Abstract

The two-tier local government model requires commune and ward Party committees in Dien Bien province to adopt more enabling, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership approaches to tourism development. Drawing on its historical sites, diverse ethnic cultural heritage, landscapes, and community-based tourism, the province aims to develop tourism products in all 45 communes and wards by 2030. Through documentary research, analysis, synthesis, and comparison with local practice, this study identifies emerging requirements for grassroots leadership in tourism development. The findings highlight the need to shift from planning within administrative boundaries to considering tourism spaces and value chains, translate broad policy directions into measurable objectives and verifiable outcomes, and recognize communities as active participants with ownership of tourism development. Leadership approaches should also connect tourism with experiential education, cultural preservation, digital transformation, human resource development, and environmental protection. The study proposes measures to strengthen leadership effectiveness and mobilize local resources, focusing on identifying local strengths, coordinating stakeholders, assessing outcomes, developing pilot models, improving access to policy support, and strengthening the accountability of grassroots leaders.

Keywords: Commune and ward Party committees, community, dien Bien, leadership approaches, tourism development.