The substantial workload requires stringent quality and timely completion for submission to competent authorities. Currently, the province has basically completed drafting the Proposal for reorganizing commune-level administrative units and is preparing to gather opinions from relevant agencies, units, authorities, and the public.

Administrative restructuring is considered necessary for a streamlined and more effective political system. Nậm Pồ district has completed merging and streamlining several district-level units. Soon, as district-level units will cease to exist, many officials and civil servants in Nậm Pồ inevitably have concerns. Nevertheless, this workforce remains committed to diligently performing their duties until official decisions are made.

Phạm Thị Thu Yến, Deputy Head of the Nậm Pồ district’s Agriculture and Environment Sub-department, said: “For me, the upcoming district-level restructuring will enhance political organization and socio-economic development more effectively. Despite the recent merger, I continue to carry out the key tasks set for 2025 with determination to complete my responsibilities until the restructuring officially occurs.”

In Pá Mỳ commune, Mường Nhé district, local officials also express strong support for the restructuring policy. However, alongside their consensus, many officials naturally harbor personal concerns and uncertainties.

Kháng A Ly, Chairman of the Pá Mỳ commune People’s Committee, shared: “Our commune currently has 20 officials and civil servants, mostly holding university degrees. We fully support the higher-level directives for the common good. However, we remain concerned about organizational stability, our career paths, and future assignments. After communes merge, how surplus personnel will be arranged suitably for the new circumstances is a question. We wish to continue contributing effectively to local development.”

Mường Luân commune in Điện Biên Đông district also supports the restructuring policy. Nevertheless, concerns persist. Lò Văn Mai, Chairman of the Mường Luân commune People’s Committee, stated: “Currently, our commune has 19 civil servants, with one holding intermediate qualifications and the rest holding university degrees. Many officials hope to be reassigned appropriately based on their capabilities. Given our commune’s vast area, complicated terrain, transportation difficulties, and high poverty rates, merging will significantly expand the administrative area, presenting challenges for leadership and management. Officials traveling to remote areas to implement policies will face more hardship, and residents from distant villages will experience more inconvenience in accessing administrative services. We hope the higher authorities thoroughly survey and carefully consider geographical, demographic, cultural, and security aspects of remote communes to develop suitable, stable, and developmental solutions.”

In Điện Biên Phủ city, the plan to restructure administrative units by merging communes and wards with insufficient population and area standards also attracts attention. Current officials, retirees, and workers all agree restructuring is necessary. Smaller wards with limited populations currently lead to resource waste. Merging will facilitate centralized management, improved urban planning, and higher quality public services. Despite their consensus, residents have accompanying concerns.

Đặng Thu Hà from Residential Group 6, Tân Thanh ward (Điện Biên Phủ city), said: “We support restructuring, but we’re worried about updating identity cards, birth certificates, property documents, and insurance if our ward merges and changes its name. Will we have to redo all these documents, and will the process be time-consuming and costly? We hope clear guidelines will be provided to facilitate residents’ smooth and swift document updates, minimizing inconvenience.”

While restructuring administrative units is a sound policy receiving broad support, its effective implementation requires a scientific, detailed roadmap based on thorough surveys and assessments, especially for communes in remote, highland, and border areas. Most importantly, proactive public awareness campaigns must clearly explain objectives, significance, timelines, and resolutions for arising issues directly affecting residents.