In the past, going to the local government to complete administrative procedures often made many people hesitant due to cumbersome and time-consuming processes. Now, things are gradually changing in a positive direction, processing times have been shortened, and people receive thorough guidance. When the two-tier government officially began operating, Mr. Mùa A Tỵ (from Hua Chăn hamlet) and Ms. Vàng Thị Dợ (from Kéo Nánh hamlet) came to the Búng Lao commune People’s Committee to register their marriage. Without a long wait, they were given detailed, step-by-step guidance by commune officials and completed the procedure in just a few minutes.

“The staff were friendly and gave us thorough step-by-step instructions, so we encountered no problems. Everything was handled quickly and clearly, making us feel respected and cared for,” shared Mr. Tỵ.

Búng Lao commune was formed from the merger of three communes: Búng Lao, Ẳng Tở, and Chiềng Đông, formerly part of Mường Ảng and Tuần Giáo districts. Covering more than 145km2 and with a population of nearly 20,000 people in 39 hamlets, the commune’s territory is large and its population scattered. Right from the start of operating the two-tier government model, the Party Committee and commune authorities assigned clear roles and responsibilities to each official, civil servant, and public employee to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations.

Mr. Tạ Mạnh Cường, Secretary of the Búng Lao commune Party Committee, said: “Commune officials quickly stabilized their mindset, clearly understood the spirit of serving people, and were ready to overcome difficulties to fulfill their duties. Although the commune Public Administrative Service Center still lacks facilities and equipment, our civil servants always strive to receive and process administrative procedures promptly and efficiently, giving people confidence and peace of mind during the administrative reform process.”

After about five weeks of operation, communes and wards across the province have gradually stabilized their apparatus and improved service efficiency for people. Local public administrative service centers have received and resolved many administrative records and procedures for organizations and individuals. Despite difficulties in facilities and equipment, officials and civil servants have proactively addressed challenges, performing their duties with high responsibility. Administrative procedures have been processed consistently without delays or interruptions, and the new government model has gained public trust.

Mr. Nguyễn Trung Nghĩa, a resident of Na Sang commune, shared: “In the past, every time I needed to complete a procedure or give feedback, I worried about long waits or not getting things resolved right away. Now it’s different, commune officials receive citizens on time, explain things clearly, and have a friendly attitude. I see the government working more scientifically, closer to people, and truly listening. This change makes us feel very reassured and confident.”

Na Sang commune has set regulations for citizen reception on all working days during office hours. The Chairman of the commune People’s Committee personally receives citizens on the 15th of each month; if this falls on a holiday, the meeting is moved to the next working day. In case of urgent or unexpected matters, the commune promptly receives and addresses them, showing proactiveness and flexibility in serving people.

Mr. Trịnh Hoàng Thắng, Secretary of the Na Sang commune Party Committee, said: “Commune officials and civil servants have made significant changes in their thinking and working methods, embodying the ‘serving government’ spirit in a concrete and approachable way. Administrative procedures are handled transparently and on time, with increasingly friendly and responsible attitudes toward citizens. These changes have improved public satisfaction and trust, working toward building an efficient administration that serves people better.”

Implementing the two-tier local government model has created pressure but also motivation for commune officials to innovate and improve themselves. With clearly assigned responsibilities, officials are more proactive, reducing the tendency to pass responsibility onto others.

Mr. Ngô Văn Thanh, Secretary of the Pu Nhi commune Party Committee, said: “At our first meeting with commune officials, public employees, and workers after the two-tier government began, we emphasized that in the coming period, tasks for the commune will become more numerous and demanding. Especially now, building an effective and efficient two-tier local government, advancing digital transformation, administrative reform, transparency, and serving people and businesses is increasingly important. Therefore, each official, civil servant, public employee, and worker needs to promote solidarity, responsibility, discipline, administrative order, innovate thinking, and improve performance, serving people with dedication and professionalism, following the motto ‘Putting people at the center of service.’ We will focus on socio-economic development, national defense and security, accelerating administrative reform, digital transformation, and strengthening dialogue with people.”

The implementation of the two-tier local government model in Điện Biên province has created initial pressures but has also been a driving force for grassroots officials to change their thinking and improve working methods. Local leaders have proactively established working groups to go directly to villages, grasp people’s thoughts and aspirations, and promptly respond to feedback from the grassroots level, true to the spirit of “close to people, for people.”

During the current stormy season, the attention of local authorities is evident from the Party and State leaders down to the provincial and commune levels, who remain close to the grassroots, regularly inspecting and assessing the actual situation. Through concrete actions, the proactiveness and high responsibility of commune officials have clearly shown positive changes in administrative reform, contributing to building a constructive, close-to-the-people government that serves people better every day.