These "bridges" connect the villages.

Mr. Dieu Tol (from Tho Son commune) is a respected figure among the ethnic minority community in Dong Nai province. Every day, he spends time visiting people's homes in each village to meet with them and understand the local situation. He listens to the villagers' opinions and suggestions, then forwards them to the village's management board or the commune's People's Committee so that the Party committee and government can promptly address them. When he receives feedback, he relays it to those involved so they are aware of the results.

Comrade Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, exchanges views with influential figures among ethnic minorities at the Meeting of Representatives of Influential Figures, Religious Leaders, Intellectuals, Artists, and Outstanding Businesspeople on August 25, 2025. Photo: Van Truyen

In the six months since the province's merger, Mr. Dieu Tol and his team of influential figures among ethnic minority communities have played a crucial role as a "bridge" in connecting the Party committee and government with over 421,000 people from 37 ethnic minority groups in the newly merged Dong Nai province.

484 "bridges" connecting ethnic minorities.

Following the establishment of Dong Nai province, the province recognized 484 individuals as influential figures among ethnic minority communities. The majority of these influential figures are between 60 and 70 years old; their educational level has improved; and they prioritize the use and application of social media for propaganda and mobilization…

At the same time, according to Tran Thanh Hoa, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, in 2025, along with local Party committees, authorities, and mass organizations, in the process of implementing ethnic affairs and ethnic policies, the team of influential figures among ethnic minorities will always coordinate and effectively play their role in disseminating information and explaining to the people the Party and State's concern for ethnic minorities. This will help to thwart the " peaceful evolution" plot of hostile forces aiming to divide the national unity, contributing to building a people's defense posture linked to a people's security posture, contributing to stabilizing the security and order situation in the province, and improving the material and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities in the province... The overall achievements of Dong Nai province in 2025 will include the contributions of influential figures among ethnic minorities.

Nguyen Hong Nu (of the Choro ethnic group, Xuan Thanh commune), a respected figure among ethnic minority communities in Dong Nai province, said: "Over the years, many educational policies have contributed to raising the intellectual level of the people, creating favorable conditions for children of ethnic minorities to pursue knowledge."

As both a teacher and a respected figure within the ethnic minority community, Ms. Nguyen Hong Nu encourages children in her community to strive to attend school and work harder in their studies to find better jobs in the future. In addition to her role as an English teacher, she also organizes and teaches English for free to children in the community outside of class hours. Furthermore, when young people in the community are exposed to information on social media or when they go away to study or work, Ms. Nu reminds parents and children not to share harmful or toxic information, and not to believe or listen to the enticements of malicious individuals that could lead to violations of the law.

Show concern for and encourage influential people.

To acknowledge their contributions and encourage influential figures among ethnic minority communities, Dong Nai province has been implementing policies aimed at helping these influential individuals feel secure in their work and actively participate in building their homeland.

Specifically, the Provincial People's Council recently passed a Resolution stipulating the support regime for influential individuals in ethnic minority areas in Dong Nai province, effective from January 1, 2026. Accordingly, influential individuals in ethnic minority areas will receive support of 800,000 VND/person/month from the previous 234,000 VND/month. In addition, the province also stipulates support for annual health insurance card issuance; visits and gift-giving during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year); support for participation in conferences; and visits during illness requiring medical treatment at healthcare facilities…

Furthermore, according to Mr. Tran Thanh Hoa, the Party committees and authorities have identified influential figures among ethnic minority communities in 95 communes and wards as a special mass force with an important position and role in assisting the Party and State's advisory and support agencies in effectively carrying out assigned tasks; and through these influential figures, they can understand the thoughts and aspirations of the people and convey them to the Party, State, and authorities at all levels. Therefore, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion, along with other departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of communes and wards, will proactively advise the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial People's Committee on tasks related to ethnic affairs and ethnic policies in the province. They will pay attention to and create conditions for the development of influential figures among ethnic minority communities and promptly commend and reward those influential figures who achieve outstanding and exemplary achievements.

As one of 61 individuals honored at the 2025 Conference to Summarize and Commend Influential Figures among Ethnic Minorities in Dong Nai Province, Mr. Dieu Toa (Chơro ethnic group, Binh Loc ward) said: The province's recognition not only impacts him personally but also acknowledges and affirms to the community his past activities in preserving traditional culture. This helps attract the attention of his fellow villagers in preserving and promoting the positive values ​​of their ethnic group.

In 2025, influential figures among ethnic minority communities will continue to effectively contribute to six key areas, including: disseminating information and mobilizing people to correctly implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws; actively participating in the grassroots political system, consolidating and strengthening national unity; maintaining security, order, and social safety in ethnic minority areas; providing healthcare for people in ethnic minority areas; preserving culture, art, and sports; and developing socio-economic conditions, reducing poverty, ensuring social welfare, and building new rural areas.

Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, Nguyen Van Khang

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Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/202601/nhung-cau-noi-gan-ket-xom-lang-d79019f/