Điện Biên is a new province which was created by dividing the former Lai Chau Province in early 2004. Điện Biên includes all the land to the south of the Đà River (Black River), and New Lai Châu Province includes all the land to the north of the Đà River.
Điện Biên is divided one city (Điên Biên Phủ), one town (Mường Lay - formerly called Lai Châu), and six districts: