Changes among the Mong ethnic group in Cao Bang

Currently, Cao Bang province has a population of over 542,000 people, with more than 20 ethnic groups living there, mainly ethnic minorities accounting for 95% of the total population of the province. These ethnic groups have diverse and harmonious religious beliefs, without discrimination, disputes, or conflicts, and their activities comply with the provisions of the Constitution, laws, and the regulations of religious organizations.

The Mong ethnic people in Cao Bang still preserve many traditional cultural features. (Source: baodantoc.vn)

From material to spiritual life

The Party committees and authorities at all levels in Cao Bang province have consistently mobilized all resources effectively to develop the economy , culture, and society, aiming to improve the material and spiritual lives of the Mong ethnic people.

During the 2021-2025 period, Cao Bang province allocated funds to implement 12 projects with a total investment of over 20 billion VND; and implemented 3 projects under the national target program for sustainable poverty reduction with a total budget of over 406 billion VND...

Cao Bang province has issued a Decision assigning agencies and units to assist five communes with Mong ethnic minority populations in striving to achieve new rural standards, advanced new rural standards, and model new rural standards for the 2021-2025 period; implementing a plan to train and enhance the capacity of the community and grassroots officials at all levels to implement the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas; supporting the purchase of livestock, providing plant seeds and fertilizers, guiding households in production development, and ensuring the implementation of economic development policies; and accelerating the implementation of projects supporting production development, diversifying livelihoods, and replicating poverty reduction models.

Currently, Cao Bang is effectively implementing projects such as: cattle farming projects in Bao Lac district; a project supporting the development of tobacco plants and tobacco drying facilities in Hoa An district; an effective model for improving unproductive orchards through intensive cultivation and planting new VH6 pear trees in Trung Khanh district; a model for raising Huong and Tap Na pigs in Ha Quang district; and a model for producing the new DT23 soybean variety in Quang Hoa district…

The children look cheerful in their traditional ethnic costumes. (Source: baodantoc.vn)

The Mong ethnic minority students receive special attention from the authorities at all levels and the education sector in Cao Bang province. The full and timely implementation of policies for these students has contributed to alleviating economic difficulties for Mong ethnic minority families in areas with difficult socio-economic conditions. It has provided students with food and accommodation, allowing them to focus on their studies, maximizing the enrollment of ethnic minority children and students in school, minimizing dropout rates, and contributing to the planning of school networks to meet the requirements of improving the quality of education for ethnic minority students.

In addition, the establishment and maintenance of numerous literacy classes for Mong ethnic minority households, not only teaching literacy but also providing chalk, blackboards, notebooks, and pens, have, thanks to the government's attention, raised the awareness of the Mong people to learn independently. They even encouraged their relatives and children to participate in the literacy classes.

The intellectual level of the Mong ethnic people has improved, changing their mindset, way of thinking, and way of doing things, helping them to embrace new and progressive ideas and sowing dreams of a brighter future for their own lives.

The proportion of Hmong children and women receiving healthcare is increasing; disadvantaged households receive free medical examinations and medication; Hmong children under 1 year old receive expanded immunization; Hmong mothers and children under 5 years old from poor and near-poor households receive interventions to prevent and combat malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies; pregnant women, women of childbearing age, postpartum women, and newborns receive reproductive health care…

Ban Gioc Waterfall during the peak tourist season is highlighted by the golden hues of ripening rice fields and the vibrant cultural activities of the Tay people. (Photo: Duong Loan)

Cao Bang province organized 5 conferences to implement national target programs to assess the current state of immunization and nutritional care for mothers and children; 10 communication and counseling sessions on preventing malnutrition for the Mong ethnic minority; over 50 expanded immunization sessions; called for support and implemented activities of the "For the Poor" Fund of Cao Bang province; launched the "Week of Saving and Joining Hands for the Poor"; mobilized resources to organize visits and tặng gifts for the Lunar New Year 2023 to 100% of poor households throughout the province.

The culture and beliefs of the Mong ethnic group in the province are preserved and promoted through many effective methods, such as organizing surveys and collecting documentation of traditional Mong cultural heritage; conducting scientific research on Mong ethnic beliefs and culture; organizing thematic workshops on "solutions for preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​and good customs and practices in the regulations and customs of ethnic minorities in Cao Bang province"; researching the preservation and promotion of traditional sports; and investing in the development of community tourism associated with the preservation of ethnic cultural identity...

The villages of the Hmong ethnic minority have established village regulations and customs; they practice a civilized and economical way of life, promoting the fine cultural traditions of the Hmong people.

The Mong ethnic minority people are regularly informed and educated about the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, especially the implementation of national target programs and specific tasks under poverty reduction sub-projects...

