The conference was chaired by Mr. Trần Quốc Cường, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Mr. Mùa A Sơn, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Mr. Lê Thành Đô, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; and Mr. Lò Văn Phương, Member of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council.

In 2024, Điện Biên Province implemented housing support policies, renovating and repairing 143 houses for revolutionary contributors and their families, while assisting 1,647 poor households with housing support. The provincial People’s Committee also prioritized social housing development for various target groups, including families displaced by land clearance and demolition, households in disaster-prone rural areas, ethnic boarding school students, low-income workers, laborers in industrial zones, as well as military and public security personnel.

Under the “Investment Plan to Build at least 1 Million Social Housing Units for Low-Income Workers and Industrial Zone Employees (2021-2030),” a total of 520 applicants in 2024 accessed preferential housing loans, with an outstanding loan balance of VNĐ 178 billion.

For 2025, the province has identified 5,443 households in need of housing support, including 4,705 new houses to be built and 738 houses to be upgraded. As of February 4, the “For the poor” Fund had received VNĐ 50.15 billion in donations, which will support the construction of 1,003 new homes for impoverished families.

Delegates at the conference also reviewed challenges in social housing development, particularly regarding funding sources, eligibility criteria, and land allocation for housing projects.

During the discussion, Mr. Trần Quốc Cường emphasized the importance of the role of the provincial People’s Committee in directing relevant agencies to develop a comprehensive social housing policy for the entire province.

He also called on district-level authorities to tailor policies to local conditions while ensuring sufficient land allocation for housing projects. Furthermore, he urged the establishment of clear priority principles and a phased approach for implementation, while organizing investor conferences to facilitate feasibility studies and project registration.

The conference also assessed the progress of major projects under the Master Plan for the 70th Anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. The key projects include Rural Electrification from the National Grid (also known as “Light up Điện Biên” project), Preservation and Restoration of the Center of the Điện Biên Phủ Stronghold Group, Urban Renovation of Điện Biên Phủ City, and Phase II of the Restoration of the Him Lam Resistance Center.

The “Light up Điện Biên” project has a total investment of VNĐ 1.26 trillion, with VNĐ 500 billion allocated in 2024. By the end of the year, VNĐ 269.801 billion (54% of the planned budget) had been disbursed. Meanwhile, the Preservation and Restoration of the Center of the Điện Biên Phủ Stronghold Group, with a total investment of VNĐ 260 billion, has been allocated VNĐ 60.1 billion but has yet to disburse any funds. The urban renovation projects in Điện Biên Phủ City have been completed and are now in the final financial settlement process. The Phase II Restoration of the Him Lam Resistance Center, with a total investment of VNĐ 91 billion, has received project approval, with the contractor selection process finalized. The project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025.

Concluding the discussion, Mr. Trần Quốc Cường directed district-level authorities to closely oversee the “Light up Điện Biên” project, ensuring rapid construction progress. At the same time, he urged swift preparation and execution of historical preservation projects that are falling behind schedule. However, he also emphasized that while speed is necessary, quality and aesthetic integrity must not be compromised, particularly for projects of historical significance.