Listening to the people

ĐBP - After more than a month since its establishment, the commune-level government apparatus in Điện Biên province has taken shape and is operating smoothly. Along with organizational stabilization, one important task is to monitor public opinion and listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the people. Being open to listening and flexible in addressing emerging issues not only ensures the newly merged apparatus operates efficiently but also brings it closer to the people, earning their trust and strong support.

Listening to the people

Monitoring public opinion is the foundation for targeted, effective communication work, helping build consensus in implementing socio-economic development tasks after the merger. Localities have adopted different approaches to engaging with public sentiment, but they share the same goal: listen and act.

In Quài Tở commune, following the spirit of “listening to the people,” the commune People’s Committee organized a face-to-face meeting with village heads to promptly grasp the situation at the grassroots level. With the participation of commune leaders and professional department representatives, the dialogue became a practical forum for village heads to raise issues such as land disputes, management of agricultural land, stream encroachment, the need for road construction, and building embankments to prevent landslides.

Nhữ Duy Đông, Chairman of the Quài Tở commune People’s Committee, affirmed: “Village heads are an important bridge between the government and the people. They play a key role in implementing guidelines and policies, while directly receiving and conveying the people’s thoughts and aspirations to the Party committees and local authorities. Realities at the grassroots always pose many issues that require flexible and practical solutions, so holding regular meetings and dialogues is an opportunity to exchange, resolve, and build consensus for action.”

The Chairman of the Quài Tở commune People’s Committee meets with village heads to listen to their thoughts, aspirations, and updates on local situations.

At the meeting, many issues within the commune’s authority were clearly explained by commune leaders. Matters beyond their authority were acknowledged, compiled, and promised to be reported to higher levels for consideration and resolution. In addition to meeting key village leaders, commune leaders also visit villages directly to understand local conditions and the people’s concerns. This allows residents to feel that their voices are heard, their petitions are valued and addressed, helping to strengthen trust in grassroots authorities. As a result, after the merger, the local situation has remained stable, public opinion positive, and the people united in supporting their commune government.

In Mường Ảng commune, leaders also do not wait passively for reports from below but instead go directly to villages, attend Party cell meetings, check on residents’ conditions, and hold direct dialogues with Party members and the public, especially in remote, difficult villages such as Pú Súa and Hua Nặm. Here, people’s requests, such as upgrading village roads, repairing community halls, and adding equipment for community activities, were addressed and noted by commune leaders.

Doãn Đức Chính, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Mường Ảng commune Party Committee, emphasized: “The government cannot perform well without understanding what the people are thinking and needing. Every opinion and piece of feedback from the people is an important basis for us to review, adjust our approach, and invest in the right places.”

Earning the people’s trust

According to the National Assembly Standing Committee’s resolution, Điện Biên has completed the large-scale restructuring of commune-level administrative units, reducing from 129 to only 45 units (42 communes and 3 wards). At the same time, the intermediate level (district, town, and city) was abolished, and like the rest of the country, the province officially began operating under the two-tier local government model. Preparations were carried out methodically, with extensive public consultation and a high level of consensus.

Since the two-tier local government model came into operation, all administrative activities, public services, and even responses to sudden incidents such as natural disasters and floods in the province’s communes have been smooth, timely, and uninterrupted. However, organizational, territorial, personnel, and habitual changes can also give rise to certain emerging issues, potentially exploited by ill-intentioned individuals to distort facts, spread falsehoods, and incite the public.

The merger of administrative units and the shift to the two-tier local government model is a crucial step in the development path. Initial disruptions and difficulties are inevitable. The most important thing now is for the new government apparatus to truly prove its superiority through work efficiency and, above all, by ensuring the people’s satisfaction.

To achieve this, there is no alternative but to continually listen to the people and monitor public sentiment to ensure effective connection. Channels for receiving and addressing public opinions and petitions must be utilized to their fullest potential. Every thought, aspiration, and even frustration from the people should be considered valuable input for authorities at all levels to adjust policies and improve operational methods, ensuring that the reform truly serves the highest goal: a better life for all ethnic communities in the province.

Nguyễn Hiền
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Điện Biên boosts prevention and control of dengue fever

    Điện Biên boosts prevention and control of dengue fever

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, the dengue fever situation has been complicated in many provinces and cities across the country. Although no dengue cases have been recorded in Điện Biên province in the first seven months of 2025, the health sector and local authorities have been implementing comprehensive measures to prevent and control the disease, protecting public health.
  • 'Mobilizing all efforts to overcome flood consequences

    Mobilizing all efforts to overcome flood consequences

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The heavy rain that occurred from the night of July 31 to the early morning of August 1 caused flash floods and landslides, inflicting severe damage to lives, property, and infrastructure in many highland communes across Điện Biên province. Local authorities, together with functional forces, are mobilizing maximum manpower and resources to focus on relief efforts, ensuring that no flood-affected resident lacks food or clothing.
  • 'Urgent allocation of VND 200 billion to support Điện Biên in overcoming natural disaster aftermath

