle to ride a motorbike. Because the road is roundabout and there are often large trucks transporting goods on the road, it is very dangerous.

Plane: Every day from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu, there are 2 flights/day by ATR-72 aircraft belonging to Vietnam Airlines, flight time is about 1 hour, saving much more time than going by car.

2. Best time to visit Dien Bien, Vietnam

Visitors can travel to Dien Bien in March, September, October, November, and December to enjoy and photograph the most magnificent flower seasons. This is the time of forest flowers, peach blossoms, wildflowers bloom.

A few suggestions for tourists who want to come to Dien Bien in the flower seasons:

- March: is the time when the ban flower blooms, thousands of wild ban flower trees bloom pure white to help the earth and sky become more poetic and peaceful. March is also the time when the cherry blossoms in Muong Phang garden bloom most beautifully, visitors can freely admire and take pictures.

- September: This is the time when the terraced fields and Muong Thanh basin pour a shiny golden color. Visitors can come to Dien Bien at this time to see the ripe rice season.

- October, November, December: the season of wild sunflowers blooms beautifully. Visitors can also go to Moc Chau to see the romantic rape flower fields.

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3. Best places to visit when travelling to Dien Bien

3.1 Victory Monument Of Dien Bien Phu

Location

Found on the D1 slope found within the center of Dien Bien Phu city - Dien Bien territory, Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument is found within the center of the antique location, around 50m tall over the Muong Thanh field.

Key features

The Dien Bien Phu Triumph Landmark cluster is the tallest, biggest and heaviest gather of bronze statues in Vietnam ever. The statue with a stature of 12.6m is cast with 217 tons of bronze, raised on a 3.6m tall platform, and comprises of 12 cutting sheets, counting those weighing 40 tons.

This is a cultural and artistic work imbued with historical values, profound humanity and spirituality, honoring the great significance of a "splendid victory in five continents, shaking the earth", which is pride of people of all ethnic groups in Dien Bien province. The Dien Bien Phu victory monuments are the tallest, biggest, and heaviest set of bronze sculptures ever erected in Vietnam. The statue consists of 3 soldiers standing with their backs to each other, holding a Thai child, on top is a flag of determination to win.

Dien Bien today is open to international tourists, French and American veterans in the spirit of cooperation for mutual development, eliminating hatred towards the future

3.2 Uva hot spring

Location

Located about 15km from Dien Bien city, U Va hot spring owns a total area of up to 73,000 m2. Legend has it that this hot spring could be a cradle on which the pixie lies. You'll be flabbergasted at the charming view here.

Key features

The UVa region visitor with hot mineral springs was found and utilized by the French colonialists within the 1950s and was subsequently built by Dien Bien territory in collaboration with the province's Lottery Company to ended up a resort goal for inhabitants and guests. visitors when coming to Dien Bien. Coming to Uva hot mineral springs, you may be drenched within the nature here, breathe the freshest discuss and feel the foremost clearly the here when the landscape here nature is and green.

Uva hot spring is additionally considered a put to associate paradise and soil, with the concept of living a reasonable life when passing absent to the arrive of euphoria, the individuals here continuously live a calm and tranquil life. In expansion, this moreover implies the near association between the human world and the ethereal world. It is no misrepresentation to say that Uva hot spring is one of the goals not to be missed when coming to Dien Bien, in expansion to the popular and commonplace goals such as Him Lam Slope, A1 Slope, Muong Phang antique location,. . draws in many sightseers coming here amid the year, counting both household and outside visitors.

3.3 Pa Thom Cave

Location

Pa Thom cave (also known as Tham Nang Lai, Tien Hoa cave) is located in the west of Dien Bien district (Dien Bien province) in the area of 2 communes Na U and Pa Thom, more than 30km from Dien Bien Phu city. Pa Thom cave was designated a national scenic area by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 2009.

Key features

Pa Thom cave is found within the center of the mountain, the entrance is dome-shaped, 12m tall, 17m wide, the stone roof is just 7m. In the middle of the entrance is a giant stone block that looks like a drooping elephant's head. The profundity of the cave is more than 350m running within the south heading.

The entrance to the cave is adjoining the cave entrance are three huge pieces of stone on a level plane winding like a monster python, isolating the cave and shaping two passages and exits. There are many stalactites with beautiful forms, iridescent stalactites, exotic hues, and glistening under candlelight right from the cave's entrance. The curves of the cave are all tall, each curve is like a radiant and awe-inspiring royal residence, stalactites rise, and stalagmites of all sorts are delicate from the ceiling hanging down with iridescent fringes. On the side of the cliffs, the rocks are like large flowing waterfalls, iridescent silver. Inside the cave, visitors seem to be lost in a fairy world, where there are magnificent palaces sparkling, there is the sound of water dripping from the dome and from the stalactites… In addition, the cave is also attached to the cave. the legend of a couple's love, making the landscape more poetic and becoming an attractive tourist destination of Dien Bien province.

