Guide to Vietnam
Must See Vietnam
- Ba Be National Park
- Bac Ha Market
- Cua Dai Beach
- Dalat
- Dien Bien Phu
- Ha Tien
- Halong Bay
- Hué
- Mariamman Hindu Temple
- Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
- My Son
- Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda
- Thien Hau Pagoda
Places in Vietnam
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Dien Bien Phu, in the heart-shaped Muong Thanh Valley near the Lao border, is in one of the remotest parts of Vietnam. The valley is surrounded by steep, heavily forested hills and the area is inhabited by hill tribes, notably the Tai and H'mong.
Dien Bien Phu was the site of that rarest of Vietnamese military events, a battle that can be called truly decisive. It was here in 1954 that Viet Minh forces overran the beleaguered French garrison after a 57-day siege, ending any chance of France re-establishing colonial control of Indochina.
The site of the battle is marked by a small museum, which eloquently tells the story of Vietnamese determination to be rid of the colonial forces.