On weekends, Vincom Plaza Điện Biên Phủ Shopping Mall is always bustling with shoppers. One noticeable change is that most stores have replaced plastic bags with paper and cloth bags. Many retailers have also prioritized environmentally friendly products, such as organic cosmetics and clothing made from natural fibers.

While green packaging was once mainly associated with a handful of major brands, it is now being embraced by an increasing number of businesses. This shift is driven by the need to reduce plastic waste while also responding to changing consumer preferences, as more customers are paying attention to product origins, production processes and packaging materials.

Phạm Thị Bình, manager of Vincom Plaza Điện Biên Phủ Shopping Mall, said that plastic bottles, beverage cans, cardboard boxes and milk cartons are collected separately within the mall for recycling. This approach helps foster the habit of sorting waste at source, rather than sending all waste for centralized treatment as was previously the case.

As more customers prioritize environmentally friendly products and services, businesses are under growing pressure to adapt in order to retain them. Green transformation, therefore, is no longer simply a campaign or movement; it has become a factor in business competitiveness.

Alongside efforts to reduce plastic waste, the growing use of clean and renewable energy is opening up new opportunities for households and businesses across the province. According to Điện Biên Power Company, as of the end of June 2026, 136 customers across the province had installed rooftop solar power systems, with a combined capacity of approximately 1.848 MWp. The widespread adoption of solar power systems by production and business establishments shows that awareness of the green transition is becoming increasingly closely linked to economic efficiency.

According to Hoàng Minh Hiệp, a design engineer at the Điện Biên Branch of Viettel Construction, a provider and installer of rooftop solar power systems, the use of renewable energy in Điện Biên is expected to grow strongly. The installation and use of solar power are forecast to continue increasing in the coming period, particularly among households and businesses with high electricity demand. Therefore, the company is not only providing technical solutions but is also actively coordinating with the electricity sector to promote public awareness and support residents throughout the transition, while ensuring that safety requirements are met.

Alongside clean energy, green transport is also becoming a preferred choice in Điện Biên province. Electric motorbikes and electric cars are increasingly visible not only in urban areas but also in communes and wards across the province. Statistics show that the province currently has nearly 600 electric cars and more than 4,100 electric motorbikes. Three of the province’s eight taxi companies have switched to electric vehicles, operating nearly 200 electric cars.

Đinh Ngọc Toàn, a driver for Green Điện Biên Taxi, said that besides the benefits of lower operating costs, he decided to switch to an electric vehicle because he wanted to reduce emissions into the environment. The expansion of charging stations has also made electric vehicles more convenient to use.

In reality, the green transition is a long-term process that requires concerted efforts from the government, businesses and the public. When policies are implemented in a coordinated manner and communities proactively change their behavior, from consumption and production to energy use and transportation, the green transition will no longer be merely a slogan but will become a foundation for the sustainable development of Điện Biên province in the years ahead.