For Điện Biên - a mountainous locality still facing numerous difficulties, fragmented terrain, and unevenly distributed populations - digital transformation serves not only as an inevitable trend but also as a vital solution to narrow development gaps and bring essential services closer to the people.

In recent years, alongside the entire country, Điện Biên has designated digital transformation as a key task to boost socio-economic development. The synchronous deployment of digital government, digital economy, and digital society pillars has step-by-step yielded clear shifts within administrative operations and public life. From the provincial to grassroots-levels, numerous digital platforms have been put into effective operation. The administrative procedure settlement information system is connected synchronously with the National Public Service Portal, 100 percent of electronic documents are digitally signed, and the Intelligent Operation Center (IOC) step-by-step promotes effectiveness in supporting leadership and governance based on digital databases.

Concurrently, IT and telecommunications-based broadcasting systems deployed across most communes and wards help transmit information rapidly and accurately to every village. Local electronic portals and official Zalo accounts have also turned into bridges between local authorities and citizens, helping elevate transparency, openness, and digital interaction. These achievements demonstrate that digital transformation is no longer a story confined to management agencies, but is step-by-step changing how public services are delivered toward faster, more convenient, and more effective methods.

One factor contributing to elevated service quality is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to administrative tasks. Under the two-tier local government model, work volume at many agencies has increased significantly while personnel quotas are streamlined, demanding innovative working methods to ensure task progress and quality. Driven by this practical need, the Department of Science and Technology has organized multiple training courses on AI applications for cadres, civil servants, and public employees. Beyond introducing new tools, training sessions guide cadres on leveraging AI for document processing, information synthesis, report drafting, legal research, and other administrative tasks. When used properly, AI becomes an effective support tool that reduces task processing time, minimizes errors, elevates advisory quality, and improves service delivery for citizens and enterprises.

Nguyễn Trọng Chiến, Head of the Office for Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation under the Department of Science and Technology, stated: “Training sessions not only help cadres access regulations related to artificial intelligence but also guide practical AI application to resolve work bottlenecks, contributing to elevating task execution efficiency at each agency and unit.”

While digital transformation elevates governance efficiency at the provincial level, grassroots-level residents are clearly sensing utilities when applying technology to administrative procedures. At commune-level public administrative service centers, technological equipment has been invested to serve public information lookups and administrative procedures. Featuring internet-connected touchscreens and specialized software, citizens can proactively look up information and execute operations that previously required direct guidance from cadres. For many highland residents, initial exposure to technology inevitably brings unfamiliarity. However, through a hands-on approach, commune cadres have step-by-step assisted residents in getting accustomed to smartphones, utilizing digital platforms, and building skills to perform online public services. Moving from in-person procedures, many people can now proactively search for information, submit dossiers, or track processing progress right within digital environments, narrowing the gap between authorities and citizens, particularly in remote and isolated areas.

Beyond the administrative sphere, digital technology opens up new economic development opportunities for residents. The rapid growth of the internet, social networks, and e-commerce has enabled individuals and business households to reach broader customer bases without requiring excessive capital investment. Currently, online selling and product livestreaming have become familiar practices across many localities in the province. Equipped with a smartphone and internet connectivity, numerous individuals have constructed effective sales channels ranging from consumer goods, cosmetics, and fashion to local agricultural items. No longer restricted to traditional markets, Điện Biên products are step-by-step reaching consumers nationwide through digital platforms.

For OCOP products and characteristic agricultural produce, listing on e-commerce platforms expands consumption markets while elevating brand value. Through online platforms, consumers gain better access to origin information, production processes, and product quality, while production entities get accustomed to modern business methods. Accompanying cooperatives and production households, functional departments and sectors have organized training sessions, guided digital storefront creation, promoted products, supported sales livestreams, and step-by-step elevated digital business skills. This serves as a vital foundation for Điện Biên agricultural products to expand markets, increase competitiveness, and generate additional income for local people. Practical reality shows that digital transformation extends beyond applying technology to management operations, actively creating distinct shifts across social life. When administrative procedures are processed faster, information reaches citizens promptly, cadres gain tools to support work, and residents enjoy economic development opportunities on digital platforms, the effectiveness of digital transformation is affirmed through tangible benefits.

However, achieving sustainable digital transformation effectiveness requires further work. Digital infrastructure in remote areas needs continued investment, digital skills among residents - especially ethnic minorities - require elevation, and cadres must regularly update knowledge to master emerging technologies. These represent essential conditions for digital technology to truly become a development driver.

Driven by the determination of the entire political system alongside the partnership of citizens and enterprises, digital transformation in Điện Biên is step-by-step deepening. When technology is applied in the right direction with citizens placed at the center of all activities, local authorities will deliver increasingly effective service, contributing to building a modern, transparent administration while generating momentum to promote socio-economic growth and improve public living standards.