Among them, the target for science and technology is emphasized: “To implement comprehensive digital transformation in all fields, gradually forming the foundations of a digital government, digital economy, and digital society; to build and operate a smart city ecosystem in the ward.” This is also one of the five key breakthroughs for the Party Committee’s upcoming term.

The set goal clearly demonstrates the innovative determination of the ward’s Party Committee, while also specifying the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Resolution No. 13-NQ/TU of the provincial Party Committee on the development of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the building of smart, modern, green, and civilized urban areas. In that spirit, the ward has identified the development of digital technology infrastructure and the application of artificial intelligence as the key direction to realize the goal of building a smart city.

To implement the set goal, Điện Biên Phủ ward has deployed many specific solutions. Attention has been paid to improving the digital capacity of officials and civil servants through training classes on information technology and artificial intelligence, helping the team of officials to gradually access and master new technologies. The ward effectively maintains Zalo groups for specific fields such as land, handling of petitions, and community groups in residential areas, creating a two-way information channel between the government and the people, which helps in promptly reflecting and addressing arising issues.

Regarding infrastructure, the ward is gradually implementing the undergrounding of technical systems in new resettlement and urban areas, requiring the synchronization of electricity and telecommunications infrastructure right from the initial phase. This approach not only contributes to ensuring urban aesthetics but also creates a foundation for the process of building a green, civilized, and smart city.

In particular, the ward has proactively cooperated with the IGB Group to develop many key technology items for the 2026 - 2030 period. The projects include: Building an online smart tourism map; digitizing tourism resources, cultural heritage, and festivals; developing a smart tourism platform that integrates data, maps, and utility services for tourists; an e-commerce promotion system to support the consumption of OCOP products; and a smart agriculture management system applying IoT. These efforts are a testament to the proactive, creative, and determined spirit of the Party Committee and government of Điện Biên Phủ ward in applying new technology, laying a solid foundation for the goal of building a smart city.

The ward has clearly identified the difficulties that need to be overcome in the process of building a smart city. Digital infrastructure has not been invested in uniformly, and overhead electricity and telecommunications systems are still common. Although the team of officials has received training, their in-depth knowledge of technology and artificial intelligence is limited, and the specialized technical workforce does not meet the requirements. The connection to and exploitation of national digital platforms such as the population database, electronic identification, and the national public service portal are not yet truly synchronized. Ensuring network safety and security poses potential risks, while the financial resources for digital transformation are heavily dependent on support from higher levels and social mobilization.

To achieve the set goal, Điện Biên Phủ ward has determined that the digital transformation task must be implemented decisively, comprehensively, and synchronously. The Party Committee and the People’s Committee of the ward will directly lead and assign specific responsibilities to each unit, ensuring unity in implementation. Every residential group, agency, and unit must have an action plan for applying digital technology in the fields of management, economy, culture-society, and national defense-security.

One of the key directions is to build an urban spatial database and a comprehensive digital map of infrastructure, land, population, and planning. This will be a modern management tool, supporting the ward’s leaders in making quick and accurate decisions. The ward is also researching the formation of a Smart City Operations Center, which will integrate data from many fields such as security and order, traffic, land, online public services, and feedback from citizens. Through this, people can easily look up planning information, register for administrative procedures, and monitor the locality’s socio-economic activities.

Smart services in each sector will be promoted. In tourism, the ward is building a smart tourism map linked with the digitization of festivals and cultural heritage, creating an attractive promotional tool to attract tourists. In the agricultural sector, the application of smart farming models using IoT will help improve production efficiency and adapt to climate change. For healthcare, the ward is gradually implementing electronic health records and remote medical consultation applications, helping people access services quickly and conveniently.

Ensuring network safety and security is a top priority, with the organization of training, drills, and the development of data security skills for officials. At the same time, regulations on access management and an early warning system for natural disasters and fires will be built to ensure the safety of the people.

To secure sufficient resources, the ward is increasing investment attraction and promoting the social mobilization for the development of digital technology infrastructure under the principle of “State support, business investment, and public consensus for shared benefits.” Based on the provincial plan, the ward will announce a list of projects calling for investment in telecommunications infrastructure, smart lighting, data centers, public wifi, and an urban surveillance camera system.

With high political determination, the consensus of the people, and the companionship of businesses, Điện Biên Phủ ward is gradually affirming its pioneering role in the digital transformation process. It is believed that with the leadership of the Party committees at all levels and the efforts of the entire political system, the ward will soon become a model smart city, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of Điện Biên in the new era.

* Abridged from the presentation by the Điện Biên Phủ ward Party Committee at the 15th provincial Party Congress.