Improving livelihoods

Between 2021 and 2025, Điện Biên province has flexibly applied policies and effectively mobilized funding to support production, job transition, housing, and clean water facilities, aiming to improve the living standards of residents in highland and border communes.

Over the past five years, more than 2,100 poor households have received new, spacious homes; 2,432 households have been assisted in changing occupations; 22,465 households have gained access to decentralized clean water systems; and 46 centralized water supply projects have been built, at a total cost of over VND 322 billion.

Standing proudly in his new home, Thào A Tính from Tàng Phon village, Nậm Kè commune, said: “Having a sturdy house has always been our family’s dream. In 2025, thanks to government support, we finally built a new one. Now, we can focus on working and developing our economy to escape poverty.”

Alongside stable housing, hundreds of livelihood projects have helped villagers “settle and prosper” on their homeland. From 2021 to 2025, the province implemented 898 projects worth over VND 770 billion, supporting residents to shift crops and livestock and develop value chain-based production.

In Chiềng Sinh commune, projects promoting macadamia and coffee cultivation have proven effective. Macadamia and coffee trees now thrive where low-yield corn and rice once grew. By the end of 2025, the commune had 579 hectares of macadamia and 11.7 hectares of coffee under cultivation.

Cà Văn Hoài from Co Đứa village shared: “Following the commune’s crop conversion policy, I joined the production linkage project and converted two hectares of unproductive land to macadamia. The trees are growing very well.”

Đỗ Văn Sơn, Chairman of Chiềng Sinh commune People’s Committee, said:  “In the coming period, we will continue to expand macadamia and coffee cultivation while focusing on caring for existing areas to ensure the highest productivity. This will create momentum for local agricultural development.”

Infrastructure opens the way to growth

From the start of the current term, Điện Biên province identified infrastructure investment as a key driver of socio-economic growth in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Since 2021, the province has allocated more than VND 20.29 trillion to build, upgrade, and repair 1,129 projects in transportation, irrigation, electricity, water supply, healthcare, and education.

With the motto “transportation leads the way”, road infrastructure has been prioritized, accounting for about 20.8% of local budget spending and 43.5% of central funding during 2021- 2025. As a result, over the past five years, 625 kilometers of rural roads have been built, upgraded, or newly opened, creating a more connected network between communes and linking remote villages with commune centers.

Major transport projects such as the 60-meter-wide road in Điện Biên Phủ ward, the Tủa Chùa - Sính Phình - Tả Phìn route (former Tủa Chùa district), the Phình Sáng - Mường Giàng route (former Tuần Giáo district), and the provincial road 143 connecting Noong Bua - Pu Nhi - Noong U - Na Son (former Điện Biên Đông district) have already transformed the region’s landscape.

Sùng A Lềnh from Tà Là Cáo village, Sính Phình commune, said: “Since the Tủa Chùa - Sính Phình - Tả Phìn road was upgraded, our lives have changed a lot. Goods are easier to transport, children can go to school more conveniently, and traders come directly to the village to buy farm produce. Before, the road was narrow and rough, especially during the rainy season. Now we can travel easily all year round.”

Irrigation infrastructure has also received strong investment, with major works such as Nậm Khẩu Hu, Nậm Pố, Ẳng Cang and Huổi Trạng Tai reservoirs, and the Nậm Ngám - Pu Nhi canal system. These projects ensure water security, irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland, and help stabilize local livelihoods.

Currently, Điện Biên province is implementing the “Bringing light to Điện Biên” program, extending the national grid to remote villages to bring electricity to more households. By the end of 2025, 96.2% of households are expected to have access to the national power grid. Schools, clinics, and cultural centers have been newly built or renovated, giving students better learning conditions, improving healthcare access, and enriching community cultural and sports activities.

After five years of implementing Resolution No. 17-NQ/TU, Điện Biên’s ethnic minority and mountainous areas have undergone a comprehensive transformation. Infrastructure is now more modern and connected, people’s material and spiritual lives have improved markedly, poverty rates have dropped rapidly, and regional disparities are gradually narrowing.

Today, the newly paved roads, sturdy homes, and bright smiles across highland villages stand as vivid proof of this ongoing transformation. Going forward, Điện Biên province will continue to prioritize improving residents’ livelihoods, considering it both the foundation and driving force for ethnic minority communities to strive for a prosperous, happy life.