3:29:53 PM | 12/19/2025
From a mountainous province facing many challenges, Dien Bien is confidently transforming and establishing a new position in regional development and international integration. With a strategy centered on three pillars of trade, exports, and green energy, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien is building the foundation for a new phase of strong growth.
Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dien Bien Province Pham Duc Toan speaking at a conference meeting businesses and investors to implement energy projects in the province
“We have clearly identified that to develop rapidly and sustainably we must build from the foundation of trade and logistics infrastructure, export markets and renewable energy. These will be the main growth drivers for Dien Bien in the coming period,” said Vu Hong Son, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade.
Infrastructure breakthroughs, export expansion, energy development
Previously, Dien Bien lacked a systematic infrastructure network but the situation has changed. The province has planned 16 industrial clusters and more than 40 markets, supermarkets and commercial centers and is constructing a regional logistics center linked to economic corridors such as National Highway 12, National Highway 279 and the Son La-Dien Bien expressway. At the same time eight logistics centers are being planned, laying the groundwork for a large-scale distribution and circulation network.
Dien Bien also has strategic border gates such as Tay Trang, Huoi Puoc and A Pa Chai, which act as “economic windows” toward Laos and China. In 2024 the province’s export value reached US$93.35 million, exceeding the planned target by 6.08%. The main export items include agricultural products (seed corn, dried cardamom) and construction materials (various types of steel, ceramic tiles, cement). The province is finalizing procedures to upgrade the A Pa Chai-Long Phu border gate to a bilateral international gate by 2026, opening direct export opportunities to Yunnan (China) and affirming Dien Bien’s role in the expanded Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS).
Beyond hydropower, which includes 22 plants with a total capacity of over 319 MW, Dien Bien is making a strong shift toward solar, wind, and biomass energy. By 2030, the province aims to reach 3,000 MW of renewable energy capacity, along with coordinated investment in 110 kV, 220 kV, and 500 kV transmission grids to ensure regional connectivity and prevent local overloads.
Green growth, businesses center-stage
By 2030 the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien aims for industrial production value to grow 18.5% per year; to achieve export turnover of US$153 million; to raise the proportion of households using the national grid to over 99%; and to reach total retail sales of goods of VND53,000 billion. The province is also accelerating digital transformation, e-commerce, strengthening market management and consumer protection, and linking trade development with consumption of agricultural produce and signature One Commune One Product (OCOP) goods of the highland region.
With the motto “business-centered service”, the Department of Industry and Trade is proactively removing obstacles related to land, power supply and administrative procedures, facilitating market access and especially encouraging firms to invest in clean energy, agricultural processing and export.
From a historic region on the far western frontier of the country, Dien Bien is now advancing strongly. Trade infrastructure is gradually being completed, exports are stabilizing and green energy is opening a sustainable future. With provincial determination and the efforts of the Department of Industry and Trade, Dien Bien is establishing itself as an energy hub, export gateway and attractive investment destination in the Northwest region.
By Ha Thanh, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