In the coming period, Cao Bang province will strengthen the infrastructure of commune-level radio stations; establish 50 new commune radio stations using information and telecommunication technology for communes that do not yet have radio stations, have FM wireless radio stations, or have damaged or degraded radio stations, ensuring the quality of service at public information service points.

Fifteen clubs and performing arts groups have been established and maintained to organize cultural, artistic, and sports activities to serve the spiritual needs of the Mong ethnic minority people. Notable examples include: the Mong Ethnic Culture Festival with numerous cultural, artistic, and sports activities attracting large numbers of participants; a cultural exchange program commemorating the 133rd anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth; the Mong Ethnic Culture, Arts, and Sports Festival; and the integration of cultural, artistic, and folk game activities into the National Day for Protecting National Security…

The Party Committee and government at all levels in Cao Bang province have always paid attention to and prioritized all resources to improve and enhance the material and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities in general and the Mong ethnic group in particular. The people are always placed at the center of all policy decisions, with the goal of ensuring that their legitimate rights and interests are increasingly promoted and protected more effectively and substantially, based on the supremacy of law.

Regarding freedom of belief and religion...

According to statistics, as of October 2022, Cao Bang province had 10,722 followers of the Mong ethnic group, mainly Protestant (10,683 followers, accounting for 50.4% of the total number of Protestant followers in the province), including 41 religious leaders (4 pastors, 16 ordained ministers, and 21 evangelists), 71 Party members, and 7 officials from mass organizations, participating in activities at 88 licensed religious groups in 8 out of 10 districts and cities (Bao Lac, Bao Lam, Ha Quang, Nguyen Binh, Hoa An, Quang Hoa, Trung Khanh, and Cao Bang City).

The vast majority of religious dignitaries, officials, management boards of religious establishments, and followers of various religions have a nationalistic spirit, a progressive orientation, and work alongside ethnic groups of all faiths in building their homeland; religious organizations actively participate in charitable, humanitarian, and social welfare activities, and propagate and mobilize followers to participate in patriotic emulation movements and socio-economic development.

Over the years, the Party committees and authorities at all levels in Cao Bang province have consistently created favorable conditions for religions to operate in accordance with the Law on Beliefs and Religions and in line with religious activities in the area, promptly resolving requests from religious organizations.

A peaceful scene in the ancient stone village of Khuoi Ky. (Photo: Ha Anh)

From 2020 to the present, 43 requests from religious organizations and individuals have been resolved (16 requests from Catholics, 8 from Buddhism, and 20 from Protestants). The right to religious freedom has always been respected and protected; all religions are ensured to be equal before the law; religious organizations and dignitaries are permitted to hold ceremonies and sermons according to their annual registered programs; and religious organizations are allowed to register for concentrated religious activities at eligible locations and groups.

Overall, religious activities in Cao Bang province are generally stable, adhering to the guidelines of religious practice and state regulations. The majority of religious leaders, officials, and followers actively participate in general activities within patriotic emulation movements launched by the government and mass organizations, and actively engage in charitable and humanitarian activities, contributing to the government's efforts in social welfare.

The legitimate needs and aspirations of religious leaders and officials in religious activities are given attention and facilitated by all levels of government, ensuring timely resolution in accordance with the law, thereby fostering consensus and trust among believers in religious policies.

The state management agencies on religion in Cao Bang province regularly organize visits and congratulations to religious dignitaries and followers on the occasion of Lunar New Year, important holidays, and religious organization congresses. From 2020 to the present, they have made 48 visits.

The cuisine of the Hmong people has its own unique characteristics. (Source: baodantoc.vn)

At the same time, we must effectively engage in dialogue with religious organizations, encouraging religious organizations and individuals to actively participate in the building and protection of the Fatherland; effectively address the religious needs of religious followers and issues related to religious activities in accordance with the law, such as land, places of worship, registration of ordinations, transfers, and appointments of religious officials and functionaries; create favorable conditions and ensure security and order during religious festivals and celebrations; propagate and organize religious ceremonies in accordance with the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws; and maintain vigilance against the conspiracies and activities of hostile forces that exploit religion and ethnicity to falsely accuse us of violating democracy, human rights, and national security.

Thus, it can be affirmed that the Party committees and authorities at all levels in Cao Bang province always pay attention to and prioritize all resources to improve and enhance the material and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities in general and the Mong ethnic group in particular.

The people are always placed at the center of all policy decisions, with the goal of ensuring that their legitimate rights and interests are increasingly promoted and better protected, in a more substantive way, on the basis of the rule of law.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/su-doi-thay-cua-dong-bao-dan-toc-mong-o-cao-bang-272910.html