The year 2025 has special significance, marking the completion of the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021 - 2025. In the context of complex regional and world economic developments, natural disasters, and climate change continuing to exert great pressure, Điện Biên province still maintained stable and comprehensive development momentum in many fields.

According to Report No.6662/BC-UBND, dated November 25, 2025, of the provincial People’s Committee, in 2025, the province’s GRDP is estimated to reach VND 17,661.86 billion (2010 comparative prices), with a growth rate of 8.51%; GRDP per capita reached VND 52.95 million/person/year; the economic structure shifted in the right direction, in which the industry - construction sector accounted for 21.74%, an increase of 1.05 percentage points compared to 2024. The estimated public investment capital disbursement rate until the end of January 2026 reached 99.63%.

In the agriculture sector, Điện Biên province recorded many positive results: Coffee bean output reached 6,215.01 tons, an increase of 28.72%; macadamia output reached 2,442 tons, an increase of 1,022.25 tons compared to 2024. Total grain food crop output is estimated at 289,646.16 tons, an increase of 0.91%. The forest coverage rate increased to 45.5%, exceeding the planned target.

The most prominent feature of the Agriculture sector in 2025 is that the productivity and quality of many key crops improved significantly. Coffee, macadamia, and high-quality rice all increased output. Chain-linked production models continued to be effective, helping farmers feel secure in investing. At the same time, the agriculture sector also promoted digital transformation in production management and traceability, creating conditions for Điện Biên agricultural products to expand the market. Promoting achieved results, in 2026, the Agriculture sector will focus on increasing the value of raw material areas, expanding industrial crop production areas, focusing on transforming crop structure, safe and organic production, and promoting scientific - technological application to increase sustainable income for farmers.

While agriculture is the pillar of the economy, tourism created a breakthrough, affirming Điện Biên’s attraction. 2025 continued to be a vibrant year for the tourism industry as the province welcomed 1.45 million visitor arrivals, with total revenue reaching VND 2,400 billion. Many new tourism products were put into operation, especially community tourism products associated with ethnic cultural identity and the chain of experience tours about the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield. Accommodation infrastructure in the province is increasingly improved, and service quality is continuously raised.

The whole province currently has 251 tourist accommodation establishments with 3,306 rooms and 6,443 beds; including 39 hotels, 152 guesthouses, 18 guest houses, and 42 homestays, meeting tourists’ needs well during peak seasons as well as major events. Mường Thanh Luxury Điện Biên Hotel - the first 5-star hotel in the province coming into operation marked an important step in improving service quality and attracting the high-end customer segment. Additionally, the flourishing of tourism supported strong growth for trade, accommodation, and transport industries. The service sector maintained a fairly good growth rate: Total retail sales of goods and service revenue reached VND 28,310.5 billion, an increase of 11.61% compared to the previous year.

Commenting on this result, Nguyễn Minh Phú, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said: “Điện Biên tourism in 2025 had impressive growth thanks to a combination of many factors: Attractive new products, improved service infrastructure, and more methodically organized promotion activities. The tourism service industry strengthened regional linkages, connecting tours and routes, helping both domestic and international visitor numbers increase. In the coming time, the province will continue to upgrade the destination system, encourage enterprises to invest in high-end services and smart tourism development, aiming to make tourism an important economic sector of the province.”

Reality shows that in 2025, Điện Biên’s economy continued to record growth momentum. Total social development investment capital is estimated at VND 17,550 billion, an increase of 1.33% compared to the previous year; in which the non-state sector played a key role with a proportion of 61.53%, an increase of 14.22%. This shows that social resources are promoting efficiency, contributing significantly to the province’s overall growth. Parallel to that, the Tax sector implemented many synchronous solutions: Modernizing management, expanding the use of electronic invoices, strengthening anti-loss measures, and flexible administration closely following actual developments. Thanks to that, budget revenue in 2025 reached VND 2,409.95 billion, an increase of up to 39.09% compared to 2024, far exceeding the Central estimate and being the highest increase in many recent years. Promoting that result, in 2026, the province aims to continue improving the business environment, supporting startups, and promoting digital technology application in tax management to maintain a stable and sustainable growth foundation.

Besides, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in 2025 is estimated to increase by 10.35%. During the year, the province put into operation 3 new hydropower plants with a total capacity of 47.5MW, contributing to raising the rate of households using grid electricity to 96.2% and expanding electricity supply capacity for production.

Administrative reform continued to be a bright spot as the PAR Index in 2024 reached 88.23/100 points - the highest in the province’s history. The arrangement of district and commune-level administrative units according to the 2-level government model was basically completed, creating conditions to streamline the apparatus. Digital transformation was deployed strongly on all three pillars: Digital economy, digital society, and digital government. The digital economy contributed over 14% of GRDP; telecommunications infrastructure was upgraded, 100% of commune centers have fiber optics; online public services expanded, contributing to reducing time and costs for people and businesses.

Social security was ensured, and people’s lives were improved. In 2025, the whole province created jobs for about 9,400 workers; completed support for 7,365 houses for poor households with a total budget of over VND 402 billion. The provincial poor household rate decreased to 17.66%, a decrease of 3.63 points compared to 2024. In education, the high school graduation rate reached 99.82% - the highest in 10 years. National defense and security continued to be maintained; social order and safety were basically stable.

Overall assessment, 2025 was a successful year for Điện Biên province, with many indicators meeting and exceeding the plan. Stable economic growth, economic structure shifting in the right direction, high budget revenue increase, agriculture - tourism - industry all made clear progress. With this important foundation, for 2026 and the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2026 - 2030, Điện Biên province aims to continue innovating growth models, promoting digital transformation, developing high-tech agriculture, improving tourism quality, and attracting private investment to create new breakthroughs in socio-economic development. With the determination of the government and the consensus of the people, Điện Biên is gradually realizing the aspiration to become a dynamically developing, potential-rich, and sustainable locality in the Northwestern region.