Square: 9562,9 km2
Population: 504,5 thousands people (2010)
City: Dien Bien Phu City
Districts: Muong Lay town, Tua Chua, Tuan Giao, Dien Bien Dong, Muong Tra, Muong Nhe, Dien Bien.
OVERVIEW:
Dien Bien is a new province which was created by a split of the former Lai Chau Province in the early 2004. Điện Biên Province includes all the land in the south of Da River (Black River), and New Lai Châu Province includes all the land in the north of Đà River.
Travel in this region offers the best opportunity to meet and greet people of ethnic-minority hilltribe groups, from the timid White Thai to the gregarious Hmong. But remember that responsible tourism is crucial; our collective interaction with isolated ethnic minorities lays the groundwork for their future survival (or demise). Hire guides if you are going off into the boonies or out among ethnic groups. Your impact, especially if your travels take you to real rural parts, is important.
GEOGRAPHY:
Dien Bien Province is on the North - West Vietnam. It is next to Lai Chau, Son La provinces, Laos and China. The province has many mountains stretching along north-west and south-east direction. Muong Thanh Valley is largest one of this region. The topography includes forests, high mountains, narrow valleys, small plains, and springs.
CLIMATE:
Dien Bien is mountainous tropical area. There are the dry and the rainy seasons. The average temperature is about 21ºC - 23ºC.
TOURISM:
Dien Bien possesses charming natural scenery such as Pa Khoang Reservoir, Tham Bang Cave, Ban Phu Citadel, Museum of Dien Bien Phu Victory. Dien Bien are also proud of many historic sites: Noong Nhai Vestige, Muong Phang Forest, especially, Dien Bien Phu Vestige with a global well-known victory in 1954.
Traveling from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu, it takes 1 hour by plane. But by road, travelers go over kilometers of mountainous road and cross Pha Din Pass. The stretch of road goes uphill and downhill alternately with many sharp bends. It is a memorable event for everybody in this superb mountain.
TRANSPORTATION:
The network of road is convenient include:
- It takes 478km from Hanoi following National Highway No. 6 to Tuan Giao and then the 279 to Dien Bien Phu.
- It is 195km from Dien Bien Phu to Ma Lu Thang border gate (Lai Chau) following National Highway No. 12.
- The National Highway No. 279 links Tuan Giao to Tay Trang border gate vise Dien Bien Phu.
Beside that, there is Muong Thanh Airport in Dien Bien Phu, connecting Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu.
