Understanding the people

“Go down to the villages to hear the people, to know what they need, and only then can we plan for them…” said Tạ Mạnh Cường, Secretary of the Party Committee of Búng Lao commune, when asked about the key to gaining the people’s trust and support.

Established on July 1, 2025, after the merger of three communes from the former Mường Ảng and Tuần Giáo districts (Búng Lao, Ẳng Tở, and Chiềng Đông), Búng Lao commune now covers more than 145km2 with nearly 20,000 people across 39 villages. In the past, many grassroots issues had to go through several steps, from village to commune, then from commune to district. Under the two-tier local government model, commune-level authorities now have greater decision-making power. Officials are directly responsible for each village, with their weekly schedules always reserving one to two days for grassroots work.

Vừ A Của, Head of Hua Chăn village, shared: “Previously, to get certain paperwork confirmed, people had to go from the village to the commune, and sometimes further to the district. Now it’s different, officials proactively come to the village, listen to people’s concerns, and even help complete some steps at their homes before finalizing at the commune office. Urgent matters can sometimes be resolved within a day, saving people a lot of time and effort.”

Hua Chăn, with 77 households and over 400 residents, used to be one of the most disadvantaged villages of the old Chiềng Đông commune in Tuần Giáo district, with 98.7% of households classified as poor. Therefore, every grassroots visit by commune officials focuses on listening to the people’s lives and difficulties. Everything is recorded on the spot, forming the basis for support plans, whether economic guidance, technical advice on farming and livestock, connecting people with preferential loans, or organizing vocational classes right in the village. This practice has helped local leaders chart more sustainable economic development directions for Hua Chăn residents.

Since adopting the two-tier local government model, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and professional staff of Búng Lao commune have regularly gone to the grassroots, addressing emerging and urgent issues. For example, at Hua Nạ village, where 18 households faced the risk of landslides, a field inspection revealed large cracks on the hillside posing direct threats to lives and property. Immediate response plans were developed and promptly implemented.

Hờ A Cú, Head of Hua Nạ village, said: “If commune officials hadn’t come to inspect, we wouldn’t have fully realized the danger. Now everyone is more alert and ready with evacuation plans. With the authorities showing such close concern, we feel reassured…”

Serving the people

Alongside grassroots engagement, Búng Lao commune has made strong efforts in administrative reform. Processing times have been reduced, points of contact streamlined, and the names and phone numbers of officials in charge publicly listed. Many procedures are now explained directly at people’s homes or through village Zalo groups, allowing residents to prepare documents in advance and avoid multiple trips. For instance, birth registration used to require several visits due to missing papers. Now, a simple phone call with a commune official ensures everything is ready, and the process is completed quickly on arrival.

Trương Hồng Bách, Chairman of the Búng Lao commune People’s Committee, emphasized: “We believe administrative reform doesn’t start at the ‘one-stop shop’ office but with each official’s mindset. When every official sees handling people’s paperwork as their own duty, they will actively shorten the process and cut unnecessary steps. The goal is for people to access public services quickly, conveniently, and transparently.”

With greater authority comes greater responsibility. To meet new requirements, Búng Lao commune’s Party Committee and authorities have reviewed and reorganized their staff based on competencies, while also sending them to professional and technical training courses, especially in information technology, ensuring everyone is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Lò Thị Hương, a resident of Hồng Sọt village, observed: “Commune officials regularly come down to work and discuss with us. Whatever is unclear, they ask and answer immediately; if something is beyond their authority, they explain and set a specific date. This makes us feel much more reassured.”

From the two-tier local government model, the distance from the “village gate” to the “commune gate” has become closer. Meetings with residents at village cultural houses, reminder messages on phones, or on-the-spot discussions between officials and villagers are not entirely new methods, but they reaffirm the spirit of “serving the people” in every Party member and official. In Búng Lao today, people feel the respect and attentiveness of their government, while officials themselves are more aware and proud of the trust and affection given by the people.