From July 1, under the policy to streamline grassroots-level apparatuses, the number of villages and residential groups across Điện Biên province dropped from 1,446 down to 888. In Sam Mứn commune, following rearrangement, the number of villages decreased from 20 to 12, with 5 retained intact due to terrain features. Rearranging residential units demanded rapid consolidation of sub-association heads and youth branch secretaries to maintain grassroots-level political-social organization operations. By July 14, Sam Mứn commune completed personnel selection for these positions across merged villages, with official decisions scheduled for announcement within the week.

However, the consolidation process faced hurdles as several sub-association heads and youth branch secretaries requested to retire due to advanced age or a desire to focus on family economics.

Ly Nình Vàng, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Sam Mứn commune, stated: “Arising from practical conditions, the commune organized meetings with representatives of village political-social organizations to grasp thoughts and aspirations, promptly resolving difficulties in personnel arrangement. For capable and dedicated individuals, local authorities continued mobilizing them to accept duties, while directing villages to hold meetings and recommend suitable personnel for vacant positions. Thanks to this approach, many grassroots-level cadres continued accepting tasks, allowing local consolidation to proceed smoothly without major disruptions.”

Regarding the Youth Union, following rearrangement, 11 out of 12 village youth branch secretaries are new personnel. This met organizational consolidation needs while creating conditions to rejuvenate the grassroots-level union cadre team. All youth branch secretaries graduated from high school or higher and are Party members; most belong to the 9X generation, with the youngest born in 2003.

Lò Văn Chương, Secretary of the Sam Mứn commune Youth Union, shared: “Consolidating the team of youth branch secretaries post-merger was far from easy because many local youth leave to work far away. A number of former secretaries lacked time to participate in Union activities. Facing this reality, the commune Youth Union Executive Board coordinated with party cells to review and select capable, energetic young party members. Post-merger, party cell scales became larger and the number of young party members increased, providing a favorable source. Consequently, 12 out of 12 villages consolidated youth branch secretary titles, adding qualified cadres to the grassroots-level youth movement.”

Alongside Sam Mứn, Nà Tấu commune completed personnel consolidation for political-social organizations in early July. The locality prioritized appointing former interim sub-association heads to continue duties based on evaluating capacity, responsibility, and grassroots-level credit. Nevertheless, with some individuals stepping down, local authorities had to select new replacement personnel.

For instance, within the Commune Women’s Union, two sub-associations changed personnel after cadres resigned to work far away, while another sub-association appointed new personnel as both former heads reached advanced age and voluntarily stepped down to create opportunities for young successor cadres.

Lường Thị Thơi, Vice President of the Nà Tấu commune Women’s Union, noted: “Initially, some union cadres felt hesitant when accepting duties in merged villages. The Union met them directly to grasp thoughts and mobilize eligible individuals to remain committed to work. For those expressing a desire to step down, the Union respected their decisions and selected suitable replacement personnel.”

In Nà Tấu village, Lò Thị Xuân (born in 1995), a young party member and former head of Nà Tấu 1 Women’s Sub-Association, was trusted to continue as Sub-Association Head post-merger. Expanding from 58 former members, the sub-association now counts 98 members.

Lò Thị Xuân shared: “A larger membership and broader territory mean more work. Initially, difficulties will surely arise as members from two former villages join one new sub-association, but I will proactively stay close and grasp thoughts from each member group to maintain activities and foster cohesion.”

To date, localities across the province have basically completed personnel consolidation for political-social organizations following village and residential group mergers. This serves as a solid foundation for grassroots-level political-social organizations to consolidate operations, promote their role in gathering members, build public consensus, and fulfill tasks in the coming period.