Trần Tiến Dũng, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Head of the provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation, requested all administrative tiers, sectors, and localities to tie each assignment to specific responsibilities and clear completion deadlines to elevate implementation effectiveness.

In the third quarter, Điện Biên’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) expanded by 11.67%. To fulfill the annual target of an 11.02% increase, the province is striving for a 13.97% expansion in the fourth quarter. Robust momentum across the services sector and the acceleration of eligible construction projects promise to provide added drive for fourth-quarter growth.

At the 18th Conference of the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee on October 2, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trần Tiến Dũng emphasized the imperative to improve organizational execution: Every single task must designate a specific person in charge, clear accountability, and a firm completion timeline, eradicating tendencies of evading or shifting duties. Regarding growth, the Secretary of the provincial Party Committee demanded innovative approaches, prioritizing manufacturing and processing industries, trade, services, and tourism. Alongside speeding up public investment projects - especially key infrastructure works - it is essential to step up the attraction of off-budget capital, FDI, and capable strategic investors to expand the economic scale.

In managing affairs over the closing months of the year, on October 6, the provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No.8888/KH-UBND on continuing the implementation of Conclusion No.121-KL/TU of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee. The plan updates growth targets for each sector while requiring clear identification of root causes behind delayed tasks, responsible handling entities, and deadlines for completion.

Services sector retains growth headroom

The services sector possesses strong momentum to tap deeper into market demand. In the third quarter, this sector grew by 11.54%; accommodation and catering services surged by 15.34%, while transportation and warehousing rose by 14.91%. Activities tied to travel, trade, and consumer spending flourished in unison. A series of year-end events constitutes prime headroom that the province can leverage to strive for a 16.37% increase in the services sector during the fourth quarter.

Under current plans, the Điện Biên International Trade Fair takes place from October 17 to 22; the International Investment Promotion Conference on October 19, connecting Điện Biên with Yunnan (China) and Luang Prabang (Laos), has so far gathered 96 registered participating units across 186 booths. Accommodation, transport, and catering providers can proactively network to serve visiting delegations, while enterprises gain added opportunities to showcase products and connect with partners. Demand for guest reception also stems from cultural and sporting activities. The 4th HHmông Ethnic Cultural Festival runs from October 9 to 11, convening 11 provinces. Towards the end of 2026, the Tiền Phong Marathon - Điện Biên Discovery 2026 under the theme “Legendary Epic” will be held. This series of activities is expected to bolster revenues across lodging, dining, transit, and retail. When event attendance is conveniently paired with sightseeing, cultural experiences, and shopping, visitors enjoy more options to lengthen their stay and utilize diverse services. For local enterprises, this represents an occasion to introduce specialties, establish partnerships, and expand markets. Such opportunities can inject added momentum into the services sector during the year-end leg and subsequent months.

Nevertheless, to translate opportunities into business results, implementation must be pushed decisively. In-charge agencies must closely track preparatory progress, resolving bottlenecks promptly; businesses should proactively coordinate in receiving guests and supplying services. The province’s requirement for concrete tour itineraries with published prices and clear service schedules must be realized swiftly, allowing travelers to choose and book services conveniently. Implementation results will be tangibly reflected in revenue, overnight stays, and enduring business relationships maintained beyond the events.

Channeling capital into projects

The requirement for public investment capital disbursement progress is demonstrated concretely across each project and construction site. According to the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee’s report on October 1, disbursement as of September 30 was estimated at over VND 3,400 billion, equivalent to 68.87% of the capital plan assigned by the Prime Minister. Nine multi-level boarding schools in border regions were commissioned ahead of the 2026-2027 school year opening; the remaining five schools are accelerating construction progress.

To ensure the construction sector achieves its fourth-quarter growth target of 16.17%, capital must go hand in hand with cleared ground and viable construction conditions. The provincial People’s Committee demanded reviewing and proposing capital reallocations from slow-disbursing projects to undertakings capable of immediate absorption. This solution proves effective when funds reach projects with complete dossiers, site clearance, and construction capacity. Disbursement progress must thus correlate directly with executed physical volume.

Such preparatory steps are currently being reviewed for Phase 1 of the Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Border Gate Expressway. In late September, a working delegation led by Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyễn Văn Thắng inspected the project in Mường Phăng; examined interchanges and spoil disposal sites in Mường Thanh and Điện Biên Phủ; reviewed resettlement areas and 110kV power line relocation in Mường Lạn; and surveyed the IC2 interchange and stone quarries in Mường Ảng. The fourth-quarter plan sets milestone targets to break ground on Component Project 1 before October 20, and Component Project 2 before December 5. Tracking schedules from the outset creates favorable conditions for execution; contributions to annual growth are firmly grounded in completed physical volume.

Preparing new momentum

Alongside transport infrastructure projects, Điện Biên is preparing expanded space for industrial production. The roughly 107ha Thanh An Industrial Park is undergoing 1/2,000-scale zoning planning. Once land and infrastructure are developed synchronously, the locality will enjoy enhanced conditions to host projects, attract enterprises, and expand manufacturing capacity. Advancing preparatory steps at this juncture holds vital significance for the coming years as well.

Opportunities to supplement investment resources also emerge from newly approved projects. Over the first eight months of 2026, Điện Biên approved investment policies for 23 projects with total registered capital exceeding VND 52,200 billion. The province attracted three FDI projects for the first time with combined registered capital of more than VND 14,000 billion, including Điện Biên Đông Wind Power Plant (Phase 1), Mường Ảng Wind Power Plant, and Envision Nậm Pồ Wind Power Plant. The next task involves assisting investors in finalizing administrative procedures and clearing land-related bottlenecks so projects can start construction early. Building and commissioning these plants will supplement industrial production capacity, generate additional employment, and yield local budget revenues.

The drive to fulfill 2026 targets is intimately linked to preparing a solid foundation for subsequent years. Tracking progress weekly and requiring daily public investment disbursement reports starting November 1 creates conditions for the province to pinpoint and address sluggish tasks promptly. From directives issued by provincial leaders and the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee down to administrative governance by the provincial People’s Committee, decisive leadership must be sustained through untangling bottlenecks, channeling capital into works, and assisting enterprises in executing projects. When these transitions bring forth expanded business opportunities, employment, and income, they will steadily build the foundation for Điện Biên in its pursuit of becoming a moderately developed province in the northern region.