Vietnamese Prime Minister Orders Review After Điện Biên Principal Appeals for Rice Aid

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has ordered Điện Biên authorities to verify why a school principal turned to Facebook to seek rice and other supplies for students.

The directive followed reports about a school in the province appealing to organizations, individuals and the wider community for food and essential support. The assistance was intended to ensure students could attend school, study and maintain their daily lives.

The prime minister instructed the chair of the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee to investigate the case and ensure that students entitled to central or local support receive those benefits fully and on time. Authorities were also told to mobilize lawful resources for students in difficult circumstances.

The order extends beyond Điện Biên. Provincial and municipal authorities must review policies for children and students, particularly those in boarding and semi-boarding schools, border areas, ethnic-minority and mountainous communities, difficult coastal and island areas, poor and near-poor households, and other vulnerable groups.

The Ministry of Education and Training must coordinate with the finance and interior ministries and local authorities on a nationwide review. It must assess problems arising after administrative restructuring and report proposed solutions to the prime minister by 2 p.m. on Sept. 3. The government also plans to study changes to semi-boarding student policies, including residence, distance, transport, terrain and other practical conditions, with a report due in September 2026.

Earlier reports said Nguyễn Thành Trung, principal of Võ Nguyên Giáp Secondary School in Mường Phăng, had sought rice and cooking gas for more than 300 students who lived 7 to 15 kilometers from school. Many stayed at school because of the distance, while funding from a charitable project had ended.