Administrative reform in Điện Biên has not begun with grand slogans, but first and foremost with a shift in mindset. Moving away from an approach focused on management and control, the administrative apparatus has steadily transitioned toward a service-oriented philosophy that places citizens and businesses at the center. Each official not only performs assigned duties but also represents the image of the Government, serving as a direct bridge between the State and the people. This change in perception is fundamental, because only when a service mindset permeates every stage and position can reforms in institutions, organization or procedures truly be effective.

Thoroughly implementing the Central Government’s guidelines on building a modern, professional, effective and efficient administration, Điện Biên province has identified administrative reform as a core, cross-cutting task in leadership, direction and governance. Beyond issuing plans and action programs, the province has focused on rigorous, coordinated implementation with clear priorities. From restructuring and streamlining organizational units to reviewing, cutting and simplifying administrative procedures; from strengthening discipline and order in public service to renewing work styles and professional conduct among civil servants, each step has been geared toward the common goal of building an administration that serves the people.

The impacts of administrative reform are most evident at the grassroots level, where citizens interact directly with public authorities. In the past, in many highland communes of Điện Biên, handling administrative paperwork often meant traveling dozens of kilometers along steep mountain roads, incurring significant time and cost, and sometimes making multiple trips due to cumbersome procedures and a lack of information. Today, with the consolidation of one-stop and interlinked one-stop service units from the provincial level to the grassroots, along with expanded online public services, these barriers are gradually being removed.

At public administrative service centers, procedures are publicly posted and clearly presented; required documents and processing times are standardized; and responsibilities at each stage and for each individual are clearly defined. Officials’ service attitudes have become increasingly professional and friendly. Seemingly small changes, such as courteous reception, clear guidance on documentation, or timely return of results carry significant meaning, as they are vivid measures of the effectiveness of administrative reform.

Alongside citizens, the business community is a direct beneficiary of these changes. As procedures are simplified, processing times shortened and compliance costs reduced, enterprises are better able to focus resources on investment, production and business activities. More importantly, transparency and openness in the administrative environment help build trust - a key factor in attracting investment. For a province still facing many challenges like Điện Biên, business confidence is the “key” to unlocking social resources and enhancing local competitiveness.

A major highlight of Điện Biên’s administrative reform is the strong shift from a management mindset to a service mindset. Rather than merely completing internal processes, administrative agencies now aim higher: the satisfaction of citizens and businesses. This spirit has been translated into concrete measures, including stricter administrative discipline, greater accountability of leaders, and linking administrative reform outcomes to evaluations of collective and individual performance. Each on-time procedure, each transparent and properly handled application is not only a work result, but also a measure of responsibility and public service ethics.

Concrete figures in 2025 clearly reflect the province’s reform efforts. The provincial People’s Committee has updated and publicly disclosed 2,795 administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of authorities at all levels, while regularly supervising and inspecting the public posting of procedures at public administrative service centers and on the websites of agencies and units, ensuring full compliance with regulations. Currently, the province has 2,131 administrative procedures in effect, of which 1,831 are handled by specialized agencies under the provincial People’s Committee and 410 by commune-level People’s Committees.

Reform effectiveness is also evident in application processing results. From July 1 to December 14, 2025, specialized agencies under the provincial People’s Committee received 11,620 applications and processed 11,499, with 99.97% resolved on time or ahead of schedule. At the commune and ward level, a total of 56,944 applications were received and 54,299 processed; 99.7% were handled on time or early, with no overdue cases. These figures clearly reflect procedural improvements and demonstrate the dedication and responsibility of officials at all levels, from the province to the grassroots.

In Điện Biên’s overall development picture, administrative reform may not be the most striking feature, but it is a solid foundation supporting every achievement. A modern, transparent and effective administration helps translate policies into practice, unlock the province’s potential and strengths, and place citizens and businesses at the center. From today’s progress, there is reason to believe that administrative reform will continue to serve as a vital springboard, enabling Điện Biên to accelerate its breakthrough and achieve more sustainable development in the time ahead.