The province was taken by French troops commanded by Brière de l'Isle in 1884 from Chinese mercenary Black Flags.

Before the 15th century, the Black River basin was the homeland of various hill polities and ethnic groups, such as Muang Then and Ngưu Hống of Tai Dam people.

In 1431 the Vietnamese king Lê Lợi subdued them and captured the Muang Le leader Đèo Cát Hãn, who submitted as a vassal.

Around 1840s, Deo lord Đèo Văn Trị saw the Hmong people from China migrated and settled on his lands in Lai Châu.

[2] When the Yellow Flags from China attacked in 1872, the Deos successfully resisted the invaders and were rewarded by Vietnamese emperor Tu Duc.