There are decisions written in just a few lines, yet they open the course of history. Decree No. 58/KL, issued on May 3, 1946 by President Ho Chi Minh, stands as one such milestone.

The decree established the Office for Ethnic Minorities under the Ministry of Interior, tasked with “reviewing political and administrative issues related to ethnic minority communities and strengthening solidarity among all ethnic groups in Vietnam.”

The mission was expressed in just 34 words (in Vietnamese), yet it carried a long-term vision: placing unity at the foundation of stability and development.

From that starting point, ethnic affairs gradually evolved into a comprehensive policy system. From the early Office for Ethnic Minorities to today’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the agency has not only advised and implemented policies but also served as a vital bridge between the Party, the State and ethnic minority communities.

Throughout this journey, national solidarity has become a living value - reflected in programs, in tangible changes across the most disadvantaged regions. It has also been the internal strength behind historic turning points, from the August Revolution in 1945 and Dien Bien Phu to the Spring Victory of 1975. In peacetime, it continues to drive development, poverty reduction, stability and the country’s rising position.

This message has been reaffirmed. On April 19, 2026, at a meeting with National Assembly deputies from ethnic minority groups, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized that great national unity remains a strategic line and the decisive source of strength behind all victories of the Vietnamese revolution.

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President Ho Chi Minh attends and delivers a speech at a rally of ethnic communities in the Northwest, held in Son La town to welcome his visit and mark the 5th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 1959). Photo: VNA archives/Ethnic and Mountainous Areas Newspaper

Eighty years on, the decree is more than an organizational decision. It marks the beginning of a people-centered approach, where unity is seen as strength. Over time, ethnic affairs have steadily transformed ideas into policy and policy into lived reality, strengthening the shared will of the nation.

National unity does not remain a slogan. It becomes tangible through people, especially through the training and empowerment of ethnic minority officials.

Across different stages of development, the training, cultivation, use and recognition of ethnic minority officials have received sustained attention. From early training classes at institutions such as the Nung Tri Cao ethnic cadre school to a structured national system, from planning to talent attraction policies - an ecosystem for human resource development in ethnic minority regions has gradually taken shape.

In 2005, according to the Ministry of Interior, Vietnam had 41,936 grassroots-level officials, civil servants and public employees from ethnic minority groups. After 20 years, that number rose to 250,819, according to Report No. 3286/BC-BDTTG dated December 31, 2025 by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.

Beyond grassroots levels, ethnic minority officials are increasingly asserting their roles in state institutions, particularly in the legislative branch. From 37 representatives in the first National Assembly, the number has grown to 76 in the 16th term.

As the “conductor” of ethnic affairs, the agency has, over eight decades, continuously refined policies on training and developing ethnic minority officials - gradually shifting toward building high-quality human resources tied to the comprehensive development of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

In a new era of national development, this work requires a more proactive approach. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has repeatedly stressed that developing human resources and building a strong contingent of ethnic minority officials is a strategic task, one that must begin early and from a distance.

At a meeting with outstanding ethnic minority students and youth in 2025, he assigned relevant agencies to develop a program for training and nurturing future officials from talented students, including the provision of overseas scholarships.

With a steadily growing workforce, the “train” of ethnic policy has continued its journey of strengthening national unity. Along the way, those working in ethnic affairs have not only shaped policies but also persistently carried them to communities.

Since 1986, following the Party’s Renovation policy launched at the Sixth National Congress, ethnic affairs agencies have directly advised, developed and implemented key policies to advance socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

A major turning point came with Resolution No. 22-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo on November 27, 1989, on major policies for socio-economic development in mountainous regions, later institutionalized in Decision No. 72-HDBT dated March 13, 1990.

The decision called for adjusting production relations and reforming management to unlock productivity and harness the combined strength of all economic sectors in mountainous areas - laying the foundation for a commodity-based economy.

This policy sparked a shift, driven by local pioneers within ethnic minority communities. In Ky Son district of Nghe An province, for example, a group of 21 Hmong households led by Vu Chong Pao - later awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in 2010 - developed hillside farming models. As early as 1991, some households earned VND2 million annually from produce and livestock.

From such small communities, the spark of a commodity economy spread across mountainous regions. Supported by a system of investment and socio-economic policies, a wave of transformation followed - driving regional growth and achieving rapid, sustainable poverty reduction.

