Small headquarters but large number of staffers

In accordance with the policy of streamlining and restructuring the local government system into two levels, the number of administrative units across the province was reduced from 129 communes, wards, and towns to 45. Depending on specific local conditions, from 2 to 6 former units were merged into one new administrative entity. As a result, only 10 central communes inherited spacious and well-equipped headquarters from former district-level agencies. The remaining communes continue to use old headquarters, leading to cramped and inadequate conditions.

Previously, commune and ward offices were designed to accommodate 20-40 staff members. Many of these buildings are now outdated or in disrepair. After the merger, the number of personnel increased significantly, with an average of 60-80 officials per commune, and some communes exceeding 100 staff members. As a result, no office has sufficient capacity to meet the needs of its expanded workforce.

Núa Ngam commune was established through the merger of three former communes: Núa Ngam, Hẹ Muông, and Na Tông (of the former Điện Biên District), with the main office located at the former Núa Ngam commune’s headquarters. Cao Văn Toàn, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Núa Ngam, shared: “Initially, our facilities included one two-story building with 8 offices (each 15m2), a two-room meeting hall, a row of five one-story offices, one traditional stilt house used as a cultural hall, and two deteriorated restrooms. After the merger, the commune now has 78 officials, not counting over 20 part-time staff.”

In the remote mountainous Tủa Thàng commune (merged from Tủa Thàng and Huổi Só of the former Tủa Chùa district), conditions are even more difficult. The office, located at the old Huổi Só headquarters, is a run-down one-story building with only three offices, a single-window unit, and a temporary corrugated iron shelter. A new office building is under construction but follows outdated designs made before the two-level administration policy, hence failing to meet current demands.

Given such conditions, it’s nearly impossible to ensure basic working needs, let alone resting or living conditions for officials (many of whom were relocated from former districts or merged communes). As a result, localities have urgently and flexibly arranged workspaces to meet basic requirements during the initial transition and the first days of official operation.

Flexible arrangements

Núa Ngam Commune addressed its limited space by dividing operations between two locations: The main headquarters hosts the Party Committee and People’s Committee; the second site, at the former Hẹ Muông office (7km away), accommodates the People’s Council and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee.

In addition, the stilt-house cultural center was renovated, partitioned into office spaces, for the Public Administrative Service Center and two working rooms for the Economic and Socio-Cultural Divisions.

Vice Chairman Cao Văn Toàn added: “The lower floor of the stilt house had previously been temporarily used by the commune police and health station, who just moved out. In the first few days, our two divisions worked scattered across spaces. We worked day and night to complete renovations, officially moving in on July 8. The rooms remain small, but they’re clean, air-conditioned, and allow staff to work comfortably. The biggest challenges now are auxiliary facilities and accommodations for staff from distant areas.”

Núa Ngam is nearly 20km from the former district center and 15km from the old Na Tông Commune. Some villages are 30-40km away. Around 40 staff members from other districts or remote communes need to stay overnight.

“Currently, we repurposed a temporary room under the stilt house for lunch breaks for about 10 people, prioritizing women. Others nap at their desks or stay with acquaintances. Meals are usually pre-packed or ordered, as there’s no kitchen at the office,” Toàn shared. The commune plans to submit a proposal to the Department of Finance and relevant agencies for funding to build official housing, support facilities, a canteen, and restrooms.

At Tủa Thàng commune, Vừ A Hùng, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council, noted: “We’re lucky to have access to the former Huổi Só Secondary School, which was transferred to the commune. The two-story block with six classrooms has been partitioned into smaller offices. We also borrowed space from the local post office. The old Huổi Só office now houses three offices and the Public Administrative Service Center. At the former Tủa Thàng site, some officials are stationed to handle documents for locals to reduce travel burdens.”

Despite these arrangements, Tủa Thàng still faces a severe shortage of accommodations and facilities. Located over 50km from the district center, more than 30 officials must stay in the commune and can only return home on weekends. Lacking restrooms, water, or resting rooms, the commune currently borrows school boarding facilities and dormitories.

“As the school year approaches, we’re urging contractors to speed up office construction so that school housing can be returned. However, since the building was designed before the merger, the new headquarters still lacks sufficient offices. We’ll continue to use both sites, 700 meters apart, including the former school,” said Hùng.

Tireless commitment

Communes are tackling these infrastructure issues by making the most of what’s available: Repurposing offices, dividing agencies across multiple sites, borrowing neighboring facilities, and temporarily using cultural houses or sports halls as shared working spaces. All this ensures work is not disrupted during the transition.

Despite early hardships, officials and civil servants in merged communes persevere with a spirit of dedication and service, regardless of position or location. Many work across scattered sites, endure challenging commutes, and deal with poor accommodations. Still, they strive to contribute to building effective new local governments.

At Mường Mùn commune (merged from Mường Mùn, Mùn Chung, and Pú Xi in the former Tuần Giáo district), officials must travel 6km to the former Mùn Chung headquarters just for a lunch break before resuming work in the afternoon.
With 81 staff members, Mường Mùn converted its old cultural house into seven offices, and the multipurpose gymnasium into a meeting hall.

“Though traveling between two offices is inconvenient, this is the best available solution. All staff have accepted it cheerfully, knowing we’re working toward a shared goal,” said Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Mường Mùn.

Since the merger, thousands of officials in the province have had to commute long distances to work. With no official housing, many have had to rent. Sềnh A Chơ, from the Inspection Committee of Núa Ngam, was formerly a civil servant in Na Tông Commune. His home is in Huổi Chanh Village, nearly 30km from the new commune center, 10km of which are dirt roads impassable during the rainy season.

“I rent a small house near the office for VND 800,000/month. Only when I’m free on weekends do I return to my family. Even though it adds to my expenses, I need stable accommodations to focus on my work, especially now when the new commune is in its early stages,” said Chơ.

Each official’s commitment contributes to the strength of the new government apparatus, enabling it to overcome early obstacles and operate smoothly and effectively, writing a new chapter for the land of Điện Biên.