Changes stemming from ethnic policies.

Over the years, programs, policies, and projects for ethnic minority and mountainous regions, especially the National Target Program on socio -economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous regions for the period 2021-2030, have been fully, promptly, and effectively implemented, closely aligned with the actual needs of the people. This has not only contributed to improving the lives and increasing the income of ethnic minorities throughout the province but also transformed the appearance of these regions and promoted socio-economic development in the localities.

Leaders of Luong Son commune, Yen Lap district, are implementing ethnic minority policies on agriculture for ethnic minority communities in the area.

A renewed and improved appearance.

From being one of the 11 particularly disadvantaged communes in Yen Lap district, with 80% of its population being ethnic Muong people, Luong Son commune has now transformed itself with essential infrastructure gradually being invested in; the rural economy is shifting in a positive direction; and the lives of the people are increasingly improving.

During the period 2020-2024, the locality benefited from over 56 billion VND through the National Target Program and policies and projects for ethnic minority and mountainous areas in agriculture and essential infrastructure development. In particular, over 19km of inter-regional, inter-commune, and inter-village roads were completed with significant investment from the Party and State, facilitating travel and trade for the people and contributing to socio-economic development in the area.

Comrade Nguyen Van Xuan - Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Son commune, said: "With the attention of the Party and the State through National Target Programs for ethnic minority mountainous areas and from local social mobilization, the targets for economic, cultural, social development and Party building according to the Resolution of the 29th Party Congress of Luong Son commune for the 2020-2025 term have basically ensured progress. To date, Luong Son has completed 53 out of 57 targets and achieved 17 out of 19 criteria for building new rural areas. In particular, agricultural production has grown significantly; the average economic growth rate over the past three years has reached 12.7%/year; the average per capita income in the commune in 2023 reached 55.7 million VND/person/year... This is an important stepping stone for us to strive to complete all 19 criteria in the roadmap to achieve the new rural area goal by the end of this year."

Yen Lap mountainous district currently has 80% of its population belonging to ethnic minorities, with 30 ethnic groups living together, of which the Muong ethnic group accounts for over 74% and the Dao ethnic group accounts for 5.1%. In recent years, thanks to the attention of the Party and the State, and under the regular leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, Yen Lap district has effectively implemented the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, along with many programs, projects, and policies on housing, credit loans, social security, education , health, vocational training, poverty reduction, etc., with a total investment capital of over 422 billion VND in the 2021-2025 period. Of this, over 372 billion VND comes from the central government budget, and the remainder is from the local budget.

Comrade Dinh Hai Nam - Vice Chairman of the Yen Lap District People's Committee affirmed: "Resources from ethnic minority programs and policies implemented in the district are truly an important lever to promote socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, contributing to improving the material and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities. To date, Luong Son, Xuan Vien, and Dong Thinh communes have basically met the criteria to be removed from the list of particularly difficult communes; other localities such as My Lung, My Luong, Xuan An, and Phuc Khanh have also made remarkable progress, contributing positively to the economic restructuring and rural development in the district. In the coming time, the district will continue to allocate the remaining funds to effectively implement programs, projects, and support policies from the Central and local governments for ethnic minority areas."

It is evident that the programs, policies, and projects for ethnic minority and mountainous regions, in accordance with the Party and State's guidelines, have been comprehensively implemented throughout the province, significantly contributing to changing the appearance of villages and hamlets in highland and mountainous districts. These efforts focus on investing in rural infrastructure development; supporting vocational training and job creation; and preserving intangible cultural values. Furthermore, they have played a crucial role in addressing urgent needs for housing, production land, clean water, and creating livelihoods for ethnic minorities, thus contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

The Suoi Cai flood-resistant bridge in Dong Son commune, Tan Son district, which was put into use in May 2024, has completely overcome the isolation during the rainy season and floods, helping ethnic minority people in the area to travel and trade goods more conveniently.

Boosting development in mountainous districts.

Currently, 50 ethnic groups live together in the province, comprising over 260,000 ethnic minority people, accounting for 17% of the province's total population. During the period 2021-2025, the province has 58 communes classified as areas I, II, and III, and 240 particularly disadvantaged villages in ethnic minority and mountainous regions. Over the past years, along with funding from the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (2021-2030), the province has allocated significant resources, focusing on the comprehensive development of education, health, culture, and socio-economic aspects in ethnic minority areas to accelerate sustainable poverty reduction and local socio-economic development.

During the 2021-2025 period, the province plans to invest over 3,612 billion VND in ethnic minority and mountainous areas with projects focusing on essential rural infrastructure; addressing land shortages, housing, production land, and clean water; developing sustainable agriculture; and supporting education and training. For the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Phase I (2021-2025), the total investment capital in the province is over 1,177 billion VND, of which over 962 billion VND comes from the central government and over 215 billion VND from the local government. By the end of June 2024, over 574 billion VND had been disbursed, including 453 billion VND for development investment and over 120 billion VND for recurrent expenditures.

Overall, programs and policies for ethnic minority and mountainous regions have been implemented fully, promptly, and effectively. Basic goals and targets have been achieved according to plan. To date, 100% of communes and 99% of villages in mountainous areas have paved or concrete roads leading to their centers; 100% of villages have community centers; and 99.77% of households have access to the national electricity grid. 96.56% of ethnic minority people have access to clean drinking water... In addition, 183 essential infrastructure projects serving the production and lives of ethnic minorities have been supported for new construction, including 92 transportation projects, 3 irrigation projects, 19 school projects, 1 health project, and 65 community centers, making a significant contribution to improving the material and spiritual lives and raising the intellectual level of ethnic minority people in remote, disadvantaged, and particularly difficult areas.

Comrade Ha Van Thinh - Head of the General Planning Department, Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee, said: "To implement ethnic policies consistently and synchronously throughout the province, we hope that the Government and central ministries and agencies will continue to pay attention to and provide support for investment resources in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the province; and promptly amend, supplement, and replace decrees and circulars to quickly resolve difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process in localities. At the same time, we hope for the early issuance of regulations to redefine ethnic minority and mountainous areas, especially for mountainous and highland communes that do not meet the criterion of 15% ethnic minority population, so that we have a basis for effectively implementing policies and contributing to the comprehensive socio-economic development of the province in all fields."

It can be affirmed that the implementation of programs and policies for ethnic minority and mountainous regions has contributed to accelerating poverty reduction and socio-economic development in these localities. As a result, the people of ethnic minorities continue to trust in the reform policies and leadership of the Party and State, actively participating in labor and production, building a strong political system, ensuring security, national defense, and social order, and contributing to strengthening national unity.

National Congress

Source: https://baophutho.vn/doi-thay-tu-chinh-sach-dan-toc-218872.htm