Soldat Tay de l'armée française français dans la région de Diên Biên Phu lors de la guerre d'Indochine, le 20 novembre 1953. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images. CREATIVE. Collections; Project #ShowUs; Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Dien Bien Phu (Điện Biên Phủ, pronounced Dee-yen Bee-enn Foo) is a valley and small town in North Vietnam, 260 miles northwest of Hanoi and the place of the decisive 1954 battle that forced France to relinquish control of colonial Indochina. Once you've secured your airline tickets from Split to Dien Bien Phu, we will help you discover the best prices and exclusive rates for cheap hotels in Dien Bien Phu or nearby. this will allow you to find the cheapest place to travel from your chosen departure point. Car rental from Dien Bien Phu. Hotel Deals in Dien Bien Phu. Prices shown On more than one occasion, in the opening chapters the French considered permanently passing on Dien Bien Phu as a location to confront the Viet Minh to stop their push into Laos. Google Satellite Map of the valley Dien Bien Phu. At first glance this is a Greek Tragedy.Yet Fall reveals, to simply save face on the global stage France continued to send men to their deaths over the 56 day siege. Dien Bien Phu, Điện Biên Phủ, Điện Biên Province, 380000, Vietnam. Altitud mínima: 457 m • Altitud máxima: 1 968 m • Altitud media: 866 m. Acerca de este lugar > Vietnam > Điện Biên Province > Dien Bien Phu. Mapa topográfico del mundo • Aviso legal • Contacto. Vay Tiền Trả Góp 24 Tháng. Find out how to plan the most enjoyable trip to Dien Bien Phu Vietnam with our hand-picked collection of best Dien Bien Phu tour and Dien Bien travel guide including Dien Bien Phu loop, off the beaten path Dien Bien Phu trekking, hiking itinerary, guided Dien Bien Phu trek, budget Dien Bien Phu hikes. For many people, Dien Bien Phu is well recognized as the place where, in 1954, Vietnam broke the French colonization efforts in Vietnam and Indochina. Dien Bien Phu now bears few scars except for the occasional scattered tank to bear witness to its horrendous past, though it is still one of the remotest areas you could visit. The museums in the area also offer snapshots and glimpses into the past. The hilltribes living around the area of Dien Bien Phu make up 70% of the regions population, and the ethnic minority groups include the Black Thai, Nung, Meo, Loa and others. Dien Bien Phu things to do Dien Bien Phu Battle In an attempt to halt Viet Minh Vietnam Independence Association incursions into Laos, the French commander, Navarre, decided to establish a “super garrison” at the top end of a valley called Dien Bien. This was to police the strategic cross-roads between Laos to the West, Son La to the South and Lai Chau to the North. He believed that with this base firmly established in the Far Northwest, he would be able to launch sorties against the Viet Minh, and greatly reduce their strength in the area. He was to be proved terribly wrong. The Viet Minh commander, Vo Nguyen Giap, finally saw an opportunity for an open confrontation with the French and started working towards it. By mid 1953, the base was completed and regarded in French circles as virtually impregnable. With twelve battalions of French, Morrocan and Algerian soldiers, two airstrips, a heavily mined perimeter and surrounded by a number of smaller defensive positions, named Dominique, Elaine, Claudine and Huguette. These were named, supposably, after the four mistresses of the base commander Colonel Marie Ferdinand de la Croix de Castries. The troops within the compound slept fairly soundly at night! The French even went to the extent of flying in an entire brothel of French women to keep the soldiers happy! For Giap and his comrades, however, the struggle had hardly begun. They embarked on an incredible logistical feat of dragging up, in pieces, various heavy field guns that were then hidden in caves and dense forest cover in the hills surrounding the Dien Bien Phu base. By early 1954, Giap had over 40,000 men in the hills, completely surrounding the base. It was estimated that just to keep Giap’s men fed, over 250,000 porters were used to ferry food. For the French it was their ignorance amongst other things that led to their downfall. Though they knew the Viet Minh had some troops in the surrounding hills, nothing was done about it, until it was too late. On 10 March 1954, to the horror of the French, Viet Minh shells started landing on the airstrip. Giap possessed a comprehensive plan, first if which was the neutralisation of the airstrips, thus completing the siege. The French were taken completely by supprise, and after the first day of