To realize this goal, all levels, sectors, and local authorities are focusing on resolving bottlenecks, accelerating site clearance, deploying resettlement zones, and mobilizing popular consensus so that the project can be deployed promptly.

According to a report by the provincial Project Management Board for Transport Construction Works, site clearance across the two resettlement sites of Món Hà village and Lịch Cang village (Mường Lạn commune) under the Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Border Gate Expressway project (Phase 1) has achieved many positive results. As of October 8, surveying, ownership determination, and asset tallying were completed for 76 out of 76 affected households, including 67 households in Món Hà village and 9 households in Lịch Cang village. At the Món Hà resettlement site alone, functional authorities had verified land origins for only 37 households at that point. However, with decisive engagement across all levels, by October 20, the asset tallying and verification of land origins across both of these resettlement sites were fully accomplished.

On that basis, the administration of Mường Lạn commune continues to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to promptly complete procedures and resolve emerging difficulties and bottlenecks to accelerate the implementation of resettlement sites. Thanks to the decisive involvement of the investor, local Party committees, and local administrations, alongside popular consensus, units have to date carried out ground leveling and project construction at both resettlement sites. Vũ Tiến Thặng, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Mường Lạn commune, said: “During the deployment of two resettlement sites in the locality, the Party committee, administration, and the entire political system of the commune actively stepped in, organizing village meetings, carrying out communication, and mobilizing affected households. Citizens agreed with the policy and site clearance plans, creating favorable conditions for the project to be constructed strictly according to schedule.”

According to preliminary reviews, the expressway alignment traversing Mường Lạn commune measures approximately 17km in length, expected to affect roughly 168 households alongside substantial areas of production land, housing, architectural structures, trees, and crops. Parallel to the resettlement sites, the locality is coordinating with the project investor and relevant entities to urgently review cadastral dossiers, verify current land-use status, and specifically determine affected households and structures. Communication and mobilization work have been synchronously deployed to build public consensus, ensuring the site clearance process is conducted rigorously and in accordance with regulations, contributing to accelerating project progress.

In Mường Phăng commune, the expressway alignment traverses more than 13km, affecting 287 households; among them, 47 households must relocate housing and architectural structures to accommodate the project. Over recent times, the commune focused on executing site clearance, especially at the two resettlement sites of Lọng Luông and Xôm village. In particular, the Lọng Luông resettlement site is planned over more than 2ha, accommodating 11 households and individuals; the Xôm village resettlement site spans over 2.3ha, accommodating 42 households, individuals, and managing organizations. By October 20, construction had begun on the Lọng Luông resettlement site project; the Xôm village resettlement site project is urgently completing procedures to commence groundbreaking.

During execution, the People’s Committee of Mường Phăng commune assigned the communal Project Management and Land Fund Development Board to coordinate with specialized bodies and the project investor to carry out assignments according to functions and competence; while reviewing and resolving emerging difficulties and bottlenecks to guarantee citizens’ rights and meet project schedule requirements. Trần Văn Tuấn, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Mường Phăng commune, stated: “The communal People’s Committee mobilized maximum human resources, actively coordinating with specialized agencies and the investor to implement each assignment according to functions and authority. To date, households affected by the two resettlement site projects have fundamentally reached consensus and handed over sites for construction. We are currently continuing to review and coordinate the handling of emerging difficulties and bottlenecks during deployment, safeguarding citizens’ interests and satisfying project progress timelines.”

Coupled with government action, popular consensus is contributing to untangling hurdles in site clearance. At the Xôm village resettlement site, affected households reached consensus and handed over premises, facilitating subsequent implementation phases.

Cà Văn Phòng, head of Xôm village (Mường Phăng commune), shared: “The village coordinated with the communal People’s Committee and the project investor to organize village meetings and conduct outreach so that residents understand the benefits of the expressway in easing travel, commerce, and local economic development. At the meetings, all guidelines, policies, and site clearance plans were made public and transparent before the people by the commune and the investor. From there, villagers understood and consented to hand over land in service of the project.”

The Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Border Gate Expressway project (Phase 1) has a length of approximately 48.3km, traversing six communes and wards. Specialized agencies, local administrations, and the investor continue to coordinate closely, reviewing the progress of each assignment, and proactively resolving hurdles in land origin verification, compensation plan formulation, and site clearance. Clearly defining responsibilities, promptly handling emerging issues, and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the people will contribute to generating substantive breakthroughs throughout project implementation.

Trần Thanh Kiên, Director of the provincial Project Management Board for Transport Construction Works, said: “To guarantee project progress, especially regarding resettlement sites, the Board mobilized maximum personnel, assigning permanent working teams stationed in Mường Lạn and Mường Phăng communes, collaborating intimately with local authorities to expedite progress. Emerging difficulties and bottlenecks are prioritized for coordinated settlement within authority. Concurrently, the Board continues to work with relevant departments and sectors to finalize procedures and fully prepare necessary conditions, ensuring the project is deployed on schedule.”

Accelerating the progress of the Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Border Gate Expressway (Phase 1) requires decisive direction and administration, proactive execution by implementing units, and public consensus. When grassroots bottlenecks are resolved, resettlement sites are deployed early, and land is handed over step by step, the project will secure additional favorable conditions to achieve set targets, contributing to perfecting transport infrastructure, boosting commerce, and fostering the socio-economic development of Điện Biên province.