Chieng An ward was established in June 2025 through the merger of the former Chieng An ward and the communes of Chieng Xom and Chieng Den. Covering 149.07 sq.m, the ward has a population of 19,549 representing 18 ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities accounting for 94.46%.

All the 27 residential areas and hamlets in Chieng An have at least 94% ethnic minority populations, officially designating the ward as an ethnic minority and mountainous area.

Chieng An no longer has any particularly disadvantaged hamlets, with poverty and near-poverty rates at 0.59% and 1.51%, respectively. All households have access to electricity and clean water, roads reach every hamlet, schools meet national standards, and average income stands at 64.8 million VND (2,458 USD) per person per year.

However, its infrastructure and economic development capacity have yet to meet the criteria for a first-class commune or ward. Recognition under this framework will allow Chieng An to continue benefiting from special government policies for ethnic minority and mountainous areas during 2026-2030, providing a boost to sustainable socio-economic development and improving the livelihoods of local ethnic communities.

Speaking at the meeting, Hau urged provincial departments and agencies to work with the ward to review each criterion and assign scores as a scientific basis for evaluation.

Based on this, a scoring model can be developed for other communes and wards in the province with conditions similar to Chieng An.

He also called for standardising scoring levels and regulations for each criterion, including income, access to clean water, electricity, and rural roads, in accordance with Government Decree No. 272/2025/ND-CP.

The Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs was tasked with reviewing and evaluating particularly disadvantaged communes across the province to provide a foundation for effectively implementing national target programmes.