    Urgent allocation of VND 200 billion to support Điện Biên in overcoming natural disaster aftermath

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the afternoon of August 3, following a direct visit to residents severely affected by natural disasters in Điện Biên province, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Head of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, and the Government’s working delegation held a meeting with the Standing Board of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee to assess and direct recovery efforts.
  • 'Steadfast organization, strong faith

    Steadfast organization, strong faith

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The merger of commune-level administrative units is a major policy of the Party and State aimed at streamlining the organizational apparatus and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the political system. However, after the merger, consolidating Party organizations at the grassroots level in the newly formed communes is a crucial and urgent task to ensure the Party’s comprehensive leadership from the grassroots, maintain political stability, and promote local socio-economic development.
  • 'Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits and encourages flood-affected residents in Tìa Dình

    Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits and encourages flood-affected residents in Tìa Dình

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - At around 2:00 p.m. today (August 3), Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and a Government delegation arrived by helicopter in Tìa Dình commune, Điện Biên province to visit and encourage local residents affected by recent flooding, as well as to inspect and direct ongoing rescue and recovery operations. Accompanying the delegation was provincial Party Secretary Trần Quốc Cường.
  • 'Return to Mường Pồn

    Return to Mường Pồn

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Mường Pồn commune, Điện Biên province once bore the brunt of nature’s fury during a devastating flash flood a year ago. Landslides, raging streams, homes swept away, fields destroyed, and lives lost forever. One year later, we return, witnessing not only changes in the landscape but also the indomitable will to live of the people here. Through grit and resilience, the flood-stricken community of Mường Pồn is rebuilding and reviving day by day.
  • 'Hero in the night of the deadly flood

    Hero in the night of the deadly flood

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the white curtain of torrential rain and the deafening roar of the mountains, a decisive act and an urgent phone call by village head Mùa A Thi saved 21 households with 90 people from the jaws of death during a devastating flash flood in the early hours of August 1.
  • 'Ensuring projects continue after local administrative restructuring

    Ensuring projects continue after local administrative restructuring

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Following the recent restructuring and streamlining of the two-tier local government apparatus, the transfer of management for ongoing and completed infrastructure projects is being carried out urgently to ensure continuity. The goal is to avoid any delays or disruptions caused by the reorganization and merger of administrative units.
  • 'Stuck in the mud: Thanh Nưa residents struggle with crumbling road

    Stuck in the mud: Thanh Nưa residents struggle with crumbling road

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Hundreds of households in the former center of Thanh Hưng commune, now part of Thanh Nưa commune, Điện Biên province are enduring daily hardships as they navigate a severely degraded road leading to the old commune center. Despite repeated appeals and years of hope, the rugged, muddy path remains a persistent burden, especially during the rainy season.
  • 'Urgent efforts to restore power supply for flood-affected residents

    Urgent efforts to restore power supply for flood-affected residents

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Heavy rains and flooding on the night of July 31 and early morning of August 1 in Xa Dung, Mường Luân, and Na Son communes in Điện Biên province caused power outages at 97 transformer stations, affecting a total of 8,960 customers. The Điện Biên Power Company is urgently mobilizing forces to restore electricity as quickly as possible for residents.
  • 'Urgent measures to contain African swine fever

    Urgent measures to contain African swine fever

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Across the country, more than 540 communes and wards in 30 of 34 provinces and cities still have African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks that have not passed the 21-day quarantine period. The illegal sale, purchase, transport, slaughter, and consumption of sick or dead pigs, as well as the disposal of carcasses into the environment, are worsening the epidemic’s spread.
  • 'When radio broadcasting and social media go hand in hand

    When radio broadcasting and social media go hand in hand

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The effectiveness of communication is measured not only by the volume of information delivered but also by its ability to spread. As social media gradually becomes a popular access channel while radio broadcasting remains a trusted source, combining these two forms has created strong outreach.
  • 'Listening to the people

    Listening to the people

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - After more than a month since its establishment, the commune-level government apparatus in Điện Biên province has taken shape and is operating smoothly. Along with organizational stabilization, one important task is to monitor public opinion and listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the people. Being open to listening and flexible in addressing emerging issues not only ensures the newly merged apparatus operates efficiently but also brings it closer to the people, earning their trust and strong support.
  • 'Ensuring security for the Party congresses at all levels

    Ensuring security for the Party congresses at all levels

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The success of Party congresses at all levels reflects the unity, responsibility, and thorough preparation of the entire political system. Among the key contributors is the close coordination among sectors and forces, especially the police force, which plays a vital role in ensuring security and safety before, during, and after the congress.
  • 'Keeping the flame alive and passing it on

    Keeping the flame alive and passing it on

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the rush of modern life, as many traditional crafts fade into obscurity, there are still those who quietly preserve and pass on the flame of ancestral trades. They are not only talented artisans but also teachers, true “flame‑bearers” for the next generation, helping safeguard the cultural identity of ethnic communities in the great forests of the Northwest.