Taking the lead, tackling tough tasks

Following administrative consolidation, Nậm Nèn commune now comprises 18 villages with more than 1,400 households. With a vast area, scattered population, and ongoing socio-economic challenges, maintaining environmental sanitation has proven difficult. In response, local authorities have identified mobilizing the entire community as a key solution, with each household acting as a “core unit” in protecting the living environment.

Promoting their role, young people in Nậm Nèn commune have carried out a range of environmental protection activities, including cleaning village roads, clearing drainage systems, planting flowers along roadsides, and collecting waste. Among these efforts, the “Green house” model initiated by the commune’s Youth Union has delivered practical results.

Using materials such as corrugated iron sheets, steel, and metal frames, and built by the hands of local youths, each “Green house” is simply designed with an average area of about 2 square meters. To facilitate the collection of plastic bottles and cans, the structures have been installed at three school sites and two administrative offices across the commune.

Hạng Thị Chua, Secretary of the Nậm Nèn commune Youth Union, said that in 2025, the model generated over VND 5 million through collecting and selling recyclable waste. The fund has been reinvested in activities supporting students and the community. “In the second quarter, we plan to expand to three more collection points, helping maintain waste sorting, recycling habits, and environmental awareness among residents”, she added.

In communes such as Xa Dung, Na Son, Tìa Dình, and Mường Luân, severe damage was caused by floods in late July and early August 2025. Joining hands with authorities in disaster recovery, the Điện Biên provincial Youth Union mobilized more than 1,500 young volunteers, including 12 commune-level volunteer teams with around 200 members providing on-site support.

As one of the hardest-hit areas by flash floods, youths in Xa Dung commune quickly stepped in to assist recovery efforts. Urgent priorities included restoring schools in time for the new academic year, helping rebuild homes, clearing debris, and reopening roads and waterways. The blue shirts of youth volunteers became a familiar sight across remote villages, supporting residents in overcoming hardship.

In the early months of 2026, Xa Dung commune Youth Union has continued implementing meaningful projects, demonstrating strong commitment and enthusiasm in local development. Notable efforts include building over 70 meters of concrete road leading to Chua Ta Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minorities, and installing 55 solar-powered lighting poles in villages such as Xa Dung C and Thẩm Mý A, B.

Nguyễn Đình Toản, Deputy Secretary of the Xa Dung commune Party Committee, said youth-led projects have brought tangible benefits to the community, contributing to social welfare, improving living standards, and transforming rural areas. These efforts have also motivated local authorities and residents to accelerate progress toward meeting new-style rural development criteria.

Building sustainable new-style rural areas

In recent years, the Điện Biên provincial Youth Union has launched numerous practical programs to promote the pioneering role of youths in building new-style rural areas. Communication efforts have been especially strengthened in remote and hard-to-reach areas, focusing on localities working toward meeting new-style rural standards. Youth union members have actively participated in infrastructure development, landscape improvement, economic growth, cultural life building, and maintaining local security and order.

Lò Xuân Hạnh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, said that each year, Youth Union organizations at all levels register to undertake a wide range of social welfare projects. These include building rural roads, repairing cultural houses, irrigation canals and rural bridges, constructing charity houses, creating playgrounds for children, planting trees, and protecting the environment.

In 2025, Youth Union units across the province mobilized resources to build three rural bridges, install lighting along 18.5km of rural roads, repair 110km of roads, and carry out more than 250 activities contributing to new-style rural development. They also supported two villages - Nà Bủng 3 in Nà Bủng commune and Cuông village in Tuần Giáo commune-in meeting new-style rural criteria. Since early 2026, additional rural lighting projects totaling 2.7km have been implemented, along with many other meaningful initiatives.

Quàng Thị Nguyệt, Secretary of the Mường Pồn commune Youth Union, shared: “Participating in Youth Union activities not only helps young people develop themselves but also makes our villages cleaner and more organized. Seeing concrete roads, green trees, street lighting, and playgrounds built by youth efforts makes us truly proud.”

To further improve the quality and effectiveness of the movement “Youths join hands in building new-style rural areas,” Lò Xuân Hạnh noted that among the 19 national criteria, Youth Union organizations can contribute to nearly all. However, focusing on specific, suitable tasks will help maximize the strengths and potential of local youth.

With the motto “Each Youth Union branch undertakes one project, each young member contributes one practical action,” youths of Điện Biên continue to innovate communication efforts, raise awareness, and take on appropriate initiatives. They are also supporting access to funding, transferring technology, developing economic models, and mobilizing broader social participation to ensure sustainable outcomes.