The A1-C4 Nam Thanh playground in Mường Thanh ward was completed and opened in March 2022. Yet after just three years in use, many of its fitness machines are already rusty, scratched, and even bent out of shape to the point of being unusable. Some broken equipment has been out of order for a long time without being repaired or replaced.

Even within the playground’s grounds, a commemorative plaque marking the 30th anniversary of Điện Biên Phủ city’s establishment (April 18, 1992 - April 18, 2022) is in a shabby condition. Its surface is scratched, lettering peeling off, and edges chipped. What was once a meaningful symbol of the city’s development is now a visible testament to neglect in managing and protecting public property.

Phạm Đình Minh, 65, a resident of Mường Thanh ward, said he walks in the area every day. “I want to try some of the outdoor exercise equipment, but seeing how rusty and bent they are, I don’t dare to because I’m afraid it’s unsafe. Many times after walking I want to rest on a bench, but some are broken and tied together with wire. I’m afraid I might fall over if I sit down.”

Similar deterioration is seen at other public spaces such as the Khe Chít 1 resettlement area in former Noong Bua ward and Residential Group No.6 in former Him Lam ward. Facilities that were expected to become vibrant community spaces for improving health and strengthening social bonds now leave residents uneasy when visiting. The concerning part is that these problems have existed for a long time without timely repair.

Acknowledging the situation, Trần Huy Hòa, Head of the Economic, Infrastructure, and Urban Office of Mường Thanh ward, admitted that some facilities have been damaged for extended periods without repair. He noted that before the implementation of the two-tier local government model, he served as a Điện Biên Phủ city People’s Council deputy and directly inspected many public spaces, recording numerous issues involving damaged sports facilities, landscaping, and lighting systems. “Now, after the change in administrative organization, our office is reviewing all damaged public facilities in parks and playgrounds to propose appropriate resource allocation to the ward. We will also strengthen cooperation with residential groups to encourage residents to protect shared assets for long-term use,” he said.

Before the restructuring of local government, Điện Biên Phủ city had four parks and five public playgrounds under direct city-level management, including the Võ Thị Sáu Park (4.6 hectares), Văn Cao Park (0.67 hectares), Hoàng Vân Park (0.34 hectares), and Vừ A Dính Park (0.74 hectares). The five public playgrounds were located in densely populated areas such as the City Square, former Him Lam ward, former Nam Thanh ward, former Noong Bua ward, and the resettlement area of Project No.1 for the expansion of the Điện Biên Airport.

According to Decision No.439/QĐ-UBND dated April 22, 2019, the former Điện Biên Phủ city’s Economic, Infrastructure, and Urban Office was assigned to manage public parks and playgrounds, while ward-level People’s Committees were responsible for safeguarding assets and coordinating their use. However, in practice, shortcomings in management and operation have persisted for years without decisive solutions.

Hoa pointed out that the main causes are limited maintenance funding and occasional lack of coordination between functional departments. In addition, some residents have low awareness of preserving public property, contributing to damage and diminished aesthetics. While the causes are clear, accountability remains undefined. The lack of coordinated management, upkeep, and repair among responsible bodies has delayed necessary interventions. Meanwhile, residents, the direct beneficiaries, have not been effective in monitoring and safeguarding these assets.

To restore the value and effectiveness of public facilities, local authorities must adopt concrete, decisive, and coordinated measures. First, the entire management framework should be reviewed to clearly define the responsibilities of each entity in operating, maintaining, and repairing parks and playgrounds. Regular inspections and strict accountability should be enforced for any negligence leading to prolonged damage. Funding should be allocated for periodic upkeep, planting more greenery, upgrading sanitation facilities, and installing safety lighting and regulation signage.

In the long term, the role of residents in monitoring and protecting public property should be enhanced through the creation of self-management models in neighborhoods with parks and playgrounds. Most importantly, each individual should view safeguarding public facilities not only as a duty but also as a reflection of a cultured and civilized community lifestyle.