Currently, the province has eight suspension bridges that are no longer in use (having been replaced by other river- and stream-crossing works) but have not yet been dismantled; one community-built bridge that is unsafe and must be immediately closed; and 108 suspension bridges still in operation, including 11 with major damage and 20 that no longer meet travel and transport needs, requiring timely replacement or repair.

Recently, during consultations on the draft Political Report for the 15th provincial Party Congress (2025-2030 term), the Ministry of Construction recommended that Điện Biên proactively research and implement road infrastructure projects under its management to enhance connectivity with neighboring provinces and major economic centers, creating momentum for socio-economic development. The Ministry also suggested supplementing the report with content on “prioritizing investment in upgrading and modernizing local roads, and in building new bridges to replace weak and aging suspension bridges in mountainous areas.”

In reality, many suspension bridges in the province were built long ago and now show signs of serious deterioration, posing safety risks for both structures and traffic, directly threatening lives. Most were designed with narrow widths (1.5-2.5 meters) and low load capacity (1.5-3 tons), making them unsuitable for today’s socio-economic needs. Many localities have proposed replacing them with permanent concrete or steel bridges to better serve travel, goods transport, production, and daily life.

Based on field surveys, the provincial Department of Construction has submitted a proposal for the investment project “Supplementary Bridge Construction and Replacement of Suspension Bridges in Điện Biên province.” The proposal envisions building new bridges at necessary points and replacing existing suspension bridges with solid bridges meeting appropriate load capacities, with an estimated 30 works in total.

According to Bùi Văn Luyện, Director of the Department of Construction: “Điện Biên is a mountainous province with complex terrain, much of it divided by rivers and streams. With the road system still incomplete, travel and trade are already difficult, especially during the rainy season. The deterioration of suspension bridges makes the situation even more dangerous. Replacing them with permanent bridges will not only ensure safety but also create conditions to boost production, facilitate goods circulation, and improve people’s lives.”

Many suspension bridges built decades ago are now seriously degraded, with weakened structures and visible damage, making them increasingly unsafe. Their limited width and low capacity no longer meet the growing demands of travel and trade, thus directly affecting people’s lives and hindering local socio-economic development.

In 2022, the Department of Transport (now the Department of Construction), in coordination with district authorities, reviewed and proposed 122 bridge projects for investment under the LRAMP-FO project with World Bank funding. However, the project has yet to be implemented. Under current conditions, urgently mobilizing resources to construct new bridges and replace suspension bridges with permanent structures is vital, ensuring safety and opening opportunities for economic and social development.

Nguyễn Trọng Huế, Chairman of the Mường Luân commune People’s Committee, explained: “Several suspension bridges here were built long ago and are now severely degraded, posing grave risks to residents crossing them. In the rainy season, the danger increases, making it very hard for households and students to travel, and agricultural transport is also disrupted. If permanent bridges are built to replace these suspension bridges, both local authorities and people will be delighted, because sturdy bridges guarantee safety, meet travel and transport needs, and promote local socio-economic development.”

Thus, beyond the immediate requirement of ensuring traffic safety, investing in permanent bridges to replace aging suspension bridges has become a long-term mission to complete the rural transport infrastructure system. With new bridges in place, residents will travel and trade more securely and conveniently, boosting production and improving living standards, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic growth.