Ντιέν Μπιέν

October to April is the best time, with dry, clear days. Rice fields in the valley are golden in September and October. March and April bring the white blossom of the ban flower. Summer from May to September is hot and wet, with heavy rain and landslides. The anniversary of the victory on 7 May brings events and crowds.

• Dien Bien Phu Museum holds weapons, maps and photographs from the battle, next to the war memorial.
• A1 Hill is the hill where the fiercest fighting took place, with a monument, tank and trenches.
• Commando Bunker is the bunker of the French commander, General de Castries, with a replica of the command room.
• Him Lam (Beatrice) Hill is a French strongpoint on the north side of the valley, with remains of trenches.
• Fortress I is a fortification close to Him Lam.
• Gabrielle Hill is a hill to the north, a strongpoint of the French.
• D1 Hill is a hill on the east of the valley.
• French Tank and French Tank and Aircraft Propellers are French tanks left on the battlefield.

• Walk the A1 Hill trenches: The site includes a monument, a tank and a crater from the mine.
• Enter De Castries' bunker: A small site beside the Nậm Rốm River.
• Visit the museum: Allow about 1 to 2 hours.
• Cycle through the valley: Rice fields run along the river.
• Eat local food: Grilled meats, river fish and sticky rice are common.

• Pá Khoang Lake: a large lake north of the town, with islands and homestays.
• Mường Phăng: a valley with the Vietnamese command post in the forest.
• Laos border: The Tay Trang border crossing is about 30 km away, for travel on to Laos.
• Lao Cai: a long trip east for Sa Pa and Lào Cai.

• East: Lao Cai has Sa Pa and Fansipan.
• South-east: Hoa Binh lies on the road to Hanoi.
• Capital: Hanoi is the main gateway.

• By air: Điện Biên Phủ Airport (DIN) is about 2 km from the town. Flights run from Hanoi in about 1 hour.
• By bus: Buses run from Hanoi in 10 to 12 hours, and from Sơn La in about 4 hours.
• By road: Mountain roads from Hanoi pass through Hòa Bình and Mộc Châu.
• By train: There is no railway. Vietnam Railways

• Taxi: A few taxis serve the town and the main sights.
• Motorbike hire: Easy to rent, and the best way to reach the hills.
• Bicycle: The valley is flat. Cycling is easy between the museum and the hills.
• Walking: The museum and A1 Hill are close. Other hills are further.

• Is a car worth it? For the battlefield and the lake, a car, motorbike or bicycle helps. The sights are spread over the valley.
• Roads: Mountain roads are narrow and winding. Landslides are possible in summer.
• Fuel: Fill up in town before long drives.

Điện Biên food is from the Thai and Hmong peoples. Try xôi nếp nương, sticky rice, pa pỉnh tộp, grilled flat fish, and grilled meats. Wild vegetables, bamboo shoots and rice wine are common. Eat at small restaurants in the town and near the lake.

Điện Biên Phủ is a safe town.

• Stay on marked paths at the battlefield sites.
• Mountain roads are steep and can be slippery in the rainy season.
• Nights are cool in winter. Bring warm clothes.
• Medical care is basic outside the provincial hospital.
• Respect the memorials at the battlefield sites.

In 1953 the French army built a fortified base in the Điện Biên Phủ valley to cut Viet Minh supply lines to Laos. Its strongpoints were named with women's names such as Beatrice, Gabrielle and Isabelle.

Viet Minh forces dragged heavy guns onto the surrounding hills and attacked from March 1954. The French surrendered on 7 May 1954. The defeat led to the Geneva Conference and the end of French rule in Indochina. Many of the battlefield sites have been preserved.

Quick practical facts for Vietnam at a glance: