Consequently, the 2026-2030 period requires a comprehensive review and adjustment of NRD criteria to suit the new administrative model, shifting the focus toward enhancing quality and ensuring sustainable development.

With the implementation of the two-tier local government model, the number of communes in the province has decreased from 115 to 42. While the merger of administrative units offers advantages in streamlining the apparatus and improving management efficiency, it has also “shuffled” NRD criteria. As a result, the province currently has no communes meeting the “Model” or “Advanced” NRD standards, and only 3 out of 42 communes fulfill all 19 criteria, making them eligible for re-recognition. Additionally, 7 communes meet between 15 and 18 criteria, 23 communes meet between 10 and 14, and 9 communes meet fewer than 10.

Compared to the period before restructuring, the number of communes meeting standard or high-level criteria has dropped sharply. This decline primarily stems from the developmental gap between localities during mergers, which caused many criteria to “fall below standard,” particularly those related to income, infrastructure, the environment, and production organization. At the end-of-year session in 2025, the 15th provincial People’s Council set a goal for 11.9% of communes (equivalent to 5 communes) to meet standards by 2026. However, current reviews indicate that only 3 communes are currently eligible.

Na Sang commune, for instance, met 16 out of 19 NRD criteria following its merger, with 11 villages previously certified under the 2021-2025 criteria. Post-merger, several villages now face immense difficulties, especially regarding income and poverty rates, as the commune’s multidimensional poverty rate stands at 28% with a near-poverty rate of 12%. Trần Hồng Quân, Chairman of the commune People’s Committee, stated that the goal is for the commune to meet NRD standards by 2030. This includes raising the average per capita income to over VND 50 million per year and reducing the multidimensional poverty rate to below 13%. To achieve this, the commune is focusing on production development and income enhancement as core tasks while prioritizing essential infrastructure in the most disadvantaged villages.

Similarly, Sáng Nhè commune has currently achieved only 12 out of 19 criteria. Major bottlenecks remain in difficult areas such as poverty reduction, residential housing, electricity, and the environment. Overcoming these obstacles requires a drastic and synchronized effort from the entire political system alongside public consensus to shift traditional production habits and improve environmental awareness.

As the province moves into the 2026-2030 phase, the administrative restructuring and regional developmental differences necessitate a more flexible and substantive recognition process. Based on the National Criteria for New-style rural Communes for this period, the province views this as a pivotal stage in transitioning the NRD program from “meeting standards” to being “modern and sustainable.”

The new National Criteria set for 2026-2030 includes 10 criteria and 47 indicators, a breakthrough that ends the “one-size-fits-all” approach. Each criterion is now categorized into three distinct groups. Group 1 includes communes adjacent to existing urban areas or those slated for urban development. Group 2 covers general communes, while Group 3 focuses on Area II and Area III communes in ethnic minority and mountainous regions. This specialized classification allows for a more realistic and attainable path to completion for diverse localities.

The provincial Party Committee aims for 60% of communes to meet or basically meet NRD standards by 2030. While ambitious, this target serves as a vital motivator for all levels and sectors to exploit local potential. Realizing this goal requires a total evaluation of NRD criteria based on the new administrative units to build specific roadmaps for each commune. Classifying communes will help identify which can reach the finish line early and which require concentrated support.

Key solutions involve developing production to raise incomes and perfecting rural infrastructure. In an environment of limited resources, the province must prioritize essential works such as transportation, irrigation, clean water, schools, and medical facilities. Simultaneously, there is a need to mobilize socialized resources and promote the role of the people as the primary subjects of rural development. While the post-merger landscape presents challenges, the determination of the political system and the consensus of the people provide a solid foundation for building a developed, civilized, and sustainable Điện Biên.