The provincial economy maintained a robust average annual growth rate of 8.76%, higher than the average for the northern midland and mountainous region. By 2025, its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is expected to reach VND 17.235 trillion, with GRDP per capita rising to VND 54 million - an increase of more than 62% compared to 2020. The economic structure has shifted positively, with a declining share of agriculture and forestry and growth in industry, construction, and services. Total budget revenue surpassed VND 2 trillion, achieving 103% of the provincial resolution’s target.

Agriculture has been restructured toward commercial production, applying science and technology to improve productivity, quality, and value. The province has developed specialized farming zones for key crops such as rice, coffee, macadamia, rubber, tea, and medicinal plants, linked to processing and consumption, gradually building Điện Biên’s agricultural brand. By 2025, perennial crop areas will exceed 13,700 hectares, including over 12,300 hectares of macadamia. Grain output will approach 295,000 tons, exceeding the set target, while forest coverage will reach 45.5%. The new rural development program has achieved positive outcomes: rural infrastructure has been upgraded, and living standards have improved markedly. Many remote and mountainous communes now have access to paved roads, the national power grid, schools, and healthcare centers. A major campaign to replace temporary and dilapidated housing has provided solid homes for more than 22,300 poor households, reflecting the compassion, unity, and mutual support of Điện Biên’s Party organization and its people.

Infrastructure investment has accelerated, with many strategic projects completed, giving the province a new look. Total social investment reached over VND 81.8 trillion, up 72% from the previous term. Major projects have been implemented, including the expansion of Điện Biên Airport, upgrades to national and provincial highways, irrigation works, energy projects, and urban and tourism infrastructure. The province has actively proposed early implementation of the Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Expressway, the A Pa Chải Border Gate Economic Zone, and National Highway 4H, opening new development corridors for Điện Biên and the Northwest region. Infrastructure for electricity, water, telecommunications, and digital connectivity has expanded, with 3G/4G coverage at 94.2% and internet usage reaching 72%. Many digital platforms and databases are now in operation, helping to build e-government and improve administrative efficiency.

Industry, trade, services, and tourism have grown strongly, making significant contributions to economic development. The industrial production index increased by an average of 12.82% per year, with output projected to reach VND 4.486 trillion by 2025. Trade and services have flourished, with total retail sales and service revenue exceeding VND 28 trillion. Tourism - the province’s key economic sector - has posted impressive growth, welcoming more than 5.5 million visitors and generating VND 9.4 trillion in revenue during 2021- 2025. The successful organization of National Tourism Year - Điện Biên 2024 and the Northwest Essence - Điện Biên Festival 2025 reaffirmed the province’s position and growing appeal on Vietnam’s tourism map.

Administrative reform and investment climate improvement have made clear progress, with enhanced competitiveness and governance performance. The province has issued various policies to attract investment, promote trade and tourism, and foster a business-friendly environment. By 2025, Điện Biên will have over 1,450 enterprises with a total registered capital of more than VND 34 trillion, with the private sector increasingly serving as a key driver of local growth.

Cultural, educational, healthcare, and social welfare sectors have also advanced significantly. The school network has been streamlined, with over 80% of schools meeting national standards. Education quality has improved, and enrollment rates continue to rise. Vocational training and job creation have been prioritized, generating more than 9,000 new jobs annually. The healthcare system has been comprehensively upgraded, with 100% of communal health stations meeting national standards and health insurance coverage reaching 98%. Cultural and sports movements have developed widely, with 75.8% of households recognized as “cultural families”. Ethnic cultural heritage has been preserved and linked with tourism development, enriching the spiritual life of local communities.

Local authorities have enhanced their service mindset, improved state management efficiency, and advanced administrative reform through clearer decentralization and delegation of authority. A two-tier local government model has been implemented effectively, ensuring streamlined and responsive governance. Management and decision-making processes are increasingly transparent and citizen-centered. Anti-corruption, anti-waste, and integrity campaigns have been carried out decisively, building public trust. The Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have renewed their operations, focusing more on grassroots engagement and strengthening national unity and social consensus.

