Capital allocated and progress accelerated

In 2026, Điện Biên received a total capital plan of VND 2,292,150 million from the Prime Minister to implement multi-level boarding school projects in border areas. Within this, VND 1,422,150 million was assigned under Decision No.379/QĐ-TTg for nine ongoing projects, while VND 870,000 million was provided under Decision No.400/QĐ-TTg for five newly initiated projects, though detailed allocation for each specific new project is still being finalized.

As soon as the funding decisions were issued, the province directed its departments and local authorities to quickly complete legal dossiers, aiming to finalize all necessary conditions by late March and early April to distribute the capital and put it into practice. This is considered a vital factor for maintaining a stable construction rhythm and preventing any interruptions due to a lack of funds.

On the ground, 10 out of 15 projects have already completed the approval process, contractor selection, and construction organization. Among these, one project has been inaugurated, while nine others are currently implementing land leveling, foundation work, and building structures. Site clearance has basically met requirements with a handover rate of 95% to 100%. The remaining five newly started projects are focusing on speeding up the preparation, appraisal, and approval of investment projects to serve as a basis for capital allocation and the start of construction.

In terms of resources, out of the VND 682,550 million total capital allocated for 10 projects in 2025, VND 654,073 million had been disbursed by January 31, 2026, reaching 95.83% of the plan. This high disbursement rate indicates that the projects are already in full swing, creating a solid foundation for the acceleration phase in 2026.

Intensity at construction sites

At the construction site of the multi-level boarding primary and secondary school in Thanh Nưa commune, the atmosphere is frantic with excavators and trucks operating continuously. This project has a total investment of VND 224.4 billion, covering an area of 5.39 hectares to serve about 1,000 students. In 2025, the project was allocated VND 56,100 million, which was fully disbursed, but the actual construction value has already reached VND 93,184 million, exceeding the advance payment provided to the contractor.

Bùi Đức Thuân, Construction Manager for Construction and Trade Company No.6, stated that the total completed volume has reached about 65% of the plan. Although the province set a deadline for June 30, the unit aims to finish by May 30. To achieve this, they are organizing three shifts and four crews with approximately 380 workers on-site, focusing on completing major items and infrastructure before the rainy season. However, the contractor is facing a significant labor shortage; with the urgent pace, the need could rise to 500 people. Consequently, the unit has increased wages for high-performing teams and coordinated with local authorities to recruit local labor while providing advance pay to retain workers.

Similarly, projects in Thanh Yên commune and Núa Ngam commune managed by the Area 2 Project Management and Land Fund Development Board have reached 44% to 45% of their total volume. Both projects have fully disbursed their 2025 capital. Each site maintains nearly 200 workers and various equipment such as rollers, cranes, and transport vehicles. Chu Đình Hùng, Acting Director of the management board, noted that progress is under heavy pressure from rising material prices, a local labor shortage, and the approaching rainy season. To respond, the owner has requested contractors to accelerate work during favorable weather and prepare flexible plans. When the rain starts, units will shift to indoor tasks like plastering and roofing to maintain the overall pace. Despite the obstacles, contractors are committed to overcoming difficulties to fulfill their signed contracts.

Proactive problem solving and community consensus

The five projects newly started on March 19 are also being prioritized for procedural completion. In Mường Pồn commune, the boarding school project covers 6.5 hectares and involves the production land of 76 households. Immediately after the groundbreaking, the project owner and local government began site clearance procedures, a prerequisite for keeping the project on schedule. To date, measurement and inventory work are complete, with residents showing high consensus for the policy.

Trần Mạnh Minh, Vice Chairman of the Mường Pồn commune People’s Committee, stated that the local government has acted with high responsibility in organizing site clearance to ensure the construction timeline. The committee coordinated with village management boards and consultants to hold meetings with residents, resulting in 100% of the households signing the clearance documents. The commune continues to coordinate the creation of compensation plans according to regulations.

With capital allocated and the rainy season nearing, these works are entering a peak construction phase. The current requirement is to accelerate progress while maintaining a stable rhythm amidst volatile factors, ensuring that the projects can be completed as planned and ready to serve the new school year.