With strong political will and the unity of the provincial Party Committee, authorities, and all ethnic groups, Lai Châu is entering a new era with a vision of green, rapid, and sustainable development.

The Standing Committee of the Lai Châu Provincial Party Committee, 15th Congress, 2025–2030 term, presented flowers of gratitude to Comrade Giàng Páo Mỷ, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the 14th Provincial Party Committee. 

Building on Important Achievements

The 2020–2025 term marked significant breakthroughs for Lai Châu across all fields, overcoming numerous difficulties and challenges, particularly the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Party building in politics, ideology, and ethics witnessed positive changes. Party committees at all levels upheld principles of organization and operation, improved the quality of Party activities, and enhanced political and ideological education throughout the provincial Party. Propaganda content and methods were strongly renewed; the study and dissemination of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws were implemented in a creative and effective manner, safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation. The movement to study and follow the ideology, morality, and style of Hồ Chí Minh was linked with building a clean and strong Party, deployed comprehensively and with practical results.

In terms of organization, Lai Châu resolutely streamlined its apparatus in a synchronous and appropriate way, effectively implementing the two-tier local government model. Province-wide, 892 organizations and nearly 1,500 staff positions were reduced, improving operational efficiency and easing budget burdens. Party development was emphasized, with more than 5,300 new members admitted, bringing the total to 31,578. Inspection and supervision were strengthened and widely carried out, with 22,438 organizations and Party members reviewed, leading to strict handling of violations and consolidation of Party discipline. Mass mobilization was intensified, with the “Skillful Mass Mobilization” movement spreading broadly.

Internal affairs, anti-corruption efforts, judicial reform, administrative reform, and digital transformation were all advanced. The two-tier government apparatus began operating effectively, with notable improvements in administrative reform and competitiveness indices.

Economically, Lai Châu continued to recover and grow during this period, with Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) estimated at 5.4% per year—a remarkable figure amid widespread difficulties. The current GRDP scale was estimated at VND 32.595 trillion, while per capita GRDP rose significantly to VND 65 million, an increase of VND 21.3 million compared to 2020. The economic structure shifted in the right direction, with the proportion of agriculture declining and industry and services rising.

Agriculture developed toward concentrated commodity production, with value chain linkages from production to processing and consumption. Growth reached 5% per year. The province focused on developing key commodity production areas such as tea, fruit trees, medicinal plants, and large livestock husbandry. By June 30, 2025, the province had 39 communes recognized as meeting new rural standards (41.5% of the target) and 280 products certified OCOP with 3 stars or more, enhancing the value of local agricultural products.

Industry continued to expand, accounting for a large proportion of the provincial GRDP (about 40.5%), with average growth of 9.2% per year. This was a bright spot in Lai Châu’s economy. The province completed 46 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 913 MW and currently has 68 power projects with a total capacity of 3,196 MW. It also concentrated on planning and developing the Ma Lù Thàng Border Gate Economic Zone and investing in the technical infrastructure of the Than Uyên industrial cluster, creating new momentum for growth.

Trade, services, and tourism grew impressively, contributing significantly to overall economic growth. Total retail sales of goods and consumer services rose an average of 10.1% per year. Import-export turnover was estimated at USD 188.7 million. Tourism emerged as a bright spot, with more than 5 million visitors and revenue exceeding VND 3.8 trillion; the average annual growth rate of tourists reached 33.4%. This shows that Lai Châu has become an attractive destination on the tourism map of the Northwest. Budget revenues also grew by an average of 2.3% per year.

Provincial leaders and delegates at the groundbreaking ceremony of an investment project—Tan Uyên bypass road, Lai Châu province. 

Parallel to economic development, Lai Châu also made notable achievements in the cultural and social fields. Education quality improved, with 73.5% of schools meeting national standards, 79.7% of classrooms being permanent, and universal primary education at level 3 recognized. Each year, the province provided vocational training for 8,100 people and created jobs for 9,400, raising the proportion of trained workers to 62.4%. Healthcare was strengthened, with 13.1 doctors per 10,000 people, 95% of the population covered by health insurance, and 70% managed by electronic health records.

