According to data from the provincial Department of industry and trade, Điện Biên currently has 41 active markets, all within designated planning zones. These markets primarily serve as retail outlets for consumer goods to meet local demand, and 100% are publicly funded. All markets operate as traditional local markets. In terms of classification, the province has 3 grade-II markets and 38 grade-III ones.

In recent years, the province has made significant strides in market development and management, helping to boost production, trade, and service expansion. In 2024, two newly built markets were completed and put into operation: Búng Lao central market (Mường Ảng district), built on a 5,000m2 plot with a local budget of VND 7 billion; and Pu Nhi market (Điện Biên Đông district), funded with VND 1 billion from the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. The province is also finalizing the construction of the Mường Thanh trade and service market, with an investment of over VND 193 billion sourced from non-State funds.

The central market No.1 is one of 10 markets in Điện Biên Phủ city. According to Hoàng Thị Lan from the market’s management board, the market currently houses 100 households that both reside and run businesses on-site. It serves as a key economic driver for the area. In addition to traditional retail, the central market No.1 has introduced a “Market 4.0” model, aiming to modernize commerce and improve transaction efficiency.

Tủa Chùa, a remote highland district, currently has four grade-III markets that primarily operate on scheduled market days. These markets attract vendors from lowland areas who bring essential goods such as clothing and household items to meet local demand.

Mùa A Di, a resident of Xá Nhè commune (Tủa Chùa district), shared: “In the past, goods were scarce, and it was hard to find basic necessities. In recent years, Xá Nhè market fair has grown, saving us trips to the district center and giving us a place to sell our own produce for extra income”.

The market network in the province continues to expand both in scale and quality. Infrastructure is being upgraded, and new markets are being built, contributing to narrowing the socio-economic gap between urban and rural areas, as well as between lowland and remote mountainous regions.

Rural markets are a mandatory criterion in the national new rural development program. As a result, most localities have included market development in their planning. However, in reality, many markets are underutilized or ineffective. Some have been built in unsuitable locations, lack synchronized infrastructure, or were developed without adequate surveys of local buying habits and needs.

For example, the central market C13 in Thanh Trường ward (Điện Biên Phủ city), part of the phase II “Upgrading and construction of C13 market” project, received more than VND 13 billion in public investment. Completed in December 2023 and handed over for operation in April 2024, the market includes 120 indoor stalls and a 420m2 outdoor area. Yet to date, only around 10 stalls have been leased, leaving many kiosks vacant.

Similarly, Mường Phăng market in Mường Phăng commune (Điện Biên Phủ city), built on a 1,470m2 plot with a total investment of nearly VND 3 billion and opened in October 2023, has seen very low activity, with few buyers and sellers, and many kiosks remaining empty.

Several factors contribute to the poor performance of some newly built markets. Unauthorized street markets continue to thrive, with vendors occupying sidewalks and roadways, while local authorities sometimes fail to enforce regulations. In many cases, the market models do not match the community’s actual needs. The central market C13, for instance, was built as a commercial-service complex, resulting in high rental costs, while local purchasing power remains modest-leading to unviable business conditions.

To improve the effectiveness of the rural market system, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade is working with relevant agencies and local governments to assess real demand in each locality. Priority is being given to upgrading markets that are operating effectively but are either degraded or overcrowded, as well as building new ones in high-demand residential areas. Investment phases are being planned for each market, serving as a basis for budget allocation or mobilizing private capital.

Local governments must also implement effective market management practices to avoid waste of resources and eliminate temporary and unauthorized markets that cause disorder and environmental pollution. Additionally, transitioning to more flexible and appropriate market management models is essential for business viability and local socio-economic development.

Market planning should be accompanied by realistic forecasts of buyer and seller volume. Authorities are encouraged to attract private sector investment in community markets in rural areas, ensuring convenience and accessibility for residents in goods circulation.