Completing these plans will not only shape the future development of both urban and rural areas but also create new opportunities for investment, unlock the unique potential of each locality, and provide fresh momentum for sustainable socio-economic growth in the years ahead.

The master plans for communes and wards will translate the objectives of the provincial master plan into practical development strategies while aligning closely with the national new rural development program, urban development initiatives, and the comparative advantages of individual localities. The Department of Construction has instructed local authorities to review and expedite the preparation of these master plans. Throughout the process, the Planning Center under the Department has worked closely with relevant agencies and local governments to collect data and incorporate recommendations from technical experts. As a result, planning proposals have been refined to ensure feasibility, practical relevance, and full compliance with legal regulations.

According to the Điện Biên Phủ - Mường Thanh Inter-Ward Urban Master Plan, the planned urban area covers approximately 84.55 square kilometers, with a planning horizon extending to 2050. The plan aims to develop Điện Biên Phủ - Mường Thanh into a grade II city, serving as the province’s political, administrative, economic, and cultural center while evolving into a distinctive service- and tourism-oriented city that showcases the unique history, culture, and landscapes of Vietnam’s Northwest. The project is expected to become a key driver of economic growth and investment attraction.

Under the proposed framework, the urban area will follow a “One core - Two corridors - One ecological belt” development model, with the historic city center serving as its nucleus. The urban space will be organized into four functional zones: the historic core, new urban districts, service and tourism areas, and industrial zones integrated with ecological conservation and natural landscapes. The population is projected to reach approximately 100,000 by 2035 and 150,000 by 2050, while annual tourist arrivals are expected to increase to between 1.5 and 2 million. Alongside urban expansion and the growth of service and tourism sectors, the plan also calls for synchronized investment in technical and social infrastructure, the development of new urban areas, administrative centers, and industrial parks, while preserving the outstanding heritage values of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield Historic Site and the iconic Mường Thanh rice valley.

To accelerate the completion of these plans, the provincial People’s Committee has held a series of meetings to review and provide feedback on master plans for communes and wards across the province. On June 17, for example, the committee convened a consultation meeting on the master plans for Mường Phăng, Mường Chà, Tuần Giáo (with planning horizons to 2045), and Mường Lay ward (to 2050). During these meetings, government agencies and local authorities discussed development orientations tailored to local conditions, ensuring that each locality would have its own distinctive development space while maximizing its comparative strengths.

According to the draft master plan, Tuần Giáo commune aims to meet the criteria for a grade III urban area by 2030, becoming the economic hub of the eastern region of the province. Development priorities include green, smart, and sustainable agriculture linked to concentrated commodity production zones, processing industries, tourism, services, and digital transformation. At the same time, the commune will prioritize synchronized investment in transport infrastructure, electricity and water supply systems, disaster prevention, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation, thereby establishing a strong legal framework for land management and investment attraction.

Quàng Văn Cương, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tuần Giáo commune underlined: “Developing a comprehensive master plan not only provides a foundation for effectively utilizing local resources and advantages but also serves as an important basis for land management, resource mobilization, and investment allocation. Once the plan is approved, the commune will focus on implementing key development projects, building integrated infrastructure, improving urban quality, and gradually meeting the standards of a grade III urban area, with the long-term goal of transforming Tuần Giáo into a dynamic development center in the eastern part of the province.”

Throughout the planning process, provincial authorities have placed particular emphasis on consulting specialized agencies, grassroots governments, and local communities to ensure that every master plan reflects practical needs and builds public consensus from the outset. Feedback collected during the consultation process has been carefully reviewed and incorporated into revised planning proposals, taking into account natural conditions, current land use, local customs, and the long-term development orientation of each locality.

To ensure the quality of planning documents before submission for official approval, the Department of Construction has requested consulting firms to review, update, and refine their proposals so that they better reflect local realities and are more practical and implementable. The objective is to transform these master plans into effective strategic tools that maximize each locality’s unique strengths while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth in the years ahead.

To date, the province has approved all 44 planning mandates for communes and wards, providing the legal basis for local authorities to proceed with preparing detailed master plans according to schedule. Public consultations on these plans are currently underway. Once completed, the integrated planning framework will strengthen the province’s capacity to mobilize investment resources, implement major development projects, improve residents’ quality of life, and gradually realize its goal of achieving rapid and sustainable development.