Ban Phu Citadel

Ban Phu Citadel is an attractive destination and must-see place  for tourists in Vietnam travel. Located in Noong Het village, Dien Bien district, about 9 km from the West of Dien Bien Phu city, the citadel was built in the 15^th century. It was located at the south of Muong Thanh paddy field with its precinct of more than ten hectares. The structure of this citadel included two systems of defence works which were more than three kilometers and higher than the people. The citadel's base was surrounded with dense bamboos and a deep moat outside. Noong Het Ward today used to be the centre of the citadel in the past.

Ban Phu Citadel is now restored at a section of the long wall in order to create the travellers' imagination about the magnificent ancient citadel in the old days. In the 18^th century, Phe warriors (from China) came and conquered Ban Phu citadel. Hoang Cong Chat then was assigned to liberate Muong Thanh region. He quickly got back the citadel and then liberated Dien Bien in May 1975, exactly 200 years before Ho Chi Minh's soldiers brought freedom to Dien Bien in 1954. After Hoang Cong Chat passed away, local residents established a temple to remind about his merits. This temple is now located in the citadel, under the great leaf canopy of the "doan ket" (collaborating) tree, i.e. the snowbell winding the banyan tree. It is 12 kiloemtres far from Dien Bien Phu City to the south-western. Ban Phu Citadel and Hoang Cong Chat Temple are currently very attracting destinations in Dien Bien for tourists in Vietnam travel.

Pa Khoang Lake

Pa Khoang Lake- Dien Bien, an interesting ecotourism destination in Vietnam Travel

Located in Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien district, the position of Pa Khoang lake is very convenient, near the road 279, about 20 km from Dien Bien Phu city, linking Dien Bien Phu city with Muong Phang historical and cultural forest where the relics of the Command of Dien Bien Phu compaign remains.

Pa Khoang Lake next to the Command Base of Đien Bien Phu Battle.

The total area of 2,400 ha, in which 1,320 ha of forest area, 300 ha of farming land, 150 ha of basic construction, and 600 ha of water surface area (the lake contains about 37.2 million m3 of water), the Pa Khoang tourist complex has many favourable conditions for tourist activities such as diverse plants, various topography, mountainous tropical weather, etc. More specially, Pa Khoang lake is an interesting ecotourism destination to visitors in Vietnam tourism. It’s the fact that there are a number of animals and various kinds of orchids in the forest around the lake. There are many species of fish and floating plants in the lake (about 65 kinds of floating plants, 14 species of floating animals and 6 species living at the bottom of the lake).

Row boats for sight-seeing.

Pa Khoang lake lies in the centre of ranges of mountains, in a place of beautiful natural sceneries. In spring, mist covers ranges of mountains and small houses which create a mysterious picture. In summer, the weather is quite nice with blows of cool wind. Visitors joining tours in Vietnam can enjoy the natural beauty in the distance or row a boat for sight-seeing. All makes a peaceful and romantic picture that is attractive to both domestic and international tourists coming here. In the lake region, there are the villages of Thai and Kho Mu ethnic groups who still follow traditional customs and habits of ethnic groups in the North West of Vietnam. This is also an interesting human tourist potential.

If you are in Vietnam travel, please do not wait for any more, let’s go and visit more attractive places in Dien Bien!

Pa Thom Cave

Vietnam tourism: Pa Thom Cave

As parts of Pa Thom commune, the spectacular Pa Thom Cave is situated in the West of Dien Bien District, adjoining the border between Vietnam and Laos. Interestingly, the local people usually call the cave as “Tham Nang Lai” which means the Full-of-Fairies Cave in Vietnamese language.

Pa Thom Cave

Accompanied by myths about love and loyalty, Pa Thom Cave is not only a natural wonder but also a holy place in the belief of Dien Bien people. Located up high on the side of a mountain, the cave has a 12m high, 17m wide, arch-shaped mouth. At the middle of this special entrance stands a giant stone resembling the head of an elephant. Along the 350m length of the cave, there are 9 arches of different sizes. Impressive stones, stalactites, and stalagmites are ubiquitous. Right after you enter the cave, you will see a block of three huge stones that looks like a giant snake. Stalactites and stalagmites come in a variety of sizes and shapes, sparkling mysteriously under the candle light. The cave is extremely spacious. Decorated with majestic block of stones, the ceilings looks like that of a luxurious palace. The beautiful curtains made of soft-looking, colorful stalactites hang themselves beside the silver waterfalls inside the cave.

Pa Thom Cave

In addition to its magnificent look, the local tales about love make Pa Thom Cave a romantic and attractive destination for travelers from everywhere. When you have a chance to visit Dien Bien, never forget to pay a visit to this wonderful natural site. Surely, it will never let you down!

Tham Pua Cave

Tham Pua Cave, Dien Bien in a list of Vienam’s National Historical Sites

Tham Pua Cave is situated in Bung Lao Commune, Tuan Giao District, it is an unmentioned natural site.

