The northern section of Điện Biên Province borders the province of Yunnan in China and the entire Western border of the province is shared with the Phongsali province of Laos.
Northern midlands and mountainous is bordered by 2 provinces of Southern China: Guangxi and Yunnan to the north; 3 provinces of Upper Laos: Phongsali, Luang Prabang, Hua Phan to the west; Red River Delta to the southeast; North Central Coast to the southwest; Gulf of Tonkin to the east.