Defending national solidarity in Vietnam’s ethnic minority regions

“Whether Kinh, Tho, Muong, Man, Gia Rai, E De, Xe Dang, Ba Na or any other ethnic minority group, all are descendants of Vietnam and brothers and sisters of the same family. We share life and death, happiness and hardship, and help one another through times of hunger and need.”

President Ho Chi Minh’s message in a letter sent to the Congress of Southern Ethnic Minorities in Pleiku on April 19, 1946, remains deeply relevant today, particularly as hostile forces continue to exploit ethnic and religious issues in attempts to sow division and weaken national unity.

From the perspective of ethnic minority communities in Southwest Vietnam, VietNamNet presents the series “Safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation from Southwest Vietnam” in the current context.

Cyberspace becomes an increasingly complex battleground

Throughout Vietnam’s development, social media and digital platforms have generated significant benefits. Across Southwest Vietnam, local authorities have used online platforms to promote community-based tourism, market agricultural products, support cooperatives, create jobs and preserve traditional crafts, particularly in ethnic minority areas.

However, the rapid expansion of digital communication has also transformed cyberspace into a major ideological battleground exploited by hostile actors seeking to undermine Vietnam.

In the past, misleading narratives often appeared in the form of secretly distributed materials or easily identifiable public statements. Today, those tactics have evolved into more sophisticated methods. Edited videos, distorted remarks and fabricated stories centered on ethnic and religious issues are increasingly used to provoke dissatisfaction, mistrust and social division.

In many cases, organizations opposed to the State have attempted to manipulate public perception by portraying individuals accused of legal violations as victims or advocates of religious freedom, aiming to generate pressure and stir controversy.

On April 29, the Investigation Security Agency of Vinh Long Provincial Police announced legal proceedings and the detention of Thach Chanh Tra, 54, from Long Hiep Commune, on allegations of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State and the lawful rights of organizations and individuals.

According to investigators, since 2025 he had allegedly used social media to post, share and livestream content containing false information while participating in discussions that distorted Party guidelines and State policies and laws. Authorities also accused him of damaging the reputation of government agencies, organizations and individuals.

The case is not isolated.

In 2024, the People's Court of Vinh Long Province sentenced Thach Chanh Da Ra, born in 1990, to six years in prison and Duong Khai, born in 1994, to five years and nine months on charges related to abusing democratic freedoms and unlawful detention.

Kim Khiem, born in 1978, received a three-year prison sentence on similar charges, while Thach Ve Sanal, born in 1987, was sentenced to two years and six months for unlawful detention.

Thach Chanh Da Ra had previously served as a monk at Dai Tho Pagoda in Loan My Commune. From 2020 until his arrest in March 2024, authorities said he and Kim Khiem repeatedly used social media platforms to publish, share and livestream false information, defamatory content and material that damaged the reputation of institutions and individuals.

A particularly serious incident occurred on November 22, 2023, when a delegation from Tam Binh District authorities, Loan My Commune authorities and two local Buddhist representatives visited Dai Tho Pagoda to conduct official business.

The pagoda gates were locked, and according to court findings, members of the delegation were assaulted, detained inside the main hall and prevented from leaving.

Authorities described these actions as serious legal violations incompatible with the standards expected of members of the Buddhist Sangha and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Subsequently, a disciplinary council voted unanimously to expel Thach Chanh Da Ra and revoke recognition of his membership.

Following these cases, a number of overseas-based organizations and media platforms published articles criticizing the legal actions taken by Vietnamese authorities.

According to officials, a common tactic employed by hostile organizations is to use isolated incidents to make broader allegations regarding human rights, ethnic affairs and religious freedom in Vietnam. The goal, authorities argue, is to internationalize domestic issues, create diplomatic pressure and encourage separatist or divisive sentiments.

Several organizations have cited information from groups such as the Khmer Krom Federation and Christian Solidarity Worldwide while arguing that individuals involved in these cases were unfairly targeted and calling for their release.

Vietnam comprises six provinces and centrally governed cities, covering approximately four million hectares and home to 27 ethnic groups.

Among them, the Khmer community, closely associated with Theravada Buddhism, forms an important part of Vietnam’s ethnic mosaic.

Because of this diversity, authorities say hostile organizations frequently attempt to exploit ethnic and religious differences by promoting narratives calling for the creation of a so-called “Khmer Kampuchea Krom State.”

Overseas organizations associated with such causes have used social media to target monks and individuals holding extremist views, seeking to recruit support and spread divisive messaging.

Officials argue that the ultimate objective of these efforts extends beyond generating negative publicity. Their broader aim is to weaken public trust in the Party and State, disrupt relationships among ethnic and religious communities and create social and political instability.

As a result, identifying and countering such activities is viewed not only as a responsibility of security agencies but also as a task requiring the participation of the entire political system and society.

In Ca Mau Province, Steering Committee 35 and provincial propaganda and mass mobilization agencies have increasingly diversified communication efforts in recent years.

Their work focuses on explaining Party guidelines, State policies and laws, highlighting socio-economic achievements and strengthening understanding of Party-building efforts and political institutions.

Local authorities have also prioritized promoting successful development models, effective grassroots initiatives and examples of individuals following Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality and leadership style.

At a conference held on May 7 concerning the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation and efforts to counter hostile viewpoints, Huynh Quoc Viet, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ca Mau Provincial Party Committee and head of the provincial Steering Committee 35, stressed the need for continuous innovation in communication strategies.

He emphasized strengthening the persuasiveness and effectiveness of public outreach, closely monitoring public sentiment and proactively providing guidance whenever sensitive issues emerge.

Authorities also seek to maximize the advantages of digital platforms, improve online engagement capabilities and expand the dissemination of positive stories related to economic development, successful local initiatives and effective governance.

Like other localities across Vietnam, Can Tho has recently undertaken major reforms, including streamlining administrative structures, consolidating administrative units, building a two-tier local government model, organizing Party congresses and preparing for elections to the 16th National Assembly and local People's Councils for the 2026-2031 term.

Recognizing that such transitions may provide opportunities for hostile actors to spread misinformation and distort policy changes, local authorities have intensified efforts to protect the Party’s ideological foundation.

Tran Van Huyen, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho Party Committee and head of the city's Steering Committee 35, said the current environment demands a more proactive, timely and effective approach to countering false and hostile narratives.

He stressed that local authorities must move beyond traditional communication methods and focus on creating compelling media content, shaping public opinion and strengthening public confidence.