Breakthroughs in implementing ethnic policies

Numerous key policies have been implemented synchronously and effectively, notably the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2030; Phase I (2021-2025) is linked with the New Rural Development Program and sustainable poverty reduction.

A significant highlight is the movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, which has been vigorously promoted; social welfare, gratitude, and the care for the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities have been timely addressed.

Positive transformations

The National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas is not just a development investment program but a comprehensive strategy to enhance the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities, while affirming the special importance of these areas in the country's development. The total resources mobilized for the Program exceed 137 trillion VND. By the end of Phase I, the Program has completed and surpassed 6 out of 9 target groups set.

The Program has contributed to achieving the goal of rapid and sustainable poverty reduction in areas considered the "poverty core" with the highest concentration of poor people nationwide, with the average poverty rate decreasing by 3.4% per year. The average income of ethnic minorities reached 43.4 million VND, a 3.1 times increase compared to 2020.

Amidst the global trend of increasing poverty rates, Vietnam continues to shine with a sharp decline in poverty rates, from 58% in 1993 to about 1% by 2025; specifically, among ethnic minorities, the poverty rate has dropped to about 11%.

By the end of June 2025, 237 especially difficult communes in Area III under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2025 have met the new rural standards. (Photo: Bac Ninh Newspaper)

Additionally, the National Target Program for New Rural Development for the period 2021-2025 continues to create positive ripple effects. By the end of June 2025, 237 especially difficult communes in Area III under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021-2025 have met the new rural standards, contributing to changing the rural landscape in highland, remote, and isolated areas.

The movement "The whole country joins hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses" has been implemented decisively and synchronously, achieving outstanding results with the construction and repair of 334,234 houses (including 255,310 newly built and 78,924 repaired). Notably, the program has completed 100% of the housing support plan for three target groups, including: People with meritorious services to the revolution and relatives of martyrs; poor households, near-poor households, and difficult households under the National Target Programs; contributing to realizing the goal of stable housing and ensuring social welfare for people in difficult areas.

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In the period 2021-2025, the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority Areas has supported housing for 42,567 households in especially difficult communes, villages, and hamlets (exceeding the assigned plan by 230%), contributing to the nationwide completion of the goal to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses ahead of schedule. Besides, the Program also supported residential land for 10,549 households, provided dispersed drinking water for 479,358 households; and invested in building 809 centralized drinking water projects.

Legal aid for ethnic minorities has been emphasized to ensure their access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups, the poor, and residents in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions. Legal aid activities in localities have been timely, targeted, and in accordance with the law; prioritizing legal aid in complex cases that directly affect the rights and legitimate interests of those receiving legal aid, contributing to the protection of human rights and citizens' rights as prescribed by law.

From January 1 to October 31, 2025, the number of legal aid cases for ethnic minorities residing in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions in 2025 was 6,652 cases, accounting for 24.57% of the total legal aid cases nationwide. Legal aid has helped thousands of ethnic minorities residing in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions protect their rights and legitimate interests when facing legal issues and disputes, contributing to the protection of human rights and citizens' rights.

Enhancing quality of life and cultural preservation

In the National Target Program for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, the target group of working-age laborers receiving vocational training suitable to the needs and conditions of ethnic minorities and the characteristics of ethnic minority and mountainous areas reached an average of 54.8%; supporting vocational training and job searching for 115,575 workers.

The year 2025 marks a breakthrough in educational investment in border areas. Following Conclusion No. 81-KL/TW of the Politburo, the directives of the Government, and the Prime Minister, border localities have simultaneously organized groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of inter-level boarding schools for primary and secondary education in land border communes, affirming the determination to develop education in strategic areas. Phase 1 aims to complete the construction of 100 schools before the 2026-2027 school year, with a total investment of nearly 20 trillion VND from the central budget. Phase 2 is expected to expand to 248 schools, with a total investment of approximately 37 trillion VND, combining state resources and socialization.

Education development policies in ethnic regions continue to receive attention. (Photo: Nhandan Newspaper)

Notably, from the 2025-2026 school year, the policy of waiving all tuition fees for students from preschool to the end of public high school nationwide is officially implemented, creating a strong impetus to promote universal education and reduce the cost burden for ethnic minorities.

