A few years ago, the concept of a “digital economy” was quite foreign to most rural and mountainous residents in the province. However, thanks to the active involvement of local authorities, political-social organizations, and telecommunications enterprises, many farmers have gradually become familiar with using smartphones for online sales, electronic payments, accessing market information, and promoting local products.

Training and awareness programs on digital transformation have been organized in villages and hamlets. Local officials and youth members are tasked with directly teaching people how to create accounts on e-commerce platforms like Postmart, Zalo, Facebook, etc. As a result, agricultural products such as rice, mac khén (a local spice), smoked buffalo meat, and honey have reached wider markets outside the province, increasing income for local people.

The Điện Biên Honey Cooperative (Sam Mứn commune, Điện Biên district) is a prime example of the effectiveness of digital transformation in developing the rural economy. With an annual output of more than 70 tons of raw honey, the cooperative used to mainly sell through traditional channels like local markets, agents, or retail in the province. Since being introduced to e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, and applying QR codes for traceability, the cooperative’s honey has accessed many markets outside the province, including major cities like Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, and Hồ Chí Minh City.

Today, many people are using e-wallets and bank accounts to pay for electricity, water, tuition fees, or to receive social welfare support. This marks an important foundation for Điện Biên to build a sustainable and comprehensive digital economy. With an organized and locally appropriate approach, many households have recognized the positive changes that the digital economy brings.

So far, 94.4% of households have been notified of their digital addresses; 70% of the population owns smartphones; over 50% have electronic payment accounts, with various payment methods such as card payments, internet banking, and mobile banking. The rate of people using the Điện Biên Smart app, VNeID, and various services (electronic health records, criminal records, feedback suggestions, housing registration, integrating documents like health insurance cards and driving licenses) is increasing. The province has helped citizens activate 97.35% of their electronic identification accounts. Cashless payment systems have been widely implemented, with 100% of social welfare recipients having bank accounts, and 100% of schools and parents using accounts for tuition fees and other payments.

Although there have been many positive results, there are still several challenges in developing the digital economy in the province. Telecommunications infrastructure in some areas is limited, the smartphone ownership rate is still low, with 30% of the population still lacking smartphones; 84 villages do not have telecommunications services, and 261 villages do not have fixed broadband internet. A portion of the population is still hesitant and not proactive in using online public services.

The effective use of digital platforms to enhance living standards has been developing in recent years. However, for many ethnic minorities in the highlands, this is still just the beginning. To address these challenges, the province has decided to continue investing in digital infrastructure, expanding internet coverage, improving digital skills training for the population, and creating mechanisms to encourage businesses to support the community. Many practical "hands-on" training programs will be organized, with a focus on women and the elderly; and exemplary digital households will be developed.

Developing the rural digital economy and digital households is not only an inevitable trend but also a practical path for the people of Điện Biên to improve their income and quality of life. When each person in the highlands knows how to leverage technology, and local specialties are digitized and connected to wider markets, it will bring substantial benefits both economically and socially.