Investing in the development of ethnic minority areas.

Quang Ninh province has over 162,500 ethnic minority people, accounting for more than 12.3% of the province's total population and scattered across 85% of its natural area. With a series of national target programs and provincial policies implemented synchronously, the appearance of the province's ethnic minority areas has changed significantly.

Socio -economic infrastructure is one of the key areas receiving significant investment. In 2024 alone, the province implemented 168 essential infrastructure investment projects using provincial budget funds, including 62 projects under the Socio-Economic Development Program for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas. Of these, 54 projects in the transportation sector received investment support from Resolution No. 12/2022/NQ-HĐND, connecting remote areas with central regions, promoting trade and production development. The province also invested in 183 school construction projects, with particular emphasis on ethnic minority areas.

Construction of a water supply pipeline in Vo Ngai commune (Binh Lieu district). Photo: Manh Truong

In 2025, the province set specific goals in the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Resolution 06-NQ/TU, and the overall program for sustainable socio-economic development associated with ensuring national defense and security in communes, villages, and hamlets in ethnic minority, mountainous, border, and island areas of Quang Ninh province in 2025. Accordingly, the goal is to continue building and completing 13 commune-level cultural and sports centers; eliminate 100% of newly arising temporary and dilapidated houses for poor and near-poor households in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the province…

The total provincial budget allocated for the implementation of the Program for Ethnic Minority Areas in 2025 is 786.887 billion VND; as of March 11, 2025, over 24.397 billion VND has been disbursed.

Quang Ninh is the first locality to complete the Sustainable Poverty Reduction Program's goals for the 2021-2025 period three years ahead of schedule. By the end of 2024, the entire province had only 8 poor households and 1,237 near-poor households according to the province's own multidimensional poverty standard, with ethnic minority households accounting for 69.5% and 53.48% respectively. The health insurance policy for the people has been effectively implemented, with 100% of people in communes that have recently escaped from the category of extremely difficult areas still receiving health insurance support until the end of 2025…

According to the 2024 survey results, the average income of ethnic minorities, people in mountainous, border, and island areas in 2024 was 83.79 million VND/person/year, an increase of 14.2% compared to 2023.

Developing an ecotourism model in Ky Thuong commune, Ha Long City. Photo: Khanh Giang

Education for ethnic minority students has received comprehensive investment in both infrastructure and curriculum. To date, 100% of educational institutions meet the conditions for implementing the new curriculum; the rate of universal education and literacy eradication is high. The province has 6 ethnic boarding schools with over 1,700 students, of which 98% are ethnic minority students. The quality of learning, nurturing, and care for boarding students is constantly improving, with a 100% graduation rate and over 90% of ethnic minority students continuing their education at higher levels.

Student Ban Thi Huong, class 7A, Ky Thuong Primary and Secondary School (Ha Long City), said: "Thanks to the well-invested, clean, and beautiful school facilities, we are more enthusiastic about studying. I hope that all my older siblings and friends of school age in ethnic minority areas throughout the province will have the opportunity to study in well-equipped schools."

Notably, the program to enhance Vietnamese language skills for ethnic minority children continues to be promoted with the participation of 100% of teachers and students in ethnic minority areas. These activities not only contribute to improving the quality of education but also actively support the preservation of the culture and language of ethnic minorities. The current healthcare infrastructure in ethnic minority areas adequately meets the needs of primary healthcare for the people. Currently, the province continues to invest in upgrading and repairing commune-level health stations, especially in ethnic minority areas.

With the motto "Leaving no one behind," the provincial government and people are working together to build increasingly developed and civilized ethnic minority areas.

Thu Nguyet

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dau-tu-phat-trien-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so-3359153.html