About 10 meters in height, Tham Pua Cave comprised of many small crevices and tunnels is extremely large and deep. A big, even, flat rock stands in the middle of the cave like a large table. Stalactites in various figures such as dragons, lions, phoenixes, elephants and beautiful orchids hang down from the walls of Tham Pua.

 The cave not only owns natural beauty, but it is also a place where stone axes, pestles, and animal fossils have been found. It was listed among the National Historical Sites of Vietnam and now it is becoming one of the most tourist-attractive destinations of Dien Bien province in Vietnam tourism.

At the end of 1953 to January 18, 1954 Tham Pua cave was also the first Command Post of Dien Bien Phu Campaign. On January 14, 1954, this cave was a place where an important meeting of the Viet Nam Army to carry out the plan “ quickly attack and quickly advance” took place.

If you are joining tours in Vietnam, Tham Pua Cave in Dien Bien will be a visit-worthy destination.

Pha Din Pass

Pha Din Pass- Frontier between “Heaven and Earth”

As not so far from Hanoi, only about 32 kilometers long to reach Dien Bien province, visitors inVietnam tourism have to pass Pha Din pass, known as the longest pass in Vietnam. Pha Din, in the local language, means “Heaven and Earth.” Accompanied by local legend, Pha Din Pass is the place where the sky meets the earth, so it is considered as the frontier between “Heaven and Earth.”

Pha Din Pass in Dien Bien

It’s a long time ago, there existed a deputation on the border between Lai Chau and Son Laprovinces. It was solved by a horse-racing. Two horses started from each side of the pass and the border was determined at the point where they met each other. The horse of Son La province ran slower than the one of Lai Chau province so the pass belonging to Son La is shortet than that of Lai Chau.

Pha Din Pass holds an important and heroic part in history, so passing Pha Din Pass to Dien Bienmakes many people recall the courage of Vietnamese soldiers at Dien Bien Phu in the past.

Above 1,000m high, the pass is full of twists and turns, one side is an upright cliff and the other is a deep gulf. So, climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges, amid such magnificent scenery, is one of the most unforgettable tours in Vietnam to most foreign tourists.

Hill A1

Hill A1 made great contribution to controlling Dien Bien Phu Battlefield

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Hill A1- Dien Bien Phu

Located in Muong Thanh ward in Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province, Hill A1 possesses three defense lines. The first one 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. The second line was for counter-offensive assaults and the last one was a kind of underground bunker atop the hill.

Hill A1 played an important role in controlling the whole battle of Dien Bien Phu. Tourists in Vietnam tourism 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 tourist-attractive destinations in Dien Bien province.

Apart from Hill A1, from afar tourists can easily recognize the names of some hills named Doc Lap, Him Lam, Hill C, D and E, which are now well-preserved by Dien Bien ‘s Authorities and its local people.

If you have a chance to visit Dien Bien in the near future, you once come to Muong Thanh ward where you can witness the remaining of historical relics in the battle of Dien Bien Phu.

Muong Phang

Muong Phang- An ecological and historical tourism attractive destination to tourists in Vietnam travel

Along the road to Muong Phang commune, there are beautiful mountains, forests, and particularly a 60 ha reservoir which provides water to the hydroelectric projects of Thac Bay and Na Loi. The reservoir consits of hundreds of small islands and over 200 ha of forest vegetation cover floristic composition, therefore it’s very potential for eco-tourism development.

Command Post of Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters

Muong Phang commune still keeps the historical relic site of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters.

In reality, there is a primeval forest with century old trees which is called with respect by Dien Bien people “Forest of the General Vo Nguyen Giap”, as it is connected closely with General Vo Nguyen Giap who led the Dien Bien Phu Campaign to the world shaking victory. The forest is the place where the General Headquarters of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign was located and now becomes an ideal destination for those who want to come to see the vestiges of the battlefield.

Tourists in Vietnam travel to the relics will have chance to pass through the 69 m long tunnel through the mountain where General Vo Nguyen Giap and Major General Hoang Van Thai and other commanders discussed military affairs.

Tourists to the place can also learn about the hardships of commanders and soldiers that they had to bear during the war time. From the commander tunnel to the mountain is around 6 km.

Moving up to Pu Huot Mount is where General Vo Nguyen Giap placed watch tower. From there, visitors can see the whole Dien Bien Phu town, Muong Thanh valley and entrenched fortifications of French troops such as Him Lam Hill, Doc Lap Hill, D1 Hill, Muong Thanh bridge, etc.

Nowadays, together with the natural landscapes, the whole relic site of Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters has been well-preserved and restored to attract both local and international tourists and also war veterans come to see the vestiges of the former battlefield.

Coming to Muong Phang, visitors joining tours in Vietnam not only have opportunities to enjoy the imposing natural landscapes of the region but also understand more about Vietnam’s history.