In addition, education development policies in ethnic regions are given attention, notably Government Decree No. 66/2025/NĐ-CP (stipulating policies for nursery children, students in ethnic minority and mountainous areas) and Circular No. 20/2025/TT-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training (on the program of preparatory university enrichment courses). The teaching and learning of ethnic minority languages and scripts are maintained and improved through bilingual classes in public schools, religious institutions, and Chinese language centers. The enhancement of Vietnamese language teaching and learning for ethnic minority children before entering grade 1 according to Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training is emphasized. Additionally, Khmer temples in the Southern region and special schools also organize classes to teach Khmer, Pali, Vi-ni scripts, etc.

Healthcare policies for ethnic minorities continue to focus on ensuring access to services, building healthcare infrastructure, providing essential medicines, with priority given to difficult areas. Healthcare services for ethnic minorities have seen significant progress, with many technical procedures continuously transferred and effectively applied in treatment; health and population programs continue to operate as planned.

The implementation of the national health program and new regulations on health insurance examination and treatment have yielded positive results, with the poor, ethnic minorities in difficult and especially difficult communes being issued health insurance cards by the State and enjoying 100% payment for examination and treatment services. Efforts to increase health insurance participation rates continue to be promoted and show positive changes; the rate of ethnic minorities participating in health insurance in some localities is increasing; the number of people accessing primary healthcare services at the grassroots level has reached 3,885,902 visits for maternal and child health care (according to the professional guidance of the Ministry of Health).

Vietnam continues to implement policies for reputable individuals in ethnic minority communities according to Decision No. 12/2018/QĐ-TTg dated March 6, 2018, and Decision No. 28/2023/QĐ-TTg dated November 23, 2023, amending and supplementing some provisions of Decision No. 12/2018/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister on criteria for selecting, recognizing reputable individuals and policies for reputable individuals in ethnic minority communities; localities have organized hundreds of conferences to disseminate and provide information; training and knowledge enhancement on ethnic work; organized study tours and experience exchanges within and outside the province for reputable individuals; visits and work at the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; distributed four types of newspapers (Ethnic and Development Newspaper; local newspapers, ethnic and mountainous special pages of Nhandan Newspaper, and Ethnic and Development special issue of Communist Magazine).

President To Lam meets with exemplary reputable individuals in ethnic communities in border, sea, and island areas attending the second "Pillar of the Village" program organized by the Editorial Board of Communist Magazine, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Border Guard Command in Hanoi, on June 14, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Additionally, state management agencies pay great attention to visiting, meeting, welcoming, and giving gifts on holidays and Tet; providing material support in times of illness, difficulty, or adversity; promptly encouraging and rewarding reputable individuals. Some localities like Dong Nai, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Dak Lak, Quang Ngai, Hanoi... have issued specific policies such as monthly financial support, free health insurance for reputable individuals not covered by the Health Insurance Law, to create conditions and motivate reputable individuals to promote their role and better fulfill their assigned tasks and responsibilities.

Furthermore, implementing the policy "Reducing early marriage and consanguineous marriage in ethnic minority areas for the period 2015-2025", the number of early marriage cases in some provinces has gradually decreased each year, with an average reduction of 0.4% - 1% per year in provinces like Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Thanh Hoa, Lam Dong... The implementation of the Project "Reducing early marriage and consanguineous marriage in ethnic minority areas phase II (2021-2025)" and Subproject 9.2 of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has had a significant impact on preventing and reducing early marriage in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

In 2026, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will continue to strengthen the implementation of ethnic policies to ensure the livelihood, economy, welfare, and society for ethnic minorities; particularly building and effectively implementing contents related to ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the National Target Program for New Rural Development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2026-2035 (Phase I from 2026-2030). At the same time, continue to implement tasks and solutions to enhance the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and implement the recommendations of the Convention Committee according to Decision No. 1567/QĐ-TTg dated December 12, 2024, of the Prime Minister; preparing for the submission of the national report in 2027.

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