Visit Dien Bien Phu City: A Complete Travel Guide

The sacred land of the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, Dien Bien province, is a prime northern destination for a trip that combines historical, cultural, and natural exploration. This beautiful mountainous region in the far west is home to nearly twenty ethnic groups, including Thai, Hmong, Khmu, Si La...

If you are planning to visit Dien Bien Phu to discover the battle's memories and explore its surroundings, this Dien Bien Phu travel guide is for you!

Location

Dien Bien province, situated in Northwest Vietnam, lies nearly 500 kilometers from Hanoi. It shares borders with three countries, adjacent to Lai Chau province to the north, Son La province to the northeast, China's Yunnan province to the northwest, and Laos to the southwest.

The capital city of Dien Bien province is Dien Bien Phu City, a vast valley in the west of the mountains. 

When to visit Dien Bien Phu?

Dien Bien enjoys a tropical climate marked by monsoons in the mountains. Average temperatures range from 21°C to 23°C.

The summer months from June to August are characterized by high rainfall, with July having the heaviest rainfall of the year. The high precipitation results in slippery roads and hinders many outdoor activities. Therefore, this is not a good time to go to Dien Bien Phu, and it is not a good idea to trek the high mountains to the summit of A Pa Chai during this period.

The months of March, April, May, September, and October are good times to visit Dien Bien Phu. If your visit to Dien Bien falls in May, this will be an opportunity to share with the residents of Dien Bien the great joy of the anniversary of the historic victory on May 7, 1954.

This beautiful region is a real magnet for photographers, who flock here in droves to take beautiful shots of the bauhinia flowers, its symbol, in March, and the resplendent rice fields during the harvest month in September.

How to get to Dien Bien Phu

Go to Dien Bien Phu from Hanoi by road

There are two ways to reach Dien Bien from Hanoi: by road and by air. If you are taking the road to get to Dien Bien from Hanoi, you can choose between a bus, a shuttle bus, a private car, or a motorcycle. Considering the 500-kilometer distance, you should allow around ten hours on the road for this trip.

Sleeper buses and shuttle buses connecting Hanoi- Dien Bien depart daily from three bus stations in Hanoi: My Dinh, Yen Nghia, and Giap Bat. Ticket prices range from 300,000 VND to 500,000 VND, depending on operators and comfort level. Taking into account 11 to 13 hours of travel time, we recommend taking the sleeper bus. Some sleeper bus companies operating the Hanoi- Dien Bien route for your reference are: Quang Tuan, Duc Quyen, Xuan Long, Chinh Le, and Truong Giang.

For adventurous travelers or those who prefer to explore at their own pace, enjoying the scenery along the way from Hanoi to Dien Bien, private cars and motorbikes are excellent options. However, given the long distance, using a private car can be quite expensive, while traveling by motorbike requires good health and experience.

Go to Dien Bien Phu from Hanoi by Plane

With about one hour of traveling time, the plane is the quickest way to reach Dien Bien from Hanoi. Vietnam Airlines is the only airline operating this route, with one departure per day from Noi Bai International Airport to Dien Bien Airport. From the Dien Bien Airport, take a taxi to get to Dien Bien Phu City, which is 4 kilometers away.

A one-way flight from Hanoi to Dien Bien costs between 1,000,000 and 1,700,000 VND.

Go to Dien Bien Phu from Saigon

If you plan to reach Dien Bien by plane from cities and regions in the south, you must first reach Hanoi before taking another flight to Dien Bien, as there are no direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Dien Bien.

How to get around in Dien Bien Phu

The most common way to get around the city is by taxi. Motorcycle rental is possible, but there is not always enough choice available. The price varies between 80,000 and 200,000 VND per day, depending on the vehicle.

Motorcycle rental addresses in Dien Bien:

+ At Tuan, 114 group 4, Thanh Binh district, Dien Bien Phu city
Tel: 0215 3866866

+ At Hai Trang, second entrance of the School of Pedagogy of Dien Bien, Dien Bien Phu city
Tel: 01 658 898 898 - 0941 306 999

+ At Duc, Him Lam district, Dien Bien Phu city
Tel: 0968 734 734 - 0869 190 190

+ At Vuong Khanh, Dien Bien Phu city 
Phone: 0904 875 050

For those planning to reach distant corners like A Pa Chai, the extreme point in the West of the country, bringing your motorcycle from Hanoi is a good choice for its flexibility.

What to visit in Dien Bien Phu

The A1 Hill

The places testifying to the highlights of the battle stage of 1954 are certainly the best reason to bring you to Dien Bien. However, you can combine this pilgrimage very well with other cultural visits and a green getaway in the surroundings of Dien Bien Phu. The hilly region is known for beautiful caves, thermal springs of great therapeutic value, and beautiful lakes that surround peaceful villages.

Muong Nhe Nature Reserve 

Without forgetting its primitive forest, the Muong Nhe nature reserve is appreciated for its important biodiversity in the foreground of the country. Many activities combining history and culture, relaxation, and adventure make your trip to Dien Bien Phu a getaway as rich as it is memorable.

>> Read more: Dien Bien Phu and top 10 things to see and do in Dien Bien 

Dien Bien Culinary Specialities

Fresh fish caught from the Black and Nam Ron rivers, expertly prepared by the Thai women of Dien Bien, will offer guests a delightful culinary experience. There’s nothing quite like bamboo shoots, organic vegetables, and especially fragrant grilled meats to complement your dinner in a stilted riverside house.

Where to stay in Dien Bien Phu

Hotels and hostels in Dien Bien Phu have fewer options compared to larger cities. However, to cater to the increasing number of visitors interested in the historical significance of the famous battle and the area's natural beauty, the available accommodations have improved in recent years.

Some well-located hotels in Dien Bien Phu City: 

+ Muong Thanh Dien Bien Hotel between 48 USD and 80 USD per night. Address: 514 Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Him Lam district, Dien Bien Phu city. It is, without doubt, the best in Dien Bien, offering the services of a 4-star hotel.

+ Ruby Hotel, between 15 USD and 35 USD per night. Address: 43 Muong Thanh district

+ Hotel A1, between 22 USD and 80 USD per night. Address: 3 Hoang Cong Chat street, Muong Thanh district

+ Phuong Nam Hotel, between 16 USD and 44 USD per night. Address: 211, group 3, Tan Thanh district

One alternative for accommodation in Dien Bien is a homestay. This option provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of local ethnic families. You can experience authentic moments by staying in a traditional Thai stilt house, for example.

Interested in a historic visit to Dien Bien Phu? Contact us now for the best experience.

Related article:

>> Muong Phang in Dien Bien: A Historical and Cultural Journey in Vietnam

>> Dien Bien Phu, an unmissable stop for all history lovers