Perhaps never before has Điện Biên received such profound, specific, and practical attention as it has in recent years. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (1954 - 2024), thousands of “great unity houses,” “houses of gratitude,” and “comrade houses” were presented to policy-beneficiary families, poor households, and disadvantaged ethnic minority communities. New, spacious, and sturdy houses are gradually appearing in the villages, replacing temporary and dilapidated ones, helping people feel secure against the elements and giving them more faith and strength to rise up and build their lives.

In his new stilt house, still fragrant with fresh paint, in Co Pục village, Thanh Nưa commune, Mr. Cà Văn Minh recalled the days his family lived in their old, dilapidated home. It leaked during the rainy season and was drafty and cold in the winter. In early 2024, under Project 09, Mr. Minh received support to build a new house. On the day construction began, everyone in the village shared in the family’s joy; some contributed labor, others helped with materials, and the sound of laughter mingled with the sounds of sawing and chiseling, enlivening the entire village. The house was completed in a short time. On the day the leaders visited to present gifts and affix the “great unity house” sign, Mr. Minh’s family was as happy as could be.

Recalling that moment, Mr. Minh said emotionally: “In my entire life, I never thought that high-ranking leaders of the Party and State would come to my home to share in my family’s joy. Looking at the new house, I am even more grateful for the help from the government, agencies, organizations, and the people in the village. From now on, my family can focus on our work and raising our children and grandchildren...”

With its high mountainous terrain, Điện Biên often faces flash floods and landslides, especially during the rainy season. The clearest evidence of this was in the final days of July and early August of this year, when heavy rains triggered flash floods that swept through the communes of Xa Dung, Mường Luân, Tìa Dình, Na Son, and Phình Giàng, leaving behind particularly severe consequences. There was heavy damage to people, property, crops, and transport infrastructure. Some areas were completely cut off and isolated.

Upon receiving the news, a plan for rescue, relief, and support for the people was urgently implemented. Thousands of officials and soldiers from the police and army were immediately dispatched, dividing into multiple teams to reach the landslide and deeply flooded areas. They helped people move their property and evacuate to safe places, and transported essential goods (rice, instant noodles, dry rations, drinking water...) to promptly support and stabilize the lives of the affected households. The officials and soldiers braved the dangers, wading through floods to search for missing people amidst treacherous terrain and harsh weather.

When the floods receded, the roads became muddy and filled with sludge; many houses were damaged, littered with rocks and soil. Once again, the armed forces provided timely support to the people. A special program was launched: “30 Days of High Speed - Reaching the Finish Line.” On August 29, 2025, at the Háng Pu Xi resettlement area in Xa Dung commune, a ceremony was held to launch the campaign to build new houses and repair old ones for people in the flood-stricken region. Hundreds of officials and soldiers from the armed forces spread out to the villages, coordinating with the local government and people to level ground, dig foundations, erect frames, and lay roofs. The sounds of saws and hammers mixed with shovels, creating an urgent atmosphere at these “special construction sites” in the highland area.

In just over a month, the goal of building dozens of new houses and repairing hundreds of damaged ones was completed. The new, spacious houses that rose up gave people shelter from the rain and sun, and renewed their strength to stabilize their lives.

Mr. Giàng Trọng Bình, Secretary of the Xa Dung commune Party Committee, shared: “Never before have we seen the spirit of unity and the bond of community here expressed so clearly. In the most difficult times, with the care of the Party and State, the joint efforts of the armed forces, and the hearts of benefactors, new homes have been built. This is a huge motivation for the people of Xa Dung to focus on their work, stabilize their lives, and believe in the future...”

The efforts do not stop at building houses and fighting floods. The compassionate activities from philanthropists, businesses, social organizations, and individual donors have created a bond of fellowship among the people. Millions of gift packages, thousands of bicycles, clothes, and school supplies have been delivered directly to poor students in the highlands; “charity porridge pots” at hospitals and free meals are given to patients in need; charity classes and scholarship funds support students in the remote border regions. All of these have contributed to spreading a warm and loving spirit throughout the community.

Mùa A Vảng, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, affirmed: “At every stage, the province always identifies caring for the people’s lives, eradicating poverty, and ensuring social security as a central and continuous political task. All policies and guidelines are aimed at improving the quality of life for the people, helping them to feel secure in their work and production, and to join hands in building a prosperous and beautiful homeland.”

In the 2020 - 2025 term, Điện Biên completed the support for building permanent houses and “great unity houses,” eliminating over 22,300 temporary and dilapidated homes for poor households. Many social security policies were implemented synchronously and effectively. The province completed the goal of helping the former districts of Tuần Giáo and Mường Ảng escape poverty. The multidimensional poverty rate in 2025 is 17.66%, an average reduction of 3.97% per year.