Digital transformation application models such as using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to replace human power or applying artificial intelligence (AI) in data management are gradually promoting efficiency, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in the mountainous province of Dien Bien.
In Muong Ang commune, the work of spraying fertilizer for 1 hectare of crops used to require a lot of manpower and take many hours, but now it only takes about 10 minutes when using unmanned aerial vehicles.
Not only saving time, UAVs also help fertilizers be sprayed accurately, distributed evenly, reducing losses and saving costs for people.
This is one of the models showing that digital transformation is gradually coming into practice. Dien Bien chooses technology as a tool to solve socio-economic development problems.
To achieve this goal, the province identifies digital infrastructure as the foundation. Currently, the whole province has 1,239 mobile information stations, including 242 5G stations; fiber optic network covers 100% of commune and ward centers and about 90% of villages and hamlets.
More than 60% of households have been connected to the internet, about 72% of people use the internet, creating conditions for digital platforms to reach more and more people, including in remote and isolated areas.
In 2026, the province announced 4 key issues on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. In which, low-level space economy development is identified as a direction suitable for the conditions of a mountainous province.
To date, Dien Bien has surveyed 12 pilot areas and deployed many UAV application models such as transporting tea in Sinh Phinh commune; spraying fertilizer for coffee in Muong Ang commune; sowing seeds, spraying pesticides in Thanh Nua commune; applying remote sensing technology in patrols and forest protection.
At the end of June, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision allowing controlled trials of products and services applying digital technology to develop low-altitude space economy using UAVs, creating a legal corridor for these models to be implemented in practice.
According to the plan, the program will be implemented until the end of May 2027 with about 6,000 flights, striving to achieve a safety rate of over 99%. UAVs will be used to transport agricultural products, agricultural supplies, medicines, test samples and essential goods.
In 2026, more than 3,000 commune-level officials, digital transformation forces and community digital technology teams will be trained on the application of artificial intelligence (AI).
Mr. Pham Thanh Nam - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dien Bien province said that in the coming time, the locality will continue to develop digital infrastructure, digital data and digital human resources; and at the same time promote the application of AI in advantageous fields such as agriculture, healthcare, tourism and public administration.
