In 2024, amidst a mix of favorable conditions, challenges, and difficulties, Dien Bien province continued to achieve significant results in various fields, with an annual economic growth rate (GRDP) of 8.51%.

National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 is a significant cultural, economic, and social event at both national and international levels, especially in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

Economic growth higher than the national average

According to the General Statistics Office, Dien Bien’s economic growth rate reached 8.51%. Although this did not meet the set target (above 10.5%), it was higher than the national average (7.09%), demonstrating the determination and resolute efforts of the entire political system in implementing assigned tasks. The economic structure has shifted positively, with the industrial production index (IIP) increasing by 24.37%, tourism revenue rising 1.88 times, and total retail sales of goods growing by 24.44% compared to 2023. Agricultural production remained stable. Investment promotion activities, along with efforts to improve the business environment, continued to receive attention.

In 2024, Dien Bien successfully coordinated and organized numerous political, economic, cultural, sports, and tourism events, as well as major national and provincial celebrations, with a focus on the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and activities for National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024. These events attracted nationwide and international attention, providing an opportunity to promote the land and people of Dien Bien.

Poverty reduction efforts have yielded positive results, with the poverty rate decreasing by 4.39% compared to 2023, bringing it down to 21.29%. Social welfare policies were implemented in a timely and effective manner, supporting the construction and repair of over 7,300 houses for poor households and those affected by natural disasters (including 5,000 Great Solidarity Houses under Project 09 of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee). Additionally, rural electrification projects connected to the national grid were actively implemented, aiming to provide electricity for household and production use to approximately 5,093 households in 110 villages across 47 communes in seven districts. National border sovereignty remained secure, political security and social order were ensured, and international cooperation and foreign relations continued to expand.

Many "bottlenecks" and "knots" in the socio-economic development of Dien Bien have been and are gradually being removed. The project to upgrade and expand Dien Bien Airport is one of many key projects and works that create momentum for the socio-economic development of the province.

In recent times, many obstacles in Dien Bien’s socioeconomic development have gradually been resolved, creating favorable conditions for economic growth. The province has implemented and completed several key projects that serve as development catalysts, such as the Dien Bien Airport upgrade and expansion project, the 60-meter road and its infrastructure framework, the multi-disaster management project for the Nam Rom River basin, Thanh Binh Bridge project, the Martyrs’ Temple at the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Panorama painting project.

Dien Bien has taken decisive actions in administrative reform and improving the investment environment to unlock resources and attract investments in urban infrastructure, trade, tourism, agriculture, forestry, and energy sectors. Simultaneously, efforts are focused on poverty reduction and ensuring social welfare, particularly in highland and border areas, to gradually improve the material and spiritual well-being of the people while maintaining stability in political security and social order.

However, Dien Bien still faces numerous difficulties and limitations that hinder its development, such as the lack of synchronized infrastructure and low-quality human resources. Infrastructure for relocating provincial government agencies to the new political-administrative center is facing financial constraints. Some investment projects in urban infrastructure, tourism services, and agriculture-forestry sectors are experiencing delays, postponements, or stagnation. These pressing issues require serious acknowledgment and prompt resolution by provincial and local authorities, especially top leaders, to overcome these challenges.

Targeting economic growth above 10.5% in 2025

2025 marks the final year of implementing the resolutions of the Party congresses at all levels, the 14th Dien Bien Provincial Party Congress, and the five-year socioeconomic development plan for 2021-2025. It is also the year leading up to the 14th National Party Congress. Amidst both opportunities and challenges, the province has set higher development goals, aiming for an economic growth rate above 10.5%, local budget revenue of VND 2.062 trillion, and total social investment capital of approximately VND 28 trillion. These targets aim to lay a crucial foundation for gradually realizing the ambition of making Dien Bien a relatively developed province in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region and a regional center for tourism, services, healthcare, education, and culture.

Secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee Tran Quoc Cuong delivered directives at the conference.

At the conference, Secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee Tran Quoc Cuong emphasized that to achieve the 2025 objectives, it is crucial to closely follow the content of Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW (February 10, 2022) of the Politburo, as well as resolutions of the National Assembly and Government, and Dien Bien's Provincial Plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050. The province must mobilize all resources, leverage the unity and heroic traditions of Dien Bien Phu, and work together with determination to achieve the 2025 economic growth target of over 10.5%, contributing to the nation’s broader aspirations for development in this new era.

Urgent and decisive efforts are required to restructure the political system at the provincial level following Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW. This includes formulating a plan to reorganize provincial and district-level agencies to ensure seamless operations immediately after restructuring decisions take effect, creating a more streamlined and efficient administrative system. Additionally, leadership and direction should be strengthened to ensure successful organization of the provincial and district Party congresses leading up to the 15th Provincial Party Congress and the 14th National Party Congress.

A detailed and feasible economic growth strategy for 2025 must be developed, with specific breakthrough measures to achieve economic targets. This includes effectively implementing the Provincial Plan for 2021-2030 and the General Plan for Dien Bien Phu City until 2045 upon approval.

The province must complete key projects such as roads connecting economic hubs along National Highways 279 and 12, the Nam Rom River multi-disaster management project, and the first phase of the Son La - Dien Bien - Tay Trang Expressway. Procedures for officially opening the A Pa Chai - Long Phu bilateral border gate should be completed by Q4 2025, and infrastructure projects linking Dien Bien Phu City to the A Pa Chai border gate should be proposed. Efforts must also be made to accelerate the implementation of the “Rural Electrification from the National Grid - Brightening Dien Bien” program and projects under the master plan for the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Localities should proactively implement national target programs and eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing before the 15th Provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term.

The province should actively collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Training to complete procedures for Prime Ministerial approval of the establishment of Dien Bien Phu University, while also partnering with other universities for higher education programs in the province.

Efforts to modernize public administration, improve the business environment, and enhance provincial competitiveness should continue. The province should also maintain close coordination with businesses and investors, proactively addressing difficulties in project implementation and creating the most favorable conditions for enterprises and citizens in their production and business activities.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Thanh Do concluded the conference by urging agencies and localities to promptly implement action plans from the beginning of the year, ensuring the highest possible achievement of assigned objectives.

At the end of the conference, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Thanh Do suggested: "To effectively carry out the assigned tasks, the Provincial People's Committee, departments, branches, agencies and units need to be more closely involved and closely follow the grassroots; proactively, promptly and flexibly resolve and remove difficulties and obstacles in performing tasks; continue to promote democracy and concentrate intelligence in directing and operating. After this conference, departments, branches and localities must focus on developing implementation plans right from the first months of the year, ensuring the highest level of completion of assigned tasks and targets. Regarding some recommendations of the units, the Provincial People's Committee acknowledged and assigned departments and branches to proactively study and consider handling them according to their authority"./. 

Source: Industry and Trade Magazine