Poverty reduction achieved remarkable results: the poverty rate decreased by an average of 3.9% annually, with poor districts reducing by 5.4% per year. The provincial poverty rate fell to about 16.3%. A notable achievement was the complete elimination of makeshift and dilapidated housing, bringing stability and better living conditions to many households.

In recent years, Lai Châu has strengthened its all-people national defense posture in association with a solid people’s security disposition. National border sovereignty was maintained, with creative and effective measures to build an all-people border defense. All communes have deployed professional police officers, contributing to maintaining political security and social order at the grassroots level.

Foreign affairs and international integration achieved positive results. External relations with Yunnan province (China) and northern provinces of Laos were maintained and developed. Relations with localities in South Korea made new progress, with many friendship cooperation agreements signed. Party diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy were regularly and effectively carried out, contributing to promoting friendly cooperation between Lai Châu and international partners.

According to Mr. Lê Minh Ngân, Secretary of the Lai Châu Provincial Party Committee, the results were due to the solidarity and unity across the provincial Party; the decisive, proactive, and creative leadership of the Party Committee, authorities at all levels; and, most importantly, the trust, consensus, and active support of cadres, Party members, and the people. Leadership and direction were renewed, decisive, and close to reality, creatively applying the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws in accordance with local conditions. These achievements serve as a solid foundation and great motivation for the provincial Party to confidently advance on the new path of development.

Focus on Three Strategic Breakthroughs

Despite these achievements, Lai Châu still faces many challenges. The province is far from major economic centers; it has the lowest economic scale and population in the country; its socio-economic infrastructure, especially transport, remains limited; investment resources and human capital are lacking; its competitiveness is low; and natural disasters and epidemics are unpredictable.

In this context, the 15th Provincial Party Congress set goals and a strategic vision for 2025–2030: building a clean and strong Party and political system; promoting economic growth; comprehensively developing culture, healthcare, and education; improving people’s living standards; and firmly ensuring national defense and security. The aim is that by 2030, Lai Châu will become a medium-developed province in the midland and northern mountainous region, and by 2045, a medium-developed province nationwide.

From the attention and comprehensive investment of the central government, and the tireless efforts of the provincial Party, authorities, and people of all ethnic groups, Lai Châu’s outlook is increasingly bright. (Photo: Lai Châu Newspaper) 

By 2030, the province targets an average GRDP growth rate of about 10% per year; per capita GRDP of VND 90 million; state budget revenue of over VND 4.5 trillion; average tourist arrivals increasing 10% annually; and the virtual elimination of poverty.

To achieve these, the province will concentrate on three strategic breakthroughs. First, a breakthrough in transport and logistics infrastructure, ensuring convenient connectivity between Lai Châu and key economic corridors and regions, as well as intra-provincial roads and border routes. Second, a breakthrough in commodity agriculture, medicinal plants, and the green economy—focusing on developing medicinal herbs and high-quality temperate fruits as key products, linking agriculture with tourism, OCOP, and the circular economy. Third, a breakthrough in improving human resources quality, developing science, technology, and digital transformation.

At the 15th Provincial Party Congress, 2025–2030 term, General Trịnh Văn Quyết—Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission’s Standing Committee, and Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army—praised Lai Châu as a province with rich cultural and historical traditions and strategic importance.

The General emphasized that Lai Châu needs to focus on rapid and sustainable economic development, fully exploiting its potential and advantages to achieve breakthroughs with a double-digit growth target. Agriculture should be restructured to enhance added value, focusing on safe and organic production, applying high technology, and prioritizing specialty products, rare medicinal herbs, and large livestock husbandry linked with deep processing. Clean energy industry, mining, and processing industries should be strongly developed, with early implementation of rare earth mining and processing projects.

