In the Spring of 2026, the community of Phiêng Lơi village in Điện Biên Phủ ward launched their campaign with a strong political commitment, where every cadre and youth member led the charge to cover bare hillsides. Currently, the city is focusing its resources on managing over 7,000 trees and protecting 1,461 hectares of forest. Lường Văn Muôn, the head of Phiêng Lơi village, noted with pride that residents have made forest protection a self-conscious habit, moving beyond just planting to actively maintaining the greenery as a core part of their lifestyle.

For a province where forestry land covers 62% of the natural area and feeds three major river systems, the Đà, Mã, and Mekong, these forests are an indispensable environmental pillar. Under the national “One Billion Trees” project from 2021 to 2025, Điện Biên achieved a comprehensive victory by planting over 16.2 million trees, reaching a staggering 421% of the original target. This movement has transformed public perception, positioning the forest not just as a “green lung” but as a vital source of livelihood and a barrier against climate change. By the end of 2025, the province’s forest cover reached 45.52%, successfully meeting the goals set by the provincial Party resolution.

In many parts of Điện Biên, forests thrive not because of steel fences but because of the deep-seated respect for traditional laws. In Cấu village of Mường Chà, the community even carved an 8-kilometer road through rugged cliffs to facilitate patrols. Tao Văn Vin, a respected figure in the village, describes the forest as a “treasure” and a “lifeline” that has nurtured generations. The management system here is highly organized, with the forest divided into sections assigned to specific families. While families can collect dry wood for fuel, arbitrary logging is strictly forbidden, and any integrated farming, such as growing medicinal plants under the canopy, must not harm the trees. Although penalty systems for violators exist, Lèng Văn Sun, the village head, observed that they haven’t had to issue a fine in years because everyone remains self-disciplined.

Protecting 438,178 hectares of forested land across treacherous terrain is a monumental task that requires immense resilience. In 2025 alone, the province organized over 1,000 dissemination sessions, resulting in nearly 50,000 people signing formal protection commitments. Hà Lương Hồng, Director of the provincial Forest Protection Division, shared that rangers often spend days on patrol, eating and sleeping in the deep woods to maintain control over key areas.

This human endurance is now bolstered by a major push for digital transformation. The department has integrated satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of forest fluctuations alongside early warning systems for fires. With the help of drones and AI-integrated sensors on automatic warning signs, rangers can now detect risks far more efficiently than before. As new seedlings quietly sprout on the mountain slopes, the combined efforts of the government, technology, and the people ensure that the green of the highlands will be passed down through the generations as a lasting legacy of responsibility.