Directive 19 - a boost for ethnic minority areas.

Prime Minister's Directive No. 19/CT-TTg dated May 12, 2025, on promoting the implementation of the Strategy for Ethnic Affairs until 2030, with a vision to 2045 (Directive 19) is expected to be a strategic "lever," creating a breakthrough for ethnic affairs in the new phase. Promoting the implementation of this Strategy aims not only to address existing obstacles but also to strongly inspire self-reliance and self-improvement, enabling ethnic minority areas to keep pace with the overall development of the country.

A view of rural traffic in the ethnic minority area of ​​Co Do commune, Can Tho city.

Breakthrough results, enhancing the appearance of ethnic minority areas.

Looking back at the 2021-2025 period, the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions noted that ethnic affairs nationwide have achieved significant milestones, fundamentally changing the face of particularly disadvantaged areas. Average income in many strategic regions has increased 1.6 times compared to 2020, while the poverty rate among ethnic minorities has decreased by an average of 4.38% per year, far exceeding the set target. Essential infrastructure systems such as electricity, roads, schools, and health stations have been prioritized for comprehensive investment, with 99.86% of communes having paved or concrete roads leading to their centers. Policies on education, health, and cultural preservation have contributed to improving the quality of human resources and strengthening the confidence of ethnic minorities in the leadership of the Party and the State. In particular, national target programs on poverty reduction and new rural development have created a widespread social safety net, helping people access scientific and technological achievements and opportunities for developing a market economy .

Following the merger, Can Tho became the only locality in the Mekong Delta belonging to the group of provinces/cities in ethnic minority areas nationwide, with ethnic minorities accounting for 15.32% of the population. Over the past period, the city has achieved many results in implementing its ethnic affairs strategy. Accordingly, the average income of ethnic minorities in Can Tho reached VND 60.5 million in 2024 and approximately VND 66 million by the end of 2025. The city recorded a significant reduction in the poverty rate among ethnic minorities from 3.75% in 2023 to 1.84% in 2024 and approximately 1.58% in 2025. This success stems from the effective integration of national target funds, ensuring that 100% of ethnic minority households in the area have access to electricity and clean water, creating a solid foundation for stable development. Diversified livelihood models and projects supporting housing and production land have directly helped thousands of households improve their lives, bringing about positive and more modern changes to the rural landscape of ethnic minority areas.

However, in practice, many challenges remain, as ethnic minority areas generally develop more slowly than the national average, infrastructure does not fully meet requirements, and the quality of local human resources is still low. The proportion of ethnic minority cadres in planning in many localities is only about 19.65%, which is not commensurate with the potential. Issues related to housing land, production land, and clean water remain "bottlenecks" that need to be addressed.

Solutions for sustainable development

In strict adherence to the spirit of Directive No. 19, the central task for the 2026-2030 period is to focus on consolidating the organizational structure of ethnic affairs agencies. Improving management effectiveness through the stable operation of the Department of Ethnic Affairs and Religion model, coupled with streamlining the two-tiered organizational structure, will be a leverage to ensure the consistent implementation of ethnic policies, reducing intermediate levels and aligning them with local realities. Simultaneously, it will serve as a prerequisite for the practical implementation of national target programs, focusing resources on addressing the most urgent issues facing ethnic minorities. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to urgently finalize projects, promote decentralization and delegation of authority, coupled with accountability from leaders, to ensure that policies, especially ethnic policies, are deeply integrated into people's lives.

Regarding economic development, it is necessary to proactively integrate resources to effectively implement projects supporting land, housing, and vocational retraining for poor households. Economic development must be linked to environmental protection and the application of science and technology in production. In Can Tho, the city aims to promote high-tech agricultural models and green economy suitable to the customs of the Khmer people and other ethnic groups. Simultaneously, it focuses on developing high-quality human resources through preferential policies in recruiting and training ethnic minority cadres and upgrading the system of ethnic boarding schools. The city particularly emphasizes sending workers abroad and encouraging local businesses to create jobs for poor ethnic minority households to ensure sustainable poverty alleviation.

The preservation of cultural identity in conjunction with sustainable tourism is also considered a breakthrough solution for creating livelihoods. Can Tho City is aiming to develop unique spiritual and eco-tourism products so that local people can directly participate in and benefit from cultural heritage. Finally, strengthening the dissemination of laws and promoting the role of influential individuals will help encourage local people to change their mindset and practices. Promoting digital transformation and applying information technology in communication will help local people access new policies more quickly.

The impetus from Directive 19 and the Strategy for Ethnic Affairs until 2030 is expected to not only focus on economic indicators but also aim for the ultimate goal of improving the overall quality of life and firmly consolidating national unity.

Text and photos: HA TRIEU

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/chi-thi-19-cu-hich-cho-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-a205438.html