At the same time, the province should invest in comprehensive and modern infrastructure, especially inter-regional transport. Early investment in the Bảo Hà–Lai Châu expressway, commencement of the Khau Co Tunnel project, and approval of the detailed plan for Lai Châu airport were recommended.

The province should continue to care for and improve people’s lives, combining economic development with social progress and equity, effectively implementing social security policies, ensuring sustainable poverty reduction, with special attention to remote, isolated, and ethnic minority areas. National defense, security, and foreign affairs should be strengthened to maintain political security and social order.

With the achievements gained, along with breakthrough thinking and strategic directions clearly defined by the 15th Provincial Party Congress for the new stage, Lai Châu has every reason to confidently rise, unlock its potential, and build a prosperous and sustainable future worthy of its position as the gateway to the Northwest of the nation.

Mr. Lê Tuấn Anh – Director of Lai Châu Department of Finance: Determined to Improve the Investment Environment

In the past term, Lai Chau province attracted 86 new projects, raising the total number of projects to 315 with total capital of nearly VND 153 trillion. Notably, the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) rose by 22 places, reaching 33rd out of 63 provinces and cities. However, Lai Châu still faces major challenges such as its geographical location far from economic centers, small population and economic scale, limited infrastructure, and insufficient investment resources.

To overcome these difficulties, in the next term, the province will push forward administrative reforms and improve the investment environment to strongly attract non-budgetary capital. Efforts will focus on attracting investment in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and processing industries.

The Finance sector will proactively advise on developing Resolutions and plans to concretize the objectives and tasks for the 2025–2030 term, with a focus on the “Resolution on Enhancing the Effectiveness of Investment Attraction and Developing the Private Economy as a Key Driver of Socio-Economic Development of Lai Châu Province in the 2026–2030 Period.”

Mr. Bùi Huy Phương – Director of Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Environment: Restructuring Agriculture, Developing Key Products

During the 2021–2025 period, the province’s key products have been strongly developed in scale, forming concentrated production zones such as: nearly 4,000 ha of commercial rice, nearly 11,000 ha of tea, nearly 13,000 ha of rubber, and nearly 13,000 ha of cinnamon; over 7,400 ha of macadamia, more than 8,000 ha of fruit trees; caged fish farming in reservoirs with a volume of nearly 144,000 m³; and Lai Châu ginseng cultivated on more than 130 ha.

In addition, preliminary processing and product processing have been emphasized to increase value. The province now has 24 agricultural product processing and packaging facilities, along with branding and trademark development for its products. To date, Lai Châu has had 280 products certified under the OCOP program with 3 stars or higher. Many specialty brands have been established and confirmed their market position, such as specialty rice, dried meat, tea, vermicelli made from canna starch, and wild honey.

To continue development, the agricultural sector has identified breakthrough solutions such as: shifting the mindset from “production” to “agriculture as an economy,” focusing on value chain-based production, green and organic agriculture, and applying high technology. The province will continue to restructure production, promote land accumulation to form large-scale, high-quality production zones associated with preservation, processing, and traceability.

At the same time, resources will be mobilized to invest synchronously in infrastructure (irrigation, inter-field roads, cold storage), creating a favorable environment to attract enterprise investment. Policies to support the development of concentrated commercial agriculture and high-tech applications will be developed and revised to create strong motivation for businesses and cooperatives to invest, produce, process, and market products.

Mr. Bùi Quang Vinh – Director of Lai Chau Department of Construction: Creating Breakthroughs in Transport Infrastructure

Lai Châu has made a breakthrough in transport: the route to the Nội Bài–Lào Cai Expressway was completed in 2025, 100% of national and provincial roads are asphalted, and 82% of communal roads are hardened. This has eliminated the traffic isolation the province once faced.

In the coming time, the province identifies transportation infrastructure as one of three strategic breakthroughs. It will focus on completing the road tunnel through Hoàng Liên Pass by 2027, soon implementing the Bảo Hà–Lai Châu Expressway, approving the detailed planning for Lai Châu Airport, building a multi-purpose bridge at Ma Lù Thàng border gate, and hardening over 95% of communal roads.

