Dien Bien Phu Battlefield

The Valley Where Vietnamese Forces Besieged And Defeated The French Garrison In 1954, Ending French Rule In Indochina. The Site Holds The A1 Hill, De Castries' Bunker, A Museum And A Cemetery. Remote, Reached By A Long Day On The Road Or A Short Flight From Hanoi · Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien

Dien Bien Phu is a green valley in the far north-west, near the Laos border, about 480 km from Hanoi. In 1954 the French army built a fortified base there, and Vietnamese forces under General Vo Nguyen Giap besieged it for 56 days, from March to May. The Vietnamese hauled artillery up the surrounding hills by hand and dug trenches towards the French positions, while the French, under General de Castries, relied on air supply that failed as the airstrip came under fire. The French surrendered on 7 May 1954, which ended French rule in Indochina. Today the site holds the A1 hill, where fighting was fiercest, De Castries' bunker, the Muong Phang command site, a museum with a large panorama painting, and a cemetery. Expect simple, well-kept displays and few foreign visitors. The place is remote, with a short flight or a long road trip. Most captions are in Vietnamese, and the story is told with a Vietnamese emphasis, so bring a guide or notes if you want more.

Dien Bien Phu valley and the A1 hill, in the north-west near the Laos border, about 480 km from Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien, Vietnam

The museum and main sites open daily in the daytime, usually from morning with a break around midday, so confirm the current hours. The museum is often closed on Mondays and on some public holidays, so check before you travel. The A1 hill, De Castries' bunker and the cemetery are outdoor and can be visited whenever the gates are open. Some sites have a small entry fee and some are FREE, and ask at the gate. Heavy rain can make the hill paths muddy and close sections. Muong Phang is further out and has no fixed hours.

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