For a mountainous, border province like Điện Biên, where infrastructure remains limited and access to technology is uneven, digital transformation serves as a test of bravery, mindset, and political determination. However, starting from that very point, Điện Biên has made a breakthrough, becoming one of the localities with the fastest improvement in digital transformation nationwide.

This journey did not begin with figures or rankings but originated from a shift in awareness. From the very beginning of the 2020-2025 term, the province clearly determined that without unified awareness, digital transformation would remain just a slogan. Therefore, the work of thoroughly grasping, disseminating, and institutionalizing guidelines was considered the “path-clearing step,” creating a foundation for all subsequent actions. Notably, Resolution No.13-NQ/TU of the provincial Party Committee on digital transformation is viewed as the “compass” throughout the task implementation process, deployed methodically and spreading to every sector, locality, official, and party member.

Communication methods have undergone distinct innovations. Instead of one-way, formal transmission, localities and units have integrated digital transformation content into party cell meetings, thematic conferences, and dialogue forums with businesses and citizens. The grassroots information system, the press, and digital platforms are optimized to bring guidelines closer to real life. Consequently, awareness of digital transformation has gradually shifted, no longer being a story solely for the information technology sector but becoming a common task for the entire political system and society as a whole.

A highlight in communication is the province’s effective use of official digital media channels. The “Điện Biên Smart” digital citizen application with over 92,000 users and the “Hành chính công tỉnh Điện Biên” (Điện Biên provincial Public Administration) Zalo OA with nearly 35,000 interested followers have become trusted channels, bridging the gap between the government and the people, especially in guiding and resolving administrative procedures. The selection of October 10 annually as “Điện Biên province Digital Transformation Day” is not only symbolic but also creates a clear social effect, sparking a spirit of proactive approach to digital technology within the community.

To bring digital transformation into daily life, Điện Biên effectively promotes the role of community digital technology teams, the “extended arm” of the government at the grassroots level. With 1,400 teams spread across villages and hamlets, with a core force of officials, union members, and tech-savvy individuals, they directly guide citizens on using smartphones, electronic identification, online public services, and cashless payments. Through such persistence, many citizens have accessed the digital environment for the first time, gradually forming habits of using technology in daily life, production, and transactions, creating a foundation for a digital society that is close to the people, inclusive, and sustainable.

This approach clearly demonstrates the province’s political determination regarding digital transformation. In 2025, the province implemented several new, effective models highly appreciated by the Government, such as organizing the “AI Festival” event within the framework of the AI application communication campaign in the province themed “Điện Biên Phủ Campaign - The Journey of AI Coverage.” This included many experiential activities and training for officials, teachers, and students. Other initiatives included a smart tourism model with 3D digitization at 14 typical tourist sites and the deployment of smart cameras integrated with the IOC to serve security, order, and traffic management. These models have contributed to spreading the spirit of innovation, strengthening technology application in state management, and enhancing the experience and quality of services provided to citizens and businesses.

By the end of 2025, Điện Biên basically achieved and exceeded many important goals across all three pillars of digital transformation. In digital economy development, digital transformation has gradually become a new driver for growth. The proportion of digital economy value-added in GRDP is estimated to reach over 14%, a sharp increase compared to the 6% level in 2021 and far exceeding the set target. The number of digital technology enterprises increased from 29 to 45; the rate of enterprises performing digital transformation reached 84%, clearly reflecting the shift from awareness to action in the business community.

Regarding the digital government pillar, Điện Biên recorded outstanding results in modernizing administration. The rate of electronic documents exchanged and interlinked in the network environment reached 100%. All eligible administrative procedures are provided in the form of full-process online public services. The rate of work files processed in the network environment reached 100% at the provincial level, 95% at the district level (before implementing the 2-tier local government model), and 60% at the commune level, with many indicators exceeding the resolution’s targets. The province’s reporting information system is connected and shares data smoothly, with 100% of periodic reporting regimes serving direction and administration being carried out on the system, contributing to improving the validity and efficiency of state management and significantly reducing administrative time and costs.

Digital infrastructure continues to receive investment attention, gradually meeting development requirements in the specific conditions of a mountainous, border province. The telecommunications network has been expanded with 1,171 BTS station locations, of which 38 5G stations have been deployed; the fiber optic transmission system is 3,580km long. The percentage of households with broadband fiber optic internet reached over 60%, a sharp increase compared to 36% in 2021. The percentage of people using smartphones reached 75%, exceeding the set target.

In digital society development, digital transformation has directly impacted people’s lives. Cashless payments are becoming increasingly popular, with over 50% of the population having electronic payment accounts, a sharp increase compared to 18% in 2021. People have increasingly equal access to essential services in health, education, and social security. Digital human resource training is focused on, with 80 digital transformation experts trained and fostered, far exceeding the set target, helping to solve the “key of the key” problem, which is human resources in digital transformation.

Digital transformation has also spread strongly into specialized fields. Tourism has gradually formed a digital ecosystem with the digitization of relics, 2D and 3D virtual tours, and a smart tourism portal. The health sector has synchronously deployed management software, electronic health books integrated on VNeID with over 438,000 records, medical examination and treatment using chip-embedded citizen identity cards, and cashless payments. Education promotes digital governance, electronic school records, and digital learning material repositories. In agriculture, the application of digital technology in forest management, payment for forest environmental services, traceability, and e-commerce for OCOP products has contributed to increasing value and expanding markets for local agricultural products.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, following the implementation of Resolution No.50/NQ-CP of the Government and Resolution No.13-NQ/TU of the provincial Party Committee, digital transformation in Điện Biên has truly created a turning point. Awareness has transformed into concrete actions and measurable results. While in 2021, Điện Biên ranked 37th in digital transformation, by 2025 it ranked 9th. The strong increase in digital transformation ranking is clear proof of the province’s efforts and correct approach, placing Điện Biên in the group of localities with the fastest improvement speed in the country. More importantly, digital transformation does not merely improve rankings but is contributing daily to enhancing management efficiency, promoting economic growth, improving people’s quality of life, and creating an important foundation for Điện Biên to develop rapidly and sustainably in the new period.