Currently, the province has 22 artisans in folk performing arts; 4 artisans in social practices and beliefs; 5 artisans mastering two types of intangible cultural heritage; 1 artisan in folk knowledge and performing arts; 2 artisans in social practices, beliefs and languages/scripts; 1 artisan in social practices and performing arts; and 1 artisan in social practices and traditional festivals. Among the distinguished artisans, there are 7 of the Mông ethnic group, 15 Thái, 2 Lào, 3 Khơ Mú, 1 Cống, 1 Hà Nhì, and 2 Dao, residing in 21 communes and wards across Điện Biên province.

To encourage and support artisans while safeguarding cultural heritage, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has actively invited artisans to participate in competitions, cultural exchanges, and events. These occasions provide opportunities for artisans to introduce their ethnic cultures to domestic and international visitors. The department has also prepared dossiers to propose the conferment of the titles of People’s Artisan and Distinguished Artisan to those preserving and practicing intangible cultural heritage.

Over the years, Project 6 - “Preserving and Promoting the Fine Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities in Association with Tourism Development” - under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has been implemented, including training classes on intangible heritage. Highlights include teaching traditional costume making of the Kháng, Xinh Mun, Khơ Mú, and Dao ethnic groups; techniques for Mông textile patterns and khèn crafting; Dao script writing; Si La weaving; and preservation of traditional ethnic sports and festivals.

The province has also provided preferential policies to Distinguished Artisans such as supporting the establishment and operation of clubs and heritage practice groups. The Điện Biên provincial Thái Ethnic Cultural Association has been established. Low-income artisans receive monthly living allowances, health insurance support, and funeral assistance. In addition, artisans are supported to participate in cultural transmission activities, training successors, and guiding community practice sessions.

However, the current monthly allowance for People’s Artisans and Distinguished Artisans in difficult circumstances (VND 700,000 - 850,000) remains low and far from meeting the average standard of living. Moreover, there are no regulations on support levels for other artisans in general, nor for those who organize heritage transmission activities.

In early August 2025, the Government issued Decree No.215/2025/NĐ-CP on the management, protection, and promotion of the value of world cultural and natural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage in UNESCO Lists, and national intangible heritage inventories; as well as policies for artisans and heritage bearers. Following this, on September 11, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism submitted proposals for two decisions: announcing administrative procedures and approving internal processes for newly issued procedures in the field of cultural heritage. These include administrative procedures for implementing policies for People’s Artisans and Distinguished Artisans.

However, difficulties remain in implementation since the Decree does not yet stipulate detailed spending levels, leaving no legal basis for disbursing allowances to Distinguished Artisans in the province. Therefore, it is essential that competent authorities urgently resolve these challenges, thereby encouraging artisans to further promote their role and responsibility in safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage values.