Dien Bien on the way forward
Dien Bien is striving to push through administrative reform with the aim of quickly escaping from poverty and moving towards prosperity.
May 7 is a good time for people across the country to look towards Dien Bien Phu and for the Dien Bien provincial Party and administration to review what they have achieved in developing the province. A VOV reporter interviewed Dinh Tien Dung, chairman of the Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee.
VOV: What’s your evaluation of the province’s socio-economic development over the past years since the 55th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory?
Mr Dung: In the past year, the Party and State focused a lot of investment on provincial social welfare. Early in 2009 the province already set 7 key tasks and 85 measures to promote its socio-economic development and at the end of the year, Dien Bien’s growth rate reached 12.3 percent, one year ahead of time with its competitive index jumping from 63 to 27.
Dinh Tien Dung
The province has mobilised all available sources to carry out socio-economic development tasks, including a programme to plant rubber. Last year the province planted 600ha of rubber and is expected to raise this to 1,000ha this year. In the initial period, it developed a model for rubber plantations, regarded as a revolution in agricultural and rural development since local people had to change and shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one.
Also worthy of note is that the Dien Bien cement plant came into operation on schedule with an annual output of 370,000 tonnes, enough for consumption in the province and its surrounding areas. Other projects, such as a commercial centre, sports centre, the 05-06 centre and the SOS children’s village were also completed on time.
With a convenient transport system from Dien Bien Phu to Son La – Lai Chau to Apa Chai and Tay Trang, Dien Bien has become a hub in the region.
Regarding culture and education, the province has done the utmost to ensure that all children have junior high school education. It has sent many officials to study in the country and abroad.
Priority is also given to accelerating the implementation of healthcare projects, such as building a provincial hospital and health centres at grassroots level. It is currently focused on providing local people with free medical check-ups.
What also attracts a lot of attention from visitors is the resettlement of those living by the Son La hydro-electric power project.
Reporter: Could you elaborate on Dien Bien’s development plans for the future?
Mr Dung: Dien Bien is now facing numerous difficulties. However, the province has enormous potential for developing thanks to its vast expanse of land. In the immediate period, Dien Bien will draw up a zoning plan for rural development, with a focus on land management.
With investment from various central agencies, the province is implementing a pilot project to develop new urban areas in Thanh Chan commune in Dien Bien district. It is also concentrating on developing the forestry sector, especially forestation projects and protecting the rainforest.
VOV: What about Dien Bien’s potential for developing tourism?
Mr Dung: Dien Bien has many historical sites, especially the Muong Thanh rice field which still holds many reminders of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. In addition, Dien Bien has many ethnic minority groups, who add more colour to the province’s cultural identity.
Visitors nowadays can travel to Dien Bien by road, rail or air. The province is developing its infrastructure and submitting a zoning plan for urban development in eastern and north-eastern parts of Dien Bien Phu City, where it is less mountainous and has fewer historical sites. We are poised to preserve them at any cost while boosting local development.
VOV: In your opinion, what are the decisive factors in helping Dien Bien fulfill its socio-economic development targets?
Mr Dung: I think, the organisational work and direction are the decisive factors. Currently, Dien Bien is actively carrying out administrative reforms and promoting emulation movements in order to escape from poverty, build itself into a prosperous province with its diverse cultural value while ensuring political stability and security.
VOV: Thank you.