These projects are the result of a joint effort between the government, mass organizations, businesses, and local residents. From central thoroughfares to small village alleys, lighting systems are being expanded step by step, with a particular focus on highland and border regions.

Beyond serving basic travel needs, these lighting systems contribute significantly to ensuring security and order while transforming daily habits and creating healthy community spaces. Based on early successes, many localities have treated this as a practical task suited to the specific conditions of mountainous rural areas. In early 2026, the residents of Thanh Hà village in Thanh Yên commune joyfully completed their own project, installing 43 solar-powered lights along nearly 2km of main roads and small alleys to serve 133 households. Since the system went live, evening activities in the village have seen a major shift as children play freely and adults walk or exercise while chatting together, making the atmosphere much more vibrant. This specific project was a collaboration between the village and the commune Veterans’ Association, with a total cost of over VND 70 million, of which residents contributed VND 49 million while the remainder was supported by businesses and philanthropists.

Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Head of Thanh Hà village, noted that while residents were initially concerned about costs and equipment quality, the partnership with the Veterans’ Association and reputable suppliers provided the necessary oversight to ensure community consensus. Currently, Thanh Yên commune boasts five such socialization-funded projects, each featuring at least 30 lights.

Sam Mứn commune has also prioritized lighting projects to improve living standards and security. Since transitioning to the two-level local government model, the commune has actively connected various resources to invest in lighting for border villages. In the Na Ư area, all six villages have been “covered” by the “Lighting Up the Border” model, with 15 solar lights installed per village. Most recently, in early April 2026, projects in Na Láy and Púng Bửa were officially inaugurated. These border models were made possible through external charitable funding combined with the participation of local forces during installation. Meanwhile, in the former Pom Lót area, approximately 85% of village lanes in 14 hamlets already utilize grid-based lighting, with residents contributing monthly electricity fees.

In Na Ư village, a road spanning over 1km leading to the concentrated residential area has been lit since mid-January 2026. This project involved multiple stakeholders as the commune government sourced the equipment, the Na Ư Semi-boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities funded the lamp posts, and the Border Post of the Tây Trang International Border Gate worked alongside residents to provide the labor for installation.

Ly A Pó, a resident of Na Ư village, shared that the lights have made evening travel much safer and encouraged more frequent cultural and recreational activities. Lê Ngọc Hoàn, Vice Chairman of the commune People’s Committee, explained that the commune selects solutions based on local conditions, prioritizing solar lights for highland areas with complex terrain to reduce operating costs, while encouraging grid-based lighting in central villages where conditions are more favorable.

These illuminated routes help mitigate security risks and provide the necessary environment for community sports and cultural exchanges to be maintained regularly. Given the practical benefits, the “Lighting Up the Countryside” movement is spreading across many localities through flexible mobilization of diverse resources. Beyond resident contributions, many projects are funded by businesses and charitable organizations from both within and outside the province. Local party committees, governments, and organizations like the Women’s Union and the Veterans’ Association - particularly the Youth Unions at all levels - have played a core role in connecting these resources and directly participating in construction. Many projects bear the distinct mark of the youth, who handle everything from surveying and transporting materials to erecting poles and installing lights.

As Điện Biên continues to perfect its New-style Rural criteria, expanding these models remains a highly effective path toward modernizing infrastructure and improving the quality of life, creating a sustainable foundation for development in this border territory.