Rather than relying solely on written reports, leaders of Búng Lao commune have made it a practice to visit Hua Chăn and Hua Nạ villages directly to learn about local living conditions and production. Through open dialogues right in the villages, urgent issues such as electricity access, eliminating temporary housing, and developing new crops were raised and addressed. The presence of commune officials at the grassroots reassured residents that their voices were heard and their concerns were promptly resolved.

Trương Hồng Bách, Chairman of the Búng Lao commune People’s Committee, explained that Búng Lao commune was newly established through the merger of three former communes: Ẳng Tở, Búng Lao, and Chiềng Đông. “For areas newly incorporated, beyond gathering information from reports, we go directly to the people to see and hear firsthand the challenges they face. Together, we seek solutions and promptly recommend suitable policies,” he said.

This spirit of “going to the people” has been even more evident in emergencies. When heavy rains caused landslides in Mường Pồn commune, local leaders arrived that same morning to inspect the damage and direct response efforts. Warning signs were erected, residents evacuated, and water channels cleared in time to minimize losses. For the people, the government’s timely presence in critical moments reflected genuine responsibility and reinforced their belief that local authorities are not distant but deeply connected to their lives.

As resident Lường Văn Bình of Mường Pồn noted, commune officials were present whenever difficulties arose in production, daily life, or even during natural disasters. “We feel that the authorities truly stand with us, not just issuing instructions from afar,” he emphasized.

In a mountainous province like Điện Biên, where terrain is divided and life remains challenging, the initiative of grassroots officials carries decisive weight. A distant government that waits for citizens to approach would only widen the gap and weaken trust. Conversely, when officials are willing to travel long distances, endure hardships, and regularly appear in villages, the government becomes a reliable support for the people.

Beyond major development issues, resolving everyday concerns also requires officials to go directly to the grassroots, ensuring that public feedback is handled quickly and effectively. More importantly, these visits foster closer bonds between the Party, government, and the people. Administrative offices once seen as formal and distant now give way to friendly conversations in the villages, where residents feel comfortable voicing their aspirations.

In remote areas, when officials come directly to process paperwork or listen to community concerns, it not only embodies administrative reform but also reaffirms the principle of staying close to the people. From practical experience, this approach has been shown to reduce bureaucracy and bring about a new way of governing.

Above all, the principle of “going to the people” has reshaped working styles at the local level. By being present in the villages and listening to citizens, officials have put into practice the Party’s viewpoint of “the people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people supervise, and the people benefit.” This has deepened grassroots democracy, improved public service, and laid a stronger foundation for sustainable development.

The shift from waiting for the people to come to proactively going to the people is a creative application of the principle “the people are the root” in state governance. It strengthens national unity and builds a government that truly belongs to the people, is chosen by the people, and serves the people. From these concrete steps, trust in the Party and the government has grown stronger, becoming a driving force for development and sustainable poverty reduction in the borderlands.