This consensus from the grassroots level not only ensures that the rearrangement complies with regulations but also shapes a foundation for the new units to stabilize promptly and promote operational efficiency.

During the days of gathering public opinions on the Scheme to rearrange villages and residential groups in Mường Ảng commune, the atmosphere of village meetings was democratic and open. Commune cadres, the Fatherland Front, village heads, and mass organizations went directly to each residential area to popularize the policy, clearly explaining the legal basis, goals, and long-term benefits of the rearrangement. The meetings allocated significant time for residents to speak out and express their concerns, while concurrently proposing and recommending issues related to the rearrangement plan.

The merger of Hón Sáng village with Hón village to form the new Hón Sáng village initially received mixed opinions. Some households still harbored concerns due to their attachment to the old village name, worrying that the change would affect community life and traditional values. However, instead of imposing decisions or executing them through pure administrative measures, the local government opted for a democratic approach, gathering voter opinions multiple times and answering every matter that residents were concerned about.

Cầm Nhân Muôn, Head of Hón Sáng village, stated: Before the merger, the village logged only 137 households, failing to meet the scale criteria. Following the merger with Hón village, the total would reach 367 households with 1,327 people. During the opinion-gathering process, the commune party committee and authority visited the village multiple times to meet with the public and explain the specific purpose of the rearrangement. From initial hesitation, after a process of propaganda, mobilization, and explanation, 100 percent of the participating residents agreed to the merger plan.

What deserves recognition is that throughout the implementation process, the people’s right to mastery has been maximized. Residents gained access to information right from the plan-drafting phase, participated in contributing ideas before decisions were finalized, and the results of the opinion gathering were made public right within the residential areas. This transparent and democratic approach created the trust needed for the public to build a consensus on the policy.

Đoàn Thế Quỳnh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Mường Ảng commune, noted: Out of the commune’s 38 villages, 9 met the conditions to remain unchanged, while 29 had to undergo rearrangement. During deployment, cadres frequently visited the localities to listen to opinions and explain arising issues, and thanks to effectively promoting the grassroots level democracy regulations, residents have built a consensus around the policies of the Party and State.

In Điện Biên Phủ ward, the locality logs 38 remaining residential groups and villages after the rearrangement. The opinion-gathering conferences were organized publicly and in the correct order, and each plan to rearrange or rename a residential group was popularized promptly for residents to study before voting.

Nguyễn Quốc Phong, Secretary of the Party Cell of Residential Group 19, stated that the opinion-gathering process took place openly, with residents contributing numerous ideas regarding the new names, the scale of the residential groups, and contents related to operational organization after the rearrangement, helping the majority of residents achieve high consensus on the plan built by the locality.

Mai Bích Hạnh from Residential Group 19 shared: We felt very pleased because not only were our opinions gathered, but our reasonable proposals were also absorbed by the locality. She added that the new name “Him Lam street” received broad agreement because it links with the historical value of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, contributing to preserving traditions and educating the younger generation.

Reality across many localities shows that if focus is placed solely on the requirement to reduce focal points without paying adequate attention to the people’s sentiments, concerns can easily arise, even creating a hesitant mindset. Therefore, Điện Biên province identifies the implementation of grassroots level democracy as a consistent requirement throughout the rearrangement process of villages and residential groups.

Accordingly, the plans were constructed based on field surveys and opinions from party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and especially the residents in each residential area. The feedback contributed by the public was synthesized and studied for appropriate adjustments before authorized levels considered and finalized decisions.

The entire province currently logs 1,446 villages, hamlets, and residential groups. After reviewing and comparing them against regulated criteria, the province constructed a plan to rearrange and reorganize them down to 881 villages and residential groups, marking a reduction of 565 units. Practical deployment demonstrates that democracy does not only manifest in organizing opinion-gathering conferences but is also reflected in the government’s accountability, information transparency, and a receptive spirit in absorbing public feedback. When the public truly participates fully in the plan-building process, with concerns and snags answered promptly and legitimate rights and benefits guaranteed, the major policy will receive high consensus.

Rearranging villages and residential groups stands as an inevitable requirement to build a streamlined apparatus that operates validly and efficiently. Yet, the greater value of this process lies in continuing to affirm and promote the people’s right to mastery at the grassroots level. It is the very consensus of the public that will serve as the foundation for the rearrangement of villages and residential groups to be executed swiftly and stably, promoting the strength of solidarity and constructing increasingly civilized and developing residential communities.