Practical grassroots experience shows that when people proactively change methods, boldly invest, and choose suitable production directions; while Party committees and authorities stay close to the ground to capture needs, provide guidance, and offer timely support, local resources are effectively unleashed, creating added drive for rural economic development.

In Noong Nhai village, Mường Thanh ward, Nguyễn Thị An converted nearly 2,000 m² of wet rice cultivation land to grow commercial luffa. She proactively invested in a water-saving irrigation system and used organic fertilizers along with biological preparations throughout the cultivation process.

The success of Nguyễn Thị An’s household model demonstrates that selecting appropriate crops, applying correct techniques, and understanding market demand generate higher income on the same land area. “Previously, growing wet rice yielded only 600-700 kg of paddy, earning around VND 1.2 million. Recently, I harvested and sold luffa at VND 12,000/kg, earning tens of millions of VND per 1,000 m², many times higher than growing rice,” Nguyễn Thị An excitedly shared.

While residents in Mường Thanh ward boldly convert crop patterns to improve economic returns per unit of land, in the border commune of Na Sang, favorable climatic and soil conditions are being tapped by local people to develop pineapple cultivation. Well-suited to sloping terrain, pineapple plants are intercropped beneath rubber canopies, progressively expanding acreage and establishing concentrated commercial production zones.

In Na Sang village, the household of Quàng Văn Việt was among the first to boldly convert their entire 4 ha of hillside fields - previously planted with low-yield cassava and maize - to pineapple farming. Thanks to actively learning experience and care techniques, his family’s average yield reaches approximately 40 tons/ha, generating a net profit of VND 200-250 million/ha after deducting expenses, depending on harvest timing. The efficiency of his economic model inspired confidence among many households in the village to learn and follow suit. “Having accumulated experience over many years, I actively guide fellow villagers in pineapple cultivation to improve household income. Some families visited the model, saw the profitability of growing pineapples, and proactively invested in seeds and seedlings to plant,” Quàng Văn Việt stated.

Na Sang currently possesses 378 ha of pineapples, of which around 110 ha are under harvest; aiming to expand the area to about 500 ha by 2030. Alongside pineapples, the commune formulated plans to develop ancient Shan Tuyết tea, coffee, and macadamia based on each area’s distinct advantages. Thereby, it progressively forms cultivation zones tailored to land conditions, capable of creating value and satisfying market demands.

To facilitate economic development for local people, the administration of Na Sang commune provides timely partnership and support regarding seed supply, capital, technical guidance, and production organization. Trần Hồng Quân, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Na Sang commune, remarked: “The local government provides orientation, technical support, and policies; residents proactively select suitable crops for investment. Effective models are encouraged to be replicated. Well-performing households with high earnings become learning destinations for other families to visit and emulate.”

Proactive public participation is noticeably transforming Điện Biên’s rural landscape. Through communication and mobilization efforts by socio-political organizations, people across the province have voluntarily donated over 224,000 m² of land, contributed more than 69,000 workdays, and provided over VND 9.2 billion to construct public welfare projects. For example, in Ma Lù Thàng village, Mường Tùng commune, a concrete road nearly 10 km long and 3.5 m wide was built through local land donations and labor contributions.

Điện Biên comprises 45 communes and wards with 888 villages and residential groups. The province targets having 5 communes (Thanh Nưa, Thanh An, Mường Phăng, Mường Ảng, Tuần Giáo) and 93 villages across 40 communes and wards meet new rural standards by the end of 2026, under the criteria set for the 2026-2030 period. In rural areas, average per capita income is targeted to reach VND 41.38 million/year; the multidimensional poverty rate is set to decrease by 3% compared to 2025. The province strives to develop 70 new OCOP products, bringing the total to 227 products; establishing and consolidating concentrated production zones, value chain linkage models, and collective economy...

According to Lò Hồng Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment: “The Government has a policy to integrate and merge National Target Programs. On that basis, the Department will actively advise the provincial People’s Committee on practical solutions and implementation plans for the 2026-2030 period. State resources are essential, but ‘the people’s strength’ remains the decisive factor for sustainability. When residents achieve consensus and voluntarily participate from planning and contributing to supervising and benefiting, quality, efficiency, and sustainability are ensured.”

Practical experience reveals that New-style rural area building achieves lasting change only when people genuinely act as the central subjects. Each family proactively selects production directions, calculates economic efficiency, boosts income, and contributes to the community; while Party committees and local authorities remain close to the grassroots to provide suitable orientations and timely assistance. From that shared consensus and joint effort, new rural criteria are progressively realized through tangible improvements in daily life, bringing fresh vitality to the countryside.