Since the beginning of 2026, Điện Biên province has experienced 23 natural disaster events, resulting in one death and six injuries. Nearly 700 houses were affected, almost 880 hectares of crops were damaged, and total losses were estimated at approximately VND 44.6 billion. These figures demonstrate that natural disasters remain unpredictable, requiring the preparation of goods supplies to be carried out proactively and systematically to ensure people’s livelihoods, especially in areas that are frequently at risk of isolation.

Implementing directives from the provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade has developed plans to balance supply and demand and has instructed businesses, supermarkets, commercial centers, convenience stores, and distributors throughout the province to increase their reserve stocks. Essential commodities such as rice, instant noodles, bottled drinking water, cooking oil, fish sauce, salt, sugar, milk, canned foods, liquefied petroleum gas, and other daily necessities have been adequately prepared and are ready for distribution whenever demand surges or emergency situations arise.

To ensure that reserve supplies can reach residents promptly under any circumstances, the province has also focused on strengthening and maximizing the effectiveness of its distribution network. Currently, the province has 41 operating traditional markets, three commercial centers, three Class III supermarkets, one Winmart chain with 10 outlets, 14 convenience stores, and 38 specialty stores. These serve as important distribution channels, enabling goods to circulate widely and ensuring residents can access essential commodities even during the rainy and flood season.

At traditional markets, vendors proactively increase stocks of food, groceries, and essential household items to meet consumers’ needs. At Nà Tấu Market, traders have expanded their inventories since the beginning of the rainy season. Nguyễn Thị Lan, a grocery vendor at the market, said: “During the rainy and flood season, we always prepare additional essential items such as rice, instant noodles, bottled water, cooking oil, and daily necessities. Whenever there are forecasts of prolonged heavy rain or landslide risks, we further increase our reserves to ensure local residents can still purchase the goods they need.”

Meanwhile, supermarkets, commercial centers, and distribution enterprises continue transporting goods to agents and retail outlets, helping prevent supply disruptions. For example, Hoa Ba Supermarket currently maintains an inventory of more than 30,000 product lines, ranging from food and groceries to household goods and personal care products. The supermarket proactively coordinates with suppliers to ensure stable supplies while increasing stocks of products with high seasonal demand, enabling it to respond promptly to sudden increases in purchasing demand and preventing shortages or unreasonable price hikes.

Regarding fuel products, petroleum businesses throughout the province have proactively developed stockpiling plans to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply under all circumstances. At present, all 36 fuel stations operated by Điện Biên Petroleum Company maintain fuel reserves and are ready to serve residents as well as production and business activities across the province.

Trương Quang Ngãi, Manager of Fuel Station No.4 under Điện Biên Petroleum Company, shared: “Our station maintains fuel inventories in accordance with storage regulations to ensure a stable supply for the market. We also regularly coordinate with suppliers to develop appropriate procurement plans and proactively increase reserves whenever forecasts indicate flooding or transportation disruptions.”

At the grassroots level, local authorities have actively implemented commodity stockpiling plans based on the principle of “four on-the-spot resources.” Communes with high risks of flash floods, landslides, or frequent isolation have reviewed residents’ consumption needs and coordinated with local businesses to arrange supplies within the locality.

In Na Son commune, which is frequently affected by heavy rainfall, preparations for goods reserves began at the start of the rainy season. The commune authorities have worked with local businesses to assess supply capacity, encouraged traders to increase stocks of food and essential commodities, and raised public awareness about preparing necessary household supplies.

Nguyễn Bá Thực, Head of the Economic Division of Na Son commune, stated: “The commune has developed plans to stock essential goods at local business establishments while encouraging residents to prepare food, clean water, and necessary supplies before the rainy and flood season. For villages that may become isolated, we continuously monitor weather developments and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure adequate supplies for residents whenever emergencies occur.”

Alongside ensuring supply availability, market surveillance forces have intensified inspections and monitoring of business activities to promptly detect and handle cases of hoarding, speculation, or taking advantage of natural disasters to raise prices. According to the provincial Market Surveillance Sub-Department, inspections to date have found no shortages of goods or unreasonable price increases for essential commodities. Monitoring activities are conducted regularly, particularly in flood-affected areas, to ensure smooth circulation of goods and adequate supplies for consumers under all circumstances.

The province is currently in the peak rainy and flood season. According to urgent dispatch No.6271/CD-UBND issued by the provincial People’s Committee on July 18, widespread heavy rainfall occurred across the province during the previous 24 hours, with many areas recording rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters. Such heavy rainfall may cause flooding in low-lying areas and urban zones, flash floods along small rivers and streams, and landslides on steep slopes.

Therefore, in addition to safeguarding people’s lives and property, ensuring the supply of essential goods remains a critical task. Early preparation of reserve stocks not only meets residents’ basic needs but also strengthens disaster response capacity, maintains social welfare, and stabilizes livelihoods throughout the rainy and flood season.