Two-level government: The foundation for innovation in ethnic and religious work in Son La

(Chinhphu.vn) - Son La is a mountainous border province with 1.4 million people of 12 ethnic groups, of which 83.7% are ethnic minorities, and is promoting innovation in ethnic and religious affairs according to the 2-level local government model. With 75 communes, wards and more than 2,200 hamlets and sub-regions, the province faces both large-scale management challenges and opportunities to streamline the apparatus and improve efficiency in serving the grassroots.

Strengthen the apparatus and strong decentralization

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Son La province - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions (DTTG) of Son La province, after implementing the 2-level local government model, the ethnic and religious management apparatus has been rapidly consolidated. Currently, the Department has 23/24 staff, 3 department leaders according to the staffing standards, and 100% of communes and wards have arranged specialized staff to monitor the ethnic and religious fields. This is an important step to strengthen closeness to the grassroots.

On this basis, the Department has implemented Decree 124/2025/ND-CP on decentralization and delegation in two-level local government. Up to now, 5 documents on decentralization and delegation and 6 specific guidance documents have been issued to the grassroots. In addition, two training conferences, including both in-person and online forms, with the participation of more than 140 officials and civil servants, have been organized to improve the professional qualifications and skills of commune-level officials.

Son La province is still in the "5 best" group: Most difficult - lowest human resources - highest poverty - most difficult access to services - weakest infrastructure

Implement ethnic and religious programs and policies with positive results

Despite challenges such as thin staffing, large area, ethnic diversity, uneven qualifications and experience of staff, as well as the structure of ethnic minority staff not meeting standards, ethnic and religious work in Son La still recorded positive results, said Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Department of Ethnic Minorities has coordinated with departments, branches and localities to synchronously implement key programs. National Target Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas The disbursement rate of central budget capital reached 76.3%, higher than the national average of 72.6%, with the target of reaching over 90% by the end of 2025. The rate of poor households in extremely difficult areas decreased by an average of 4.47%/year; the income of ethnic minorities reached 39.2 million VND/year, double that of 2020.

Another notable achievement is the elimination of 3,058 temporary houses for poor households, demonstrating efforts to improve the material life of ethnic minorities. At the same time, the province is promoting the implementation of Decree No. 255/2025/ND-CP on identifying ethnic groups facing many difficulties and specific difficulties in the 2026-2030 period and Decree No. 272/2025/ND-CP on demarcation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the 2026-2030 period; determined to complete ahead of schedule to ensure synchronous implementation of policies.

"In the field of religion, Son La province has 5 active religious organizations. Faced with increasing management requirements, the Department has consulted and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee. After approval, it will focus on implementing the Project to improve State management capacity on beliefs and religions in the 2025-2030 period in the area. At the beginning of 2026, the Department will develop a detailed plan to comprehensively consolidate the staff from the province to the grassroots level," Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung informed.

Son La province is currently in the "5 best" group: Most difficult - lowest human resources - highest poverty - most difficult access to services - weakest infrastructure. This is also one of the provinces with the largest ethnic minority population in the country. On the basis of a gradually consolidated apparatus and synchronously implemented policies, ethnic and religious work in Son La is gradually changing, bringing hope for a sustainable future, where ethnic minorities are cared for, developed and join hands to build a strong border land.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/chinh-quyen-2-cap-nen-tang-doi-moi-cong-tac-dan-toc-ton-giao-tai-son-la-102251204105904473.htm