The French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 signaledthe end of French influence in Indochina. The battle fought around Dien Bien Phu was the last major campaign by a European state in the region; by the end of the decade the United States was to become the prominent foreign power in Vietnam and the influence of France dwindled to barely nothing – such was the impact of their defeat at the hands of General Giap’s forces. This trip is for experienced cyclists only. Vietnam Cycle Tours