Between 2021 and 2025, ethnic minority and mountainous regions recorded breakthrough development. Many areas achieved growth rates above the national average: over 8 percent annually in the Northwest, around 7.5 percent in the Central Highlands and more than 7 percent in the Southwest.

Poverty reduction also saw significant results. By the end of 2025, the poverty rate among ethnic minority households had fallen to 9.71 percent. Average income reached VND43.4 million per person per year, a 3.1-fold increase compared to 2020.

From the policy “tracks” laid over decades, ethnic affairs have entered a new phase - one where development thinking is no longer fragmented but designed as an integrated, long-term system.

This is embodied in the Master Plan and the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions for 2021-2030, approved by the National Assembly under Resolution No. 88/2019/QH14 and Resolution No. 120/2020/QH15. Phase I (2021-2025) is being implemented under Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg.

With 10 projects, 14 sub-projects and 36 policy components, the program aims not only to address immediate challenges but also to tackle structural bottlenecks - from infrastructure and livelihoods to education, healthcare, human resources and digital transformation. It marks a shift not just in scale but in quality, moving from support to enabling communities to rise on their own.

As former Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs (2016-2021), now Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien played a key role in designing the master plan. He described it as more than a national target program - it reflects the Party and State’s deep, concrete and special attention to ethnic minority communities as well as Kinh people in mountainous areas.

The program represents an institutional breakthrough in the 80-year journey of delivering policy to communities. From this point, development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions is no longer a local issue but an integral part of the national sustainable development strategy.

The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs was established under Resolution No. 176/2025/QH15 dated February 18, 2025, through the reorganization of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. This move reflects not only administrative restructuring but also a shift in governance thinking - placing ethnic and religious affairs within a unified, mutually reinforcing framework aimed at strengthening national unity.

Bringing the two fields under one institution is expected to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in policy development and implementation, further consolidating the great national unity bloc and supporting the country’s development.

At the announcement ceremony on March 1, 2025, former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the establishment of the ministry demonstrates the Party and State’s deep concern while opening new space for policies to take effect in national development and defense.

After one year of operation, the ministry has shifted from an implementing body to a policy-shaping institution, proactively advising and refining the legal framework for a new phase. In 2025, it completed 11 projects, and in 2026 it is implementing 16, including the amended Law on Belief and Religion, passed by the 16th National Assembly at its first session on April 23.

These early results are laying the foundation for a modern, transparent and effective governance system within a two-tier local government model. Continuing the 80-year journey, the ministry, together with local authorities and communities, is advancing development goals, strengthening unity and reinforcing public trust in the Party and the State.

Over eight decades, ethnic affairs have evolved from mobilizing forces during wartime to building policy systems in peacetime, and now to shaping sustainable development. The constant thread throughout this journey is the building and strengthening of great national unity - the country’s internal source of strength.

In the current stage of development, alongside religious affairs, ethnic affairs continue to play a vital role. Policies in these areas are pillars of the national development strategy, ensuring political stability, strengthening public trust and harnessing the collective strength of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and nearly 28 million religious followers.

At a conference reviewing the first quarter and outlining tasks for the second quarter of 2026 on April 22, Party Secretary and Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang called on departments and units to intensify leadership and decisively implement assigned tasks. He also stressed the importance of closely monitoring grassroots realities and promptly advising the Party, the National Assembly and the Government on issues related to ethnic minority and religious communities, ensuring alignment with policy and practical needs.

To fulfill these tasks, he emphasized the need for a shift in mindset and stronger leadership at all levels. Implementation must deeply reflect the guiding vision of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and the direction of the Politburo, translating strategy into concrete, measurable actions.

Continuing the 80-year trajectory, the call for innovation and decisive action has been clearly set. The newly appointed leader has demonstrated an immediate commitment to discipline and effective policy execution at the grassroots level, turning broad directions into tangible outcomes for communities.

Eighty years is a long enough journey to reflect with pride while clearly identifying the tasks ahead. Built on a foundation shaped by history, ethnic and religious affairs continue their enduring mission: connecting communities, strengthening solidarity and mobilizing all resources to build a fast-developing, sustainable and culturally rich Vietnam.

