Eighty years ago, on May 3, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree establishing the Agency for Ethnic Minority Affairs. From the early days of building a “people-based foundation” to today’s phase of comprehensive development, ethnic affairs have become a strategic pillar of the nation.

Looking back on the 80-year journey, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang emphasized that the most important shift in the new era is moving from a mindset of “support” to one of “empowering development,” ensuring that ethnic communities are truly the goal, the center, and the driving force of the development process.

Looking back over the 80-year journey of formation and development, what are the most important milestones and outstanding achievements of ethnic affairs?

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President Ho Chi Minh visits and takes a commemorative photo with a Dao family in Tuyen Quang province during the resistance war against French colonialism (top image); President Ho Chi Minh poses for a commemorative photo with heroes and soldiers from the South.

Photo: VNA archives/Vietnam Pictorial – Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Regions Magazine

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: Ethnic issues, ethnic affairs, and the great unity among ethnic groups have always been identified by the Party and the State as fundamental, long-term strategic matters, decisive to the country’s revolutionary cause.

Throughout historical periods, ethnic affairs have remained closely tied to the nation’s central tasks. During the resistance war against French colonialism, the focus was on strengthening trust, building revolutionary governance in ethnic minority areas, and creating a firm “people’s posture.” After 1954, the organizational system was consolidated and gradually upgraded, reflecting the growing importance of ethnic affairs in state management.

During the resistance war against the US, ethnic affairs in the North not only advised policies and improved living conditions but also mobilized public strength, contributing to a solid rear base and the overall power that led to national reunification.

In the South between 1954 and 1975, ethnic affairs focused on building the great national unity bloc, bringing together ethnic groups, religions, and social strata. A key milestone was the establishment of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in 1960, mobilizing ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands and revolutionary base areas to participate in both political and armed struggles.

In peacetime, as the country builds and develops, ethnic unity continues to serve as the foundation for political stability and a vital driver of development and national standing. State agencies responsible for ethnic affairs are not only policy advisors but also direct bridges, conveying the voices, aspirations, and concerns of ethnic communities to the Party and State, while ensuring effective policy implementation.

Several policy milestones have clearly shaped the direction of ethnic affairs. Resolution 22-NQ/TW in 1989 introduced a new mindset on commodity-based economic development in mountainous areas, institutionalized by Decision 72/HDBT in 1990. Program 135, launched in 1998, created a major investment push. Resolution 24-NQ/TW in 2003 established a long-term strategy, while Conclusion 65-KL/TW in 2019 further refined thinking and orientation in the new context.

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General Vo Nguyen Giap visits ethnic communities in Dien Bien province, 2004.

Notably, the National Assembly’s issuance of Resolutions 88 and 120, along with the implementation of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2021–2030, marked a major shift from fragmented policies to a comprehensive, integrated, and long-term approach.

The 2021–2025 period represents a breakthrough in both investment and implementation. Synchronized policies have helped narrow development gaps between regions, significantly improve material and spiritual life, and strengthen national defense, security, and socio-political stability.

A particularly significant milestone was the establishment of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in 2025. This was not merely an organizational change but reflected a new stage in governance thinking, placing ethnic and religious affairs within a unified framework closely linked to strengthening national unity.

In March 2026, the Ministry reviewed ethnic affairs for 2021–2025. Achievements over the past five years, from economic growth and poverty reduction to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and cultural development, represent not only the success of a phase but the culmination of an 80-year journey marked by consistent policy direction.

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Former Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Affairs Do Van Chien (now Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly) and delegates speak with local residents of Binh Dan commune, Van Don district (former), Quang Ninh province during the Great National Unity Festival in 2019.

Economic growth in ethnic minority and mountainous regions has remained strong, with many areas outperforming the national average: the Northwest region over 8 percent annually, the Central Highlands around 7.5 percent, and the Southwest over 7 percent, compared to the national GDP growth of 7.09 percent in 2024.

Poverty reduction remains a standout achievement. The poverty rate among ethnic minorities dropped from 29 percent in 2020 to 9.71 percent by the end of 2025.

This success forms a foundation for sustainable development, reflecting the integrated impact of state investment programs, particularly the National Target Program 1719 for 2021–2025.

Under this program, 6,018 transport works, 442 electricity projects, 1,787 cultural houses and community centers, 986 small irrigation works, and 281 markets were built, alongside maintenance of 5,484 infrastructure projects.

Project 1 of the program supported housing land for 10,549 households, production land for 13,387 households, and job transitions for 54,999 households. It also provided decentralized clean water to 479,358 households and built 809 centralized water supply systems.

A highlight of 2025 and the 2021–2025 period was the nationwide program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing, which exceeded 230 percent of its target and was completed four years and four months ahead of schedule.

Investment resources have also driven notable improvements in culture, education, and healthcare. A key development is the implementation of tuition exemptions and support from preschool to high school starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, along with plans to invest in 248 boarding and semi-boarding schools in border communes.

In the cultural sector alone, Program 1719 funded 3,220 cultural and sports facilities, developed 69 traditional tourism destinations, and preserved 124 traditional festivals.

These achievements, from improving living standards to preserving culture, have strengthened ethnic minorities’ trust in the Party and State, contributing to political stability and security, particularly in strategic and border areas.

What lessons from the past 80 years should continue to be upheld in the current context?

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: Over 80 years, ethnic affairs have yielded many valuable theoretical and practical lessons.

First, the great unity among ethnic groups is a long-standing tradition, a priceless asset, and a fundamental source of strength for Vietnam’s revolution. It is both a goal and a method for mobilizing the nation’s full potential.

Second, development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas must be guided by a long-term strategic vision, with people serving as the subject, goal, center, and driving force.

Third, economic development must be harmonized with preserving and promoting cultural identity. Sustainability depends heavily on how well policies align with each ethnic group’s cultural and spiritual characteristics.

Above all, the leadership of the Party, unified state management, and active participation of the entire political system and population are decisive factors for effective ethnic affairs.

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Resettlement homes of the Dan Lai community in Nghe An.

In the context of global and regional changes, what challenges does ethnic affairs face?

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: Vietnam currently has 14.7 million ethnic minority citizens and nearly 28 million religious followers. After administrative restructuring, there are 1,514 communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, accounting for 45 percent nationwide, along with 205 additional communes that include such villages.

Among nearly 34,000 villages in these areas across 32 provinces and cities, more than 13,000 remain extremely disadvantaged. The scale, scope, and complexity of ethnic affairs continue to expand.

Development gaps between these regions and the national average remain significant, particularly in income, human resource quality, access to basic services, and market development.

Livelihood sustainability is still limited. Investment resources are fragmented, coordination mechanisms not fully synchronized, and disparities persist in access to clean water, nutrition, quality education, and digital services.

Climate change, natural disasters, landslides, and population displacement are