National defense and security have been firmly safeguarded, maintaining public order and social safety. The provincial armed forces have remained combat-ready, proactively monitoring the situation, preventing hostile plots, and preserving border sovereignty and political stability. Borders with Laos and China have been effectively managed and protected, contributing to peace, friendship, and cooperation. External relations have expanded, deepening Điện Biên’s special friendship with northern Lao provinces, Yunnan (China), and Thai localities, while also fostering cooperation with Japan, South Korea, France, Russia, and international organizations. The province attracts an average of over USD 3 million per year in non-governmental aid, supporting socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and community capacity building.

These comprehensive achievements demonstrate the strong performance of provincial authorities. Entering the 2025- 2030 term, Điện Biên faces both new opportunities and challenges. While infrastructure has improved and public confidence has strengthened, the province still grapples with a small economic scale, uneven infrastructure, high poverty rates, limited investment resources, and climate-related risks.

In response, Điện Biên has set an overarching goal: to enhance leadership and governance capacity, harness the power of national unity, and maximize local advantages for economic and social advancement, while ensuring political stability, national defense, and international integration. By 2030, Điện Biên aims to become a green, smart, and sustainable economy, a tourism hub of the northern midlands and mountainous region, and one of the region’s more developed provinces. Specific targets include: 10 - 11% annual economic growth; GRDP per capita of VND 115 million; labor productivity of VND 193 million per worker; budget revenue exceeding VND 5 trillion; total social investment capital of VND 231 trillion for 2026 - 2030; and the digital economy accounting for 20% of GRDP. The province also aims for an HDI of 0.694, an annual poverty reduction rate above 3%, 8,000 - 9,000 new jobs per year, and 60% of communes meeting new rural standards.

To realize these goals, the province will focus on eight key areas:

First, comprehensive planning: finalize the provincial master plan for 2026 - 2035 with a vision to 2050, serving as a foundation for investment attraction and spatial development in urban, industrial, tourism, and agricultural sectors; strengthen regional links with Northwest provinces and northern Laos; and expand cross-border trade through Tây Trang and A Pa Chải.

Second, green, sustainable growth: restructure agriculture toward concentrated production and processing; promote organic and high-tech farming; aim for 40,000 hectares of macadamia and 20,000 hectares of coffee by 2030; and develop renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and small hydropower, adding 700 - 800MW of capacity by 2030.

Third, tourism development: make tourism a spearhead sector by developing cultural, historical, spiritual, and eco-tourism; leverage the Điện Biên Phủ battlefield relic; and strengthen tourism promotion and regional linkages.

Fourth, efficient investment mobilization: prioritize public investment in key infrastructure such as the Sơn La - Điện Biên- Tây Trang Expressway, transport networks, urban systems, and digital infrastructure; encourage private and corporate participation in infrastructure development.

Fifth, administrative and digital transformation: deepen reform, improve the business environment, and enhance competitiveness; accelerate the development of digital government, digital economy, and digital society; promote innovation, automation, and AI in production and management; support start-ups and digital enterprises; and boost R&D and technology transfer.

Sixth, human resources: develop high-quality human capital aligned with labor restructuring; operationalize the Thái Nguyên University branch in Điện Biên; and strengthen cooperation with reputable universities and vocational training institutions, especially in agriculture, tourism, and services.

Seventh, social welfare: continue poverty reduction and rural modernization programs to improve both material and spiritual well-being.

Eighth, security and diplomacy: maintain national defense and border sovereignty; foster external relations and build peaceful, friendly, and cooperative borders.

Building on Điện Biên’s proud heroic tradition and the “Điện Biên Phủ spirit in the new era”, provincial authorities are determined to unite, innovate, and act boldly, driving strong breakthroughs toward becoming a vibrant model of green, smart, and sustainable development in northern Vietnam, worthy of the trust and expectations of its people and the nation.

Comrade Lê Thành Đô

Deputy Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee