Currently, 63% of villages across the province still lack these essential facilities, making it difficult to organize public meetings, community activities, and the dissemination of government policies. While these centers are vital for the spiritual life of the people, the reality is that 546 out of 1,446 villages and residential groups are still waiting for a dedicated space to gather.

Over the past few years, the provincial government has intensified socialization efforts to build these centers. In Phăng 1 village within Mường Phăng commune, residents enthusiastically contributed money and labor, but the biggest hurdle was a lack of suitable land. This was solved when the family of Lò Văn Diện voluntarily donated 800 square meters of land, prompting several neighbors to follow suit.

According to Lường Văn Đại, the village head, the state provided 200 million VND for a 100-square-meter building, while all auxiliary items were funded through community contributions. Similarly, in Na Ten village of Sam Mứn commune, a new community house worth 450 million VND was inaugurated in 2022. Quàng Văn Yên, a local resident, noted that before this facility existed, all village affairs had to be conducted at the village head’s private home, which was highly inconvenient.

Local authorities have also proactively sought support from businesses and organizations. The former Điện Biên Đông district serves as a standout example, as it mobilized resources to build 150 community houses between 2020 and 2025. This achievement made it the first locality in the province to completely eliminate “white spots” where no cultural houses existed. To date, 900 villages and residential groups province-wide have been invested with decent community houses, including 204 facilities that are fully equipped through ethnic minority socio-economic development programs.

Despite these successes, the lack of uniformity remains a significant challenge. In Phìn Hồ village of Si Pa Phìn commune, 178 Mông households have been without a functional meeting space for nearly four years because their original wooden community house became too degraded to use. Cháng A Dung, the village party secretary, emphasized that this lack of space directly impacts community cohesion, forcing residents to borrow private homes for official meetings. In the border commune of Mường Nhà, half of the 28 villages still lack community houses. Thào A Di, head of C5 village, explained that his community has been waiting for such an investment for over 20 years since they first settled near the border.

Furthermore, many existing facilities suffer from a “shell without a core” syndrome, where buildings are constructed but lack basic equipment like sound systems, tables, and chairs. This results in limited usage and wastes investment resources. The primary causes for this ongoing shortage include limited state funding, a lack of available land, and the difficult economic conditions of residents in certain areas which make public contributions challenging. Additionally, the complex terrain and difficult transportation in highland areas often slow down construction progress.

Perfecting this system is an urgent task that requires not only state budget allocation but also a stronger role for the public in both building and managing these community assets.