The year 2026 marks a significant turning point in the province’s investment attraction efforts. At the 2026 Điện Biên Investment Promotion Conference, investors committed to and received approval for projects totaling VND 257.69 trillion. During the conference alone, provincial authorities granted investment approvals and investment registration certificates to 11 investors for 12 projects, with a combined registered capital exceeding VND 48.32 trillion. A series of projects in transportation infrastructure, urban development, tourism, energy, and agriculture are now underway, generating substantial demand for labors.

One of the largest labor-intensive projects is the Northwestern Điện Biên Phủ ward New Urban Area, Resort Tourism, and Sports Services Complex, covering 228 hectares with a total investment of more than VND 23.66 trillion. From its initial stages, the project has created demand for thousands of construction workers.

At a recruitment center operated by VinCons Construction Development and Investment Joint Stock Company in Thanh Nưa commune, an average of 70-80 applicants register for jobs each day. The company plans to recruit approximately 7,000 workers, offering monthly salaries ranging from VND 14 million to VND 41 million, depending on job position and skill level.

Demand extends beyond unskilled labor. Companies are actively seeking welders, mechanics, machinery operators, and construction technicians.

According to Nguyễn Văn Sang, Company Commander of Project Battalion 68 under VinCons, the demand for skilled workers is particularly high. “For local residents, this is an opportunity to secure stable employment without having to leave their hometowns,” he said.

Lò Thị Hồng, a resident of Mường Thanh ward, said that after joining one of the projects, she now earns approximately VND 14 million per month. “This income is significantly higher than what I earned from seasonal jobs in the past. At the same time, I can stay close to my family and take care of my children,” she explained.

Many projects in the agriculture and environmental sectors are also helping create employment opportunities for local residents. A high-tech pig farming project in Mường Pồn commune, with an investment of VND 120 billion, and a waste treatment plant in Sam Mứn commune, valued at more than VND 237 billion, are expected to provide stable employment for over 100 local workers, with projected monthly incomes ranging from VND 13 million to VND 17 million.

Tourism is also emerging as a promising source of employment. The Điện Biên Phủ Historical and Cultural Tourism Cable Car Complex, developed by Sun Group, has recently broken ground and is expected to generate significant demand for local labor.

At the same time, numerous integrated school construction projects are underway throughout the province, creating strong labor demand. In some cases, labor shortages have emerged as recruitment needs exceed available workers.

To attract employees, many employers are offering competitive salaries and favorable benefits packages, including guaranteed wage payments, workplace safety measures, adequate rest periods, and full insurance coverage.

Lò Văn Sơn, from Mường Pồn commune, shared: “I used to work as a construction worker in Hanoi. Living far from home and facing high living expenses made it difficult to save money. Since major projects have come to my hometown, I’ve returned to work locally. I now earn between VND 10 and 12 million per month and can stay close to my family, which gives me peace of mind and motivates me to stay long-term.”

The province’s job-creation potential remains substantial.

In May 2026 alone, the provincial People’s Committee approved investment policies for four projects worth more than VND 13.16 trillion. To date, 239 projects have received investment approvals or investment registration certificates across the province. Of these, 82 projects are currently under construction, representing a total registered investment of nearly VND 69.86 trillion.

Particularly noteworthy is the province’s 2026-2030 investment promotion portfolio, which includes 123 priority projects across multiple strategic sectors. Among them are: A Pa Chải Vietnam-Laos-China International Tourism Area, covering 500 hectares with an estimated investment of VND 5 trillion; Tủa Chùa Tourism Area, spanning 1,000 hectares with a projected investment of VND 5 trillion.

As these projects move forward, labor demand is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

According to official statistics, Điện Biên province currently has more than 352,000 working-age residents. Although more than 1,600 enterprises operate in the province, most are small businesses. Only around 130 enterprises employ 25 workers or more. As a result, the number of people working in the corporate sector stands at approximately 28,000, accounting for less than 10% of the province’s total workforce. This highlights the considerable untapped labor potential available for future investment projects.

While the investment wave presents unprecedented opportunities for the labor market, protecting workers’ rights and interests remains essential. As the number of enterprises and projects grows rapidly, risks such as labor disputes, labor law violations, workplace safety issues, and social insurance arrears may increase if not properly monitored.

Therefore, authorities need to strengthen inspections and oversight of labor law compliance, ensuring that workers receive formal labor contracts, participate fully in social, health, and unemployment insurance programs, and enjoy all benefits stipulated by law.

Businesses, meanwhile, should focus on creating safe and professional working environments, fully implementing salary, bonus, and welfare policies, and providing skills training to help workers improve their qualifications and career prospects.

The current investment wave is creating tens of thousands of new jobs for local residents. However, for these opportunities to deliver lasting benefits, worker protection must go hand in hand with investment attraction.

Only when employees work in safe environments, enjoy full legal protections, and earn stable incomes can new investment projects truly become a sustainable driving force for the socio-economic development of Điện Biên province.