3.4 De Castries Bunker

Location

Located in the center of Dien Bien Phu fortress group, in Muong Thanh field, Dien Bien district, about 1.5km from A1 hill to the northwest. General Do Cat's command bunker stands out with hedges, carefully reinforced to resist the ravages of time, a dense barbed wire system and four tanks.

Key features

Standing on a tall slope, you'll see the roof of the Do Cat burrow, over the mouth of the burrow raised a cement picture almost 6 square meters wide, another depicting the image of General De Cat holding a cane with his entourage. Vietnamese military goods. Iron dome and sandbags on the roof of the tunnel, this is a covered trench connecting General De Cat's bunker with the blockhouse on hill A1, which the French had built at that time.

Common Do Cat's command burrow is 20 m long, and 8 m wide, with a vertical way, and 2 entryways at both close. Interior the burrow is isolated into 4 compartments, utilized as a work environment. Inside the current cellar when going to, you'll still see the press table of this common and his escort still intaglio.

About 60 long times after the Dien Bien Phu triumph, this antique has been positioned in 23 extraordinary national verifiable relics. Experiencing many ups and downs of history, but Vietnamese still can't forget the moment when the flag fluttered on the roof of the tunnel, chasing the French colonialists.

3.5 Ta Leng Terraced Fields

Location

Coming to Dien Bien, in addition to visiting the historical Dien Bien Phu battlefield relic site, visitors can also freely admire the soft beauty of the terraced fields in Ta Leng village, Thanh Minh commune, Dien Bien city.

Key features

Ta Leng is known for having beautiful terraced fields that fascinate people, especially when coming to Ta Leng in September days, standing at a high position overlooking Ta Leng rice fields like a fanciful valley.

The most attractive thing is not having to go far or climb the long steep slopes, but right in the middle of Dien Bien basin, visitors can admire the Ta Leng terraced fields like soft golden silk to the foot of the cloud.

The houses of the H'Mong ethnic bunch linger on the side of the terraced areas like a sentimental picture of the harvest time evening. Ta Leng terraced areas are one of the places where youthful individuals appreciate checking in. There are numerous lovely photography points here, particularly at nightfall.

4. What to eat and drink in Dien Bien

4.1 Grilled Chicken with Mac Khen

Macken is a natural spice from the mountains and forests bestowed to the highlanders. This position is commonly used to prepare dishes. One of those delicious dishes is Khen grilled chicken.

The way to get ready for this tasty dish is additionally exceptionally extraordinary. Cooked chicken on the wharf keeps the heat with the fire not too loud. While roasting, the chicken fat will melt and the skin will grow a golden color, the meat will turn back when toned, adding extra spice to the outside of the chicken skin. When enjoying, you will feel the delicious, and sweet taste of chicken meat and a very strong aromatic smell.

4.2 Grilled Fish

Coming to Dien Bien, if you can visit the house of Thai ethnic people and enjoy grilled fish, you will hardly forget this unique taste. Grilled fish (pa pinh top, meaning grilled fish) is often available. sophisticated way of making right from the selection of raw materials. This grilled fish dish uses raw carp or driftwood, carp and some other stream fish. The fresh fish, through the hands of Thai women, becomes a delicious grilled fish dish.

Grilled Fish needs many spices mixed together to make it rich, including: herbs, green onions, dill, basil, chopped, lemongrass, onion, ginger, garlic, crushed fresh chili, then mix the salt and pepper paste just enough. But there is one indispensable thing, which is "mak khan". This is a type of forest pepper, with a very characteristic aroma, pungent, and spicy flavor found only in the Northwest mountainous region, used as a spice for most dishes of the highland people. Grilled Fish has become a very attractive and unforgettable dish for tourists near and far every occasion to the Northwest mountains.

4.3 Hoa Ban Salad

Not as it brought the flawless excellence of the Northwest mountains, Boycott Blossom is additionally prepared numerous tasty dishes by Thai young ladies since old times. Up to now, restaurants and homestays in Dien Bien still maintain that cultural capital with a little variation to include in the restaurant menu, satisfying foodies.

Hoa ban salad is a new dish, processed by some restaurants to meet the needs of diners. Hoa ban will be mixed with raw vegetables, strawberries and seasoned with spices to taste. This is a suitable dish to have fun, appetizer and fight the heat for March-April, when the hot and sunny Lao winds start to come, a cool and beautiful flower salad will be served. Friend.

4.4 Buffalo Meat in the Kitchen

Kitchen buffalo meat is a famous specialty of Dien Bien, also known as dried buffalo meat, this dish has bold culinary beauty of the people of the Northwest in general and Dien Bien in particular.

