According to Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, the locality is currently implementing 15 projects to build inter-level boarding primary and secondary schools in border communes, with a total investment of more than 3,550 billion VND. This is considered one of the largest education investment programs of the province in recent years, aiming to gradually complete the school system in particularly difficult areas.
Among these, the school project in Si Pa Phin commune has been basically completed and inaugurated at the end of January 2026. The remaining 9 projects started in 2025 are being focused on construction, and 5 projects started in 2026 are completing investment procedures.
However, the implementation process is facing many difficulties when most of the projects are located in remote and isolated areas, with strongly divided terrain and difficult traffic. Many construction areas have complex geological foundations, high risk of landslides, especially at projects such as Nua Ngam.
According to the latest report, the disbursement rate of the group of 9 schools starting construction in 2025 reached about 44.8%. Construction volume ranges from 40% to 69%. Some projects are still slow in progress such as Na Bung, Quang Lam, reaching only about 40%, Nua Ngam reaching 43%.
Not only difficulties in terrain, the projects are also under pressure from local material scarcity, increased transportation costs and fluctuations in fuel, construction materials and labor prices from the beginning of March 2026. These factors directly affect construction progress and the risk of increasing total investment.
Faced with that reality, Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee launched a peak emulation campaign "100 days and nights to complete the construction, handover, and put into use 9 inter-level boarding primary and secondary schools in border communes".
According to the plan, the province will shift from directing "general urging" to operating according to "gutting lines", that is, closely following each item, each progress milestone and clearly defining the responsibilities of each related unit and individual. Projects will be inspected daily, and progress will be summarized weekly to promptly remove arising bottlenecks.
To facilitate operation, 9 projects are divided into 3 groups. The group that basically ensures progress includes Thanh Nua, Thanh Yen, Sam Mun schools. The group that needs to be strongly urged includes Nam Ke, Muong Nha. Meanwhile, the "road gang" group at risk of delaying progress including Nua Ngam, Sin Thau, Na Bung and Quang Lam will be given special direction.
For projects belonging to high-risk groups, the province requires the establishment of a working group to directly stick to the construction site, organize meetings at the end of the day and report unexpectedly immediately when there is a risk of delay in progress.
Contractors are also required to develop overtime plans, increase shifts, and add construction teams to speed up progress. Qualified items will be organized for "3 shifts, 4 shifts", including at night, but must absolutely ensure labor safety and security and order.
Leaders of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee emphasized the consistent viewpoint of not allowing losses, waste, negativity and resolutely "not trading construction quality for progress". All input materials must have clear certification and inspection; strictly prohibit the use of materials of the wrong type or not ensuring quality.
In parallel with building facilities, the Department of Education and Training of Dien Bien province is assigned to coordinate with localities to develop enrollment plans, organize classes and prepare a team of teachers and school health staff to be ready to operate immediately when the project is completed.
According to forecasts, in the 2026-2027 school year, the system of inter-level boarding schools in the border area of Dien Bien will welcome more than 10,148 students, of which about 7,398 students will enjoy boarding benefits.
