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Mai Chau Village

Lai Chau Province at a glimpse

Lai Chau is an out of the way place about 100km north, and 4 hours drive, from Dien Bien Phu. It is also one of the hottest places in Vietnam, during the summer months of June and July when temperatures can climb to 40oC. During the rainy season the town is prone to severe flooding from the Da River. Nevertheless the scenery around Lai Chau is quite breathtaking and worth the effort involved in getting there.

Son la Province

This is a good stop over point if you are travelling from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu since it is approximately half way (time-wise) between the two. In the centre of the town is the old French Prison and Museum. In the prison grounds is a peach tree that was planted by To Hieu, a former inmate, some time in the 1940's.

Dien Bien Phu at a glimpse

Area: 9,560 sq. km.Population: 440,800 habitants (2004).
Capital: Dien Bien Phu City.
Administrative divisions:
- Town: Muong Lay
- Districts: Tua Chua, Tuan Giao, Dien Bien Dong, Muong Tra, Muong Nhe, Dien Bien, Muong Ang.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Thai, Mong, Dao, Giay.

Dien Bien Phu is 35km from the Laos border and one of the remotest spots in Vietnam. It is also the site of the Viet Minh's decisive victory over the French when they defeated the 13,000 strong garrison at Dien Bien Phu, thus forcing the French government to abandon thier plans to re-establish control of Indochina. A museum now occupies the site of battle.
As well as the museum you will find various military atrifacts around the town. The headquarters of the French commander has been re-created, and the old Moung Thahn Bridge has been preserved. There are monuments to both the Viet Minh and French soldiers.

Hoa Binh Province at a glimpse

Lac Village in Mai Chau Valley
Location: In Hoa Binh Province, approximately 135km from Hanoi and 60km from Hoa Binh City.
Characteristics: From the top of Cun Pass, one can admire the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses. Many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group, live in Lac Village.

Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, about 135km (83 miles) from Hanoi and 60km (37 miles) from Hoa Binh. Mai Chau is well known for its natural beauty. The valley is home to many ethnic minorities, including the white Thai. From the top of Cun Mountain, the panorama of the lush green valley with its stilt houses is laid out before you.
Coming to Lac Village, you will see stilt houses border both sides of the roads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the making of the colorful tho cam, the material used by Thai minority to make their clothes, takes place in the kitchen. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fish. For more information about the province, please visit the official website:

http://www.hoabinh.gov.vn/

Lao Cai Province at a glimpse

Lao Cai province is centered on the city of Lào Cai itself. It is divided into eight districts: Muong Khuong, Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Thang, Sa Pa, Bao Yen, Van Ban, and Si Ma Cai. Lào Cai Province is located in the north of the country. It borders the provinces of Hà Giang, Yên Bái, Sơn La, and Lai Châu, as well as the province of Yunnan in the People's Republic of China.
Lào Cai is a mountainous region. In the northwest of the province is Phan Xi Păng (a.k.a. Fansipan), Vietnam's highest mountain. The province is bisected by the Red River, the most significant river of northern Vietnam, which flows out of China towards the capital Hanoi. Much of the province is heavily forested. The temperature generally ranges between 18° and 28°, although lowland areas tend to have less variation than mountainous areas.
For more information about the province, please visit the official website of Lao Cai Provincial Government website

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