Travel to Dien Bien and come back to the Great Victory of Dien Bien Phu

[nguyen to loan]

Dien Bien- Vietnam is well- known nationwide and worldwide because of the Dien Bien Phu Battle in 1954 . Remarkably, this is the place where Vietnamese people defeated the French Colonist with the Great Victory of Dien Bien Phu. 

Nowadays, a huge number of foreign tourists, especially the French Veterans are attracted to Dien Bien in Vietnam travel with the hope of coming back to the old battle field to recall the past.

Command bunker of French General De Castries

Command bunker of General De Castries- Dien Bien Phu

Located in the heart of the entrenched camp of Dien Bien Phu, Command bunker of General De Castries is kept intact the original shape, dimension, structure and arrangement of the bunker. In Dien Bien Phu entrenched camp; the command bunker was the place where Vietnamese troops fought bravely during fifty four days and nights to get inside. With twenty meters in length and eight meters in width, the bunker consists of 4 compartments, which served as both working offices and resident places. Travelers come here now can still find the iron vaults and sandbags on the top of the bunker.

Muong Thanh Airfield

Muong Thanh Airfield used to be served as the stronghold 206 and the central airport of the entrenched camp of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Presently, the name “Muong Thanh” has been changed into Dien Bien Airfield. This is one of the destinations in the flight system of the Vietnam Civil Aviation. Tourists travelling to Dien Bien by air will land at this airport.

Hill A1

Hill A1- Dien Bien Phu

Hill A1 is situated in Muong Thanh ward in Dien Bien Phu City. It possesses three defense lines. One of them which stretched from the Cay Da blockhouse and protected the way to the hilltop has currently been the main road leading to the top of Hill A1. Hill A1 played an important role in controlling the whole battle of Dien Bien Phu. Tourists can easily realize a hole atop Hill A1 – which resulted from the pressure of an explosion in Dien Bien Phu Battle. This hole has become one of the most attractive destinations to tourists in Vietnam travel.

Besides Hill A1, from afar tourists can easily recognize the names of some hills named Doc Lap, Him Lam, Hill C, D and E. They are now well-preserved by Dien Bien People and Authorities.

The cemeteries in Hill A1 and Doc Lap Hill

When traveling to Dien Bien, almost French veterans who used to take part in the entrenched camp of Dien Bien Phu will spend time visiting the cemeteries in Hill A1 and Doc Lap Hill. This is the resting place of Vietnamese soldiers who heroically sacrificed in fighting against the French troops in 1954. It is estimated that there are 644 tombs at Hill A1 and 2432 tombs at Doc Lap Hill.

The Command post of the Vietnamese soldiers

The Command post of the Vietnamese soldiers- Dien Bien Phu

It is located in a primitive forest in Muong Phang Commune. Tourists visiting here have chance to find the hut where Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap worked and other huts for information and military operation discussion.

Here are the historical sites of the fifty six days and nights fierce battle of Vietnamese troops and Vietnamese people, which results in the glorious victory of Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

It is such a pity if you travel to Dien Bien without spending some times visiting Dien Bien Phu Vestiges. Nowadays, foreign tourists also travel to Dien Bien to enjoy its beautiful mountain scenery of fresh air together with experience the life-style of some Vietnam Ethnic Minorities in Dien Bien like the Thai, Hmong, Dao, etc and visit some highlights such as Pha Din Pass, Tham Pua Cave or Pa Khoang Reservoir, etc.