This buffalo castration is extremely carefully selected, with all the tendons and music filtered, then sliced and seasoned for 2-3 hours. Finally bring it up to hang in the kitchen to cook until the meat is cooked. When grilled buffalo meat is finished, it will have a delicious taste, chewy, sweet, and soft when eaten. It's great to use this meat dish with beer as well. Visitors can choose to buy buffalo meat from the kitchen as a gift for relatives and friends.

4.5 Banh Khau Xen

Banh Khau Xen is made from glutinous rice and fresh cassava roots, after being cooked, it will be pounded, ground into a powder, and added with eggs, sugar or salt to spice up the cake. Then use a roller to spread the cake into thin pieces to dry in the shade until the cake will be cut into small pieces according to arbitrary shapes. There are 4 main colors for rice cakes: white from rice, red from gac, characteristic yellow of cassava cake, purple color of sticky rice.

From the traditional dish in the New Year days of the white Thai people of Muong Lay, Banh Khau Xen has become a dish bearing the unique and attractive culinary culture of Dien Bien province. Talking about the specialties of Dien Bien, many people immediately think of this strange and delicious cake.

5. Best hotels to stay in Dien Bien

5.1 Him Lam Resort

Located on the banks of Huoi Pha Lake, 4km west of Dien Bien Phu city center, Himlam eco-tourism area is the first and only resort of Dien Bien province. In a region of ​​nearly 30 hectares (counting ground and water surface), this put may be a resort complex full of utility administrations such as Feasting, Excursion, Amusement, Occasions, conferences, workshops, rub, sauna, recreational angling, etc. with the proficient and affable benefit fashion of the Northwest individuals and the charming scene between the mountains and the sky, making a space which is exceptionally sentimental and idyllic.

With a add up to the zone of 500m2, the house on stilts comprises of 2 floors found in a partitioned campus of about 2000m2. The biggest ironwood stilt house in Vietnam has ended up a one-of-a-kind highlight and curiously touring goal for households and outside visitors.

5.2 Muong Then Homestay

Homestay Muong Then was designed and built by experts with the goal of highlighting the values of architecture, history, culture, and traditional ethnic cuisine. Surrounding the Homestay is a peaceful village space. Meanwhile, the main campus is harmonized with green grass, flower gardens, ponds, trees and one more natural highlight is the winding stream right next to the Homestay.

The resort is built in the middle of a large space, with the highlight being typical stilt houses and bungalows specializing in serving tourists who want to have their own living space. Since being introduced to Vietnam, Bungalows have brought new experiences to visitors when staying at tourist destinations.

Cycling on clean small roads, while cycling, admire the peaceful village and feel the fresh air of rice fields and trees. Those are genuine experiences that help visitors really immerse themselves in the life and nature here. Depending on the time, visitors can also participate in activities with the people in the village such as: Rice planting and harvesting harvesting rice, growing vegetables, cooking…etc. Those are also the highlights that leave a deep impression in the sightseeing and discovery journey of each visitor.

5.3 Muong Thanh Dien Bien Phu Hotel

Located in the center of Dien Bien Phu city, nearly 2km from Dien Bien Phu battlefield relics, Muong Thanh Grand Dien Bien Phu is a 4-star hotel with professional service style and openness. open, hospitable people of the Northwest.

Built on an area of ​​nearly 12,000 m2, space close to nature, large parking lot, swimming pool and beautiful natural surroundings have made the difference of Muong Thanh. Muong Thanh Grand Dien Bien Phu Hotel is a harmonious combination between modern style and unique ethnic cultural features of the Northwest.

5.4 An Loc hotel

This is a very popular destination for travel enthusiasts. Visitors can come to Dien Bien cheaply but still ensure quality, providing a cost-effective trip. Coming to the beautiful land of Dien Bien, An Loc hotel is also one of the favorite choices of backpackers.

With a big plus point of favorable geographical location when only 500m from Dien Bien bus station, An Loc hotel offers visitors a convenient and satisfying place to stay. In particular, coming to the hotel, visitors also feel the warm and sincere welcome of the hotel owner here. And like many other hotels and motels in Dien Bien, An Loc hotel uses the most modern, clean and beautiful interiors. Although not an expensive luxury hotel, An Loc offers a relaxing space that is both cool, clean and fully equipped. Although the price is cheap, visitors will certainly be satisfied with the quality and service as well as the service attitude here.

Conclusion

The Best Travel Guide of Dien Bien 2023 is a summary of the most detailed information about the famous Dien Bien tourism that you must know if you ever come to this land of heroic history and cultural quintessence. In addition to the historical yellow pages, this place also impresses visitors by the magnificence of the mountains and forests, the craziness of the legendary Pha Din pass, or the Muong Thanh field with beautiful colors every summer. Through this article, Vietnam Original Travel believes that you are very excited to start your Dien Bien travel journey, explore the land of the westernmost magnanimous land.

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