Nostalgia for the heroic land of Dien Bien on the journey to the Northwest

Pha Din Pass is the most dangerous pass in the Northwest. Photo: STS

Dien Bien is associated with the Dien Bien Phu victory that resounded throughout the five continents of our nation. This heroic land is about 450 km from Hanoi, bordering Son La and Lai Chau. In addition to its glorious golden history, this is also a place of beauty that makes countless tourists remember.

Le Vi (24 years old, Hanoi) shared that for 4 consecutive years, she has visited Dien Bien every year, and each time her feelings are different.

"Every time I come here, I stay for a whole week and still don't want to go home" - the female tourist confided.

Having the opportunity to visit Dien Bien on a trip to the Northwest, she suggested that tourists should not miss the attractive places that not everyone knows about.

A1 Hill with bright red royal poinciana flowers. Photo: Le Vi

A1 Hill Historical Site

70 years ago, the A1 hill base was the site of the fiercest and longest battles of the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Coming here in the summer, visitors will admire the bright red phoenix flowers blooming next to trenches, barbed wire fences, tanks next to 960 kg explosive craters.

The land of Tuan Giao is charming.

Located in the northwest of Dien Bien province, this is a beautiful and poetic valley. Tourists can easily hunt for clouds in Tenh Phong, a highland commune 13km from the center of Tuan Giao district, or immerse themselves in the highland market of ethnic minorities.

Cloud hunting is easy in Tenh Phong. Photo: Le Vi

In addition, when coming to Tuan Giao, visitors can experience conquering Pha Din Pass. Associated with the name of the four great mountain passes, this is one of the most dangerous but also the most beautiful passes in the Northwest. Pha Din possesses sudden bends and a fairy-like landscape. Above the road is a hazy cloud, at the foot of the pass are scattered villages.

Ta Phin ancient stone plateau

Located in Ta Phin commune, the stone plateau is about 35km from Tua Chua town. This place is endowed by nature with a very special terrain. The layers of cat ear rocks are close together from the valley to the top of the hill. The beauty is not inferior to the Dong Van stone plateau (Ha Giang). The houses of the Mong people are interspersed with the rocky outcrops, looking extremely pleasing to the eye.

Lost in a fairy tale-like forest in Tenh Phong. Photo: Le Vi

Le Vi added that Tua Chua is a land that deserves to be known more for its beauty of golden terraced fields in the ripe rice season, ancient Shan Tuyet tea forests tens of meters high, or admiring the architectural work of Thanh Vang Long with many historical and cultural values.

The westernmost point of A Pa Chai, where one rooster crows and three countries can hear it.

Located on the top of Khoang La San mountain, the westernmost point of the country, A Pa Chai is 1,864m above sea level. This is the border intersection of three countries: Vietnam, China, and Laos.

The scenery in Sin Chai is as beautiful as a painting. Photo: Le Vi

To conquer the peak of A Pa Chai, you have to overcome many winding, rocky roads and pass through dense primeval forests. Standing on the top, looking far away to see the vast sky and land, the mountains, the feeling of strange elation.

The female tourist said that all four times she visited Dien Bien were different experiences. The feelings are hard to describe in just a few words.

“The first time seeing the Ban flowers blooming all over the roads of Muong Ang. The first time being exhausted because the road to A Pa Chai took forever to reach. The first time asking for food and lodging at Ta Sin Thanh school because I couldn’t get back to Tuan Giao in time. The first time experiencing the beautiful Tua Chua road. The first time picking cardamom in Tenh Phong with the Mong people….” – Le Vi recounted.