First, build a comprehensive, multimodal transportation system – in line with the modern transport strategy, combining road, waterway, and air transport.
Second, apply advanced technology: smart transportation and digital transformation – an inevitable trend of the sector.
Third, diversify investment resources, attract private capital, ODA, and public–private partnerships – to accelerate key projects.

With the right orientation set by the 15th Lai Châu Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term, Lai Châu’s transport infrastructure will make remarkable progress, opening up major socio-economic opportunities, turning Lai Châu into an important logistics hub of the Northwest region, realizing the motto “Smooth Transport, Smooth Economy.”

Mr. Trần Mạnh Hùng – Director of Lai Chau Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Making Lai Châu an Attractive Destination

Lai Châu has great potential with the diverse culture of 20 ethnic groups and majestic natural landscapes. The province has 20 tourist sites and 2 recognized tourist areas. Notable ones include: Rồng Mây Glass Bridge Eco-tourism Area, Hoàng Liên Pass Eco-tourism Area, Pá Khôm Bay, ASEAN-recognized Sin Suối Hồ Community Tourism Village, and other community tourism villages such as Sì Thâu Chải, Lao Chải 1, Thẳm Phé, and Nà Khương. Trekking and adventure tourism routes at Putaleng, Bạch Mộc Lương Tử, and Tả Liên Sơn… have affirmed Lai Châu’s distinctive tourism brand: community – eco – leisure – adventure – culture linked with local experiences.

Tourism products are increasingly diverse, especially trekking, adventure, and community-based tourism. Promotion and marketing have also been emphasized and implemented diversely, linked to large-scale events.

Notably, Sìn Hồ Plateau and Ô Quy Hồ Pass have been approved by the Prime Minister as potential areas for development into National Tourist Areas under the National Tourism System Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2045. This is an important signal, affirming the province’s correct direction and persistent efforts in tourism development.

It can be affirmed that Lai Châu tourism is gradually developing towards professionalism and modernity while preserving its own identity, becoming an important sector in the province’s service economy.

In the coming time, the province will continue to promote its potential and advantages; strengthen regional linkages; improve product and service quality; and strive to build Lai Châu into a destination that is “Safe – Friendly – Unique – Attractive” on the tourism map of Viet Nam. In doing so, it will contribute to making Lai Châu a prominent destination of the Northwest region, leaving a lasting impression on friends and visitors both at home and abroad.

Mr. Vương Thế Mẫn – Director of Lai Chau Department of Industry and Trade: Promoting Industry and Trade

In recent years, under the direction and support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade has proactively and actively advised the Provincial People’s Committee on implementing tasks and solutions to promote production and business activities in the province.

The average industrial growth rate during 2020–2025 reached 12.1%/year. Electricity production accounted for the largest share with 83.8% of industrial production value, with the total capacity of hydropower projects exceeding 3,196 MW.

The processing and manufacturing industry has developed strongly, especially in agricultural processing such as tea, macadamia, and cinnamon. Trade has developed steadily with total retail sales of goods and service revenue increasing by an average of 10.09%/year. Export value grew strongly, reaching 21.26%.

In the coming period, the sector will strengthen industrial promotion and trade promotion activities, especially e-commerce, to expand market connections for the province’s industrial products domestically and for export. Investment resources will be maximized to prioritize supporting the construction of infrastructure for industrial clusters in the province, with Than Uyên Industrial Cluster being the first to provide production space and attract investment.

In addition, the sector will actively monitor and grasp market developments to ensure the supply of essential goods. It will keep track of import–export activities and update information on markets, especially the regulations, standards, and conditions of countries participating in free trade agreements, as well as markets in the Middle East, India, Latin America, Africa, etc., for local enterprises and cooperatives. The sector will also step up the fight against smuggling and trade fraud; continue to improve the investment and business environment; and promote administrative reform to create the most favorable conditions for people and businesses.