Eight milestones shaping Vietnam’s ethnic policy journey

1946: Laying the foundation for comprehensive policies supporting ethnic minority communities: The Central Cadre Conference resolution, held from April 3 to April 6, 1946, called for mobilizing ethnic minorities in the resistance and nation-building efforts, with a focus on improving living conditions through measures such as tax exemptions, salt distribution, opening schools, literacy programs and promoting hygiene in minority areas.

1959: Shaping the development direction for mountainous regions: The Secretariat issued Directive No. 128-CT/TW on February 24, 1959, to strengthen work in highland areas, focusing on economic development, improving material and cultural life, and ensuring equality among ethnic groups.

1989-1990: A turning point in the Renovation period: The Politburo issued Resolution No. 22-NQ/TW on November 27, 1989, on major policies for socio-economic development in mountainous areas, later institutionalized by the Council of Ministers in Decision No. 72-HDBT on March 13, 1990. For the first time, mountainous development was placed within the national strategy, paving the way for a commodity-based economy.

1998: A major investment boost: The Prime Minister signed Decision No. 135/1998/QD-TTg on July 31, 1998, approving the socio-economic development program for extremely disadvantaged communes, mountainous and remote areas (Program 135). The program was implemented over three phases until 2020.

2003: Establishing a long-term strategy: At the 7th Plenum of the 9th Central Committee, Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, was issued. This landmark resolution set out strategic directions for rapid and sustainable development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions. It was later reaffirmed in Conclusion No. 65-KL/TW by the Politburo on October 30, 2019.

2004: Direct social welfare policies: The Prime Minister signed Decision No. 134/2004/QD-TTg on July 20, 2004, providing support for production land, housing, residential land and clean water for poor ethnic minority households facing hardship. The policy continues to be implemented under subsequent decisions, including 1592, 755 and 1719.

2019-2020: Designing a comprehensive new phase: The 15th National Assembly approved the master plan and National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2021-2030 (Resolutions No. 88/2019/QH15 and No. 120/2020/QH15). This marked the first dedicated national target program for ethnic minorities, with a 10-year implementation period.

2021-2025: A breakthrough in investment and support policy: The Prime Minister approved Phase I (2021-2025) of the National Target Program under Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg. Integrating 118 policies with a total budget of VND137 trillion (approximately US$5.6 billion), the program aims to address key development bottlenecks in ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

Ethnic cadre training after 1986: building a long-term strategy

1986-2002: Training ethnic minority officials became a key component of the socio-economic development program for disadvantaged communes, mountainous and remote areas under Decision No. 135/1998/QD-TTg, covering 1,715 communes.

2002-2005: The strategy for training ethnic minority officials was identified as a major task in Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, issued by the 9th Party Central Committee.

2005-2007: Laying the foundation for standardizing grassroots officials through the project on training commune-level officials from ethnic minorities for 2006-2010 (Decision No. 31/2006/QD-TTg dated February 6, 2006) and the project to strengthen training and develop personnel in the political system in the Northwest region (Decision No. 106/2007/QD-TTg dated July 13, 2007).

2011-2015: Completing the legal framework for ethnic cadre training policies through Decree No. 05/2011/ND-CP on ethnic affairs, issued on January 14, 2011.

2016-2020: Shifting from meeting standards to long-term human resource development, with planning-oriented policies such as Decision No. 402/QD-TTg dated March 14, 2016, on developing ethnic minority officials, civil servants and public employees in the new period.

2021-2025: Linking training with regional development, digital transformation and sustainability through the implementation of the National Target Program under Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021.

2026-2030: Focusing on improving the quality of ethnic minority officials under the project for developing ethnic minority cadres, civil servants and public employees for 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035, approved under Decision No. 470/QD-TTg dated March 24, 2026.

Vietnam’s population has surpassed 101.5 million, ranking third in Southeast Asia and 15th globally.

Ethnic minority communities account for more than 14.8 million people, representing approximately 14.6 percent of the national population. Between 2014 and 2024, their population grew at an average rate of 1.35 percent per year, higher than the national average.

These communities are primarily concentrated in the Northwest, Central Highlands, Southwest and central coastal regions.

Six ethnic minority groups have populations exceeding one million - Tay, Thai, Muong, Khmer, Mong and Nung - while 14 groups have very small populations of fewer than 10,000 people.

Among them, five ethnic groups have populations below 5,000: O Du, Brau, Ro Mam, Pu Peo and Si La.

Sy Hao - Thai An