shelling, an assault was made on Gabrielle. By midnight 13 March, Beatrice had fallen. The fighting was fierce, with the Viet Minh often following up hours of shelling with human wave tactics, incurring shocking casualties. At times the fighting was hand to hand and always chaotic, with the French utterly frustrated by their inability to hit Giap’s well-concealed guns. Within five days, both the airfields had been completely destroyed and the garrison could only be re-supplied by airdrops, an increasingly perilous pastime, proven by the wrecked planes on the ground. As the Viet Minh edged closer and closer in trenches, the airdrops increasingly fell into Vietnamese hands. The position was becoming truly desperate. At the start of April there was a lull in the fighting during which Navarre parachuted in some of his crack troops adding to his garrison now totalling about 16,000. Giap also brought in his reserves, edging his forces up towards the 50,000 mark. The French were desperate and they appealed to the US for assistance, preferring bomber strikes from their bases in the Philippines. By this stage the US was funding 78% of the French war effort, so they hardly had unstained hands. They came back with a proposal for limited tactical nuclear strikes on the Vietnamese positions along with a series of strikes on China, fearing another Korea’, all of which would be performed on French behalf. Thankfully this insanity was avoided by the British giving the idea a big no and congress getting cold feet. In the end there was nothing forthcoming from the US. For the French, the end was near. On 4 May following a series of attacks, the Viet Minh attacked with a force previously unwitnessed and by 8 May the garrison finally surrended. By this stage the conditions within were unimaginable, with maggots in the wounds of the injured and an incredibly demoralised fighting force. It was estimated that during the battle 7,000 French and close to 20,000 Vietnamese had lost their lives. This loss finally caused the French to withdraw from Vietnam. Read more Dien Bien Phu Vietnam Tours Browse for more Dien Bien Phu Vietnam tours or Customize your own trip to Dien Bien Vietnam. 1. Enjoy Dien Bien’s landscape and people Experience the ride on great Pha Din Pass On the National Highway 6 traveling to Dien Bien, you will go through the famous Pha Din, one of the great four passes in Northern Vietnam. The name originated from the language of local Thai people, in which Pha’ means Sky’ and Din’ means Earth’. The pass is where the sky and earth meet. With a length of 32 kilometers, Pha Din Pass possesses a gentle beautiful green mountains and azure river. At the elevation of 1,600 meters above the sea level, you can enjoy the peaceful panorama view of rustic ethnic villages lying on the valley, nested behind the hills. This zigzag pass containing eight winding turns is suitable for adventurous travelers who want to conquer the challenge. Trek through Muong Thanh – the largest rice field in Northwest Vietnam Covered by Pu Hong Meo and Pu Hong Thai mountains, Muong Thanh valley is a spectacular place for admiring emerald rice fields and trekking across breathtaking trails. As the largest field in northwest Vietnam, Muong Thanh field is located just a few kilometers away from the city centre, spreading on 20 kilometers in length and 6 kilometers in width. It’s an ocean of rice fields before your eyes. Muong Thanh field is nurtured by Nam Ron river, winding its way through the green rice fields, making a beautiful painting of Dien Bien countryside. Spanning Nam Rom River is Muong Thanh Bridge, the must-see attraction as it marked the collapse of the French colonists in Vietnam on the way of retreatment. When visiting in the harvest season, starting from September, you’ll have a chance to see a wonderful sight of local farmers laboring on the field, smiling friendly with the visitors. Waving back, taking a photo with them, you will earn an extra happliness on the way trekking through Muong Thanh valley. Visit Muong Lay – the valley of stilt houses Muong Lay is some kind of legendary destination to local travelers, who wish to set foot on the most remote soils of the country. There is the azure Son La Reservoir run calmly by black roofed stilt houses along the riversides where ethnic minorities live. The most prominent indigenous culture in Muong Lay is White Thai people, with its iconic traditional costume and authentic tradition, that has become one of the most well-known attractions in Northwest Vietnam. Come to Muong Lay, it’s a pity if you miss a boat trip on Da River or visit an ethnic handicraft village or homestaying in a Thai traditional stilt house. Muong Lay is the worthiest destination in Dien Bien, a gem in north Vietnam that is still untouched by tourism. Boat at peaceful Pa Khoang Lake The Pa Khoang lake is a famous natural site for tourists to relax and enjoy the natural beauties. With its total area of 2,400 hectares, a rich flora and fauna, Pa Khoang offers a unique and pristine getaway from the noise of the city. The lake is lying in the centre of mountains, in a place of beautiful natural sceneries. In spring, mist covers the mountains and small houses which create a mysterious picture. In summer, the weather is quite nice with blows of cool wind. During autumn and winter, the lake surface is just like a gigantic mirror, reflecting the blue sky and the grey mountains. On the lake’s banks, you can discover the daily life of Thai and Kho Mu, who still follow traditional customs and habits of the ethnic groups, or try your hands at fishing, while letting your eyes enjoy the beauties of nature. Dotted with steep hills, green mountains, and small houses, Pa Khoang Lake is definitely a romantic place for a boat trip when sunset is about to fall. The boat will take you to the islet lying at the middle of Pa Khoang lake which is given the name Love Islet’ by the local people. On the islet lies a large garden of Japanese cherry blossom which covers the whole island with its dreamy pastel pink color. All make a peaceful and romantic picture that is attractive to all visitors. Explore amazing Tham Pua Cave It is an ancient cave, deep and wide, about 1,000 meters high with many narrow paths. Coming here, visitors have a chance to see in their own eyes a number of stalactites in various shapes which look like such animals as dragons, phoenix, lions, elephants, and beautiful orchids. The local people have found out many historical remains such as axes, stone pestle, and fossil bones. Tham Pua Cave is also the place where the decisive meeting for the Dien Bien Phu campaign was held on January 14, 1954. Soak up the local culture at Ta Sin Thang fair market Ta Sin Thang is not only a fair market but also a place for culture exchange and romance finding. Opening only once every 6 days, Ta Sin Thang market is a mini festival of the highland welcoming several ethnic minority groups such as H’mong, Thai, Zao and Phu La…. to come with their best clothes to trade goods, sharing stories, eat and even date. The busiest hour of the market is around noon, when the people start to gather around tables for lunch. Those who visit Xa Nhe market will love to enjoy local food, festive atmosphere and authentic cultural practice… things that make Dien Bien special. 2. Recall history at relic sites Bunker of General of De Castries Located in the center of Dien Bien Phu Garrison in A1 hill, French commander’s bunker is 20m in length and 8m in width, including rooms for both boarding and working. This is where the General De Castries was captured on May 7 1954, in the centenary battle of Dien Bien Phu which has been recorded and shown on TV by Vietnamese government every anniversary of Dien Bien Phu victory. This iconic bunker can be seen from any hill of the strong-point, and is the must-see site in Dien Bien. Him Lam Hill Considered as the great important point of defence, this place witnessed the first battle of the whole Dien Bien Phu Offensive on March 13 1954. On the first day of the offensive Vietminh poured down bombardment into the valley – a move French had not predicted because, tragically, French underestimated the skill of Vietminh and especially of Vo Nguyen Giap. On this day, Vietminh bombshells killed two French commanders. And two days later, French artillery commander, Colonel Charles Piroth, distraught at his inability to bring counterfire on well-camouflaged Vietminh batteries, committed suicide with a hand grenade inside his dugout. The victory in Him Lam Hill marked an important milestone and revived the morale of Viet Minh troops. Victory Museum Opened on the 60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory, the museum is the place that keeps most important documents and images related to the legendary battle. The museum’s outside design resembles the camouflage netting on the helmet of Vietnamese soldiers. These four themes of exhibition Vietnamese resistance, the battle itself, international support and the consequence of this victory. These four themes are well displayed via the five sections, 270 objects and more than 200 paintings, photos of great historical value. Visitors should come to the museum to understand more about Dien Bien Phu Battle and ultimately the Vietnamese people in wartime.

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