The administrative apparatus functions stably, decentralization and delegation of authority have been accelerated, and administrative reform and digital transformation have achieved clear advances, aiming to serve citizens and enterprises ever better.

From July 1, 2025, Điện Biên officially operated the two-tier local governance model, while simultaneously rearranging administrative units, consolidating organizational structures, assigning personnel, and redefining functions and duties across tiers. Given the distinct characteristics of a mountainous, border province with expansive terrain, unevenly distributed population, numerous remote communes, and constrained physical and digital infrastructure, implementing the new model posed substantial challenges.

Through practical operations, the two-tier local administrative apparatus has been fundamentally stable and seamless; functions and responsibilities are more clearly defined, reducing overlaps. Accelerating decentralization and delegation of authority enhances the role of commune-level administrations, requiring cadres and civil servants to be more proactive, close to the people, aligned with practical conditions, and more effective in serving the public.

In Búng Lao commune, immediately following the rollout of the new model, the Commune People’s Committee stabilized its organization, assigning specific duties to each cadre and civil servant. According to Trương Hồng Bách, Chairman of the commune People’s Committee, removing the intermediary tier enables provincial guidelines and directives to reach the grassroots directly and promptly, thereby enhancing proactivity and agility in governance and dispute resolution. Alongside administrative reorganization, procedural reform is identified as a vital component.

The commune Public Administration Service Center was consolidated, deploying personnel to directly receive dossiers, guide applicants, and process procedures. Procedural requirements, dossier components, workflows, and processing timelines are publicly and transparently posted. Many procedures have been decentralized to the commune level, shortening handling times, cutting costs, and reducing travel for residents.

From July 1, 2025, to date, Búng Lao commune received, processed, and returned results for 3,661 administrative procedure dossiers; 100% of dossiers were processed through the online public service portal and paid via digital channels, all settled on schedule. This outcome demonstrates a marked change in service methods, moving toward a convenient, transparent, citizen-centric administration.

In Nà Tấu commune, citizens arriving at the Public Administration Service Center receive thorough guidance from dossier preparation to receipt, processing, and return of results. Lò Văn Lưu from Nong Sẳng village stated that when completing procedures regarding disability support policies for a relative, he observed that instructions were explicit and processing was swift, sparing applicants repeated visits as in the past.

For grassroots cadres, the new model entails higher workloads and greater demands. Lò Văn Thủy, Deputy Director of the Public Administration Service Center of Nà Tấu commune, shared that cadres must proactively update themselves on new regulations, enhance dossier handling skills, and guide citizens - particularly those unfamiliar with completing administrative procedures in a digital environment.

While organizational streamlining represents the initial step, administrative reform and digital transformation serve as key instruments for the two-tier local governance model to function effectively. At Public Administration Service Centers, citizens can search procedures and dossier components, track resolution progress, and receive results through varied channels. Information kiosks, virtual assistants, and AI robots are progressively integrated, shortening search times and mitigating errors during dossier preparation.

Lò Văn Sinh from Cang village, Mường Phăng commune, arriving to complete administrative paperwork, was guided step-by-step by civil servants to perform online public services. This was also his first time using an AI assistant to retrieve information and prepare dossiers. Lò Văn Sinh shared: “Staff at the Public Administration Service Center guided me on using AI services to look up information, prepare documents, and navigate the online public service steps. I found it very straightforward and convenient. Anything unclear was explained thoroughly and in detail.”

From July 1, 2025, to June 2026, the entire province received nearly 141,000 administrative procedure dossiers, of which more than 140,900 dossiers were resolved on or ahead of time. The province currently provides over 1,080 end-to-end online public services. These figures demonstrate that administrative reform is progressively becoming substantive, targeting the goal of better serving citizens and enterprises.

Notably, throughout the reorganization and operation of the new model, socioeconomic development and defense and security missions proceeded without disruption. In 2025, provincial GRDP grew by 7.34%; in the first 6 months of 2026, it rose by 8.67%. This indicates that administrative restructuring has not disrupted local development activities.

After more than one year operating the two-tier local governance model, achievements so far represent an initial stage. Yet from apparatus stability and accelerated processing to closer personnel engagement and digitized public services, the two-tier local governance model is generating concrete shifts in management methods, administration, and public service delivery.

With the determination to innovate, expand decentralization, advance administrative reform, and drive digital transformation, Điện Biên is transitioning from a “new apparatus” to “new operating methods,” placing citizens at the center of service. This serves as a vital foundation for the two-tier local governance model to continue maturing, operating effectively, and genuinely functioning as a government close to the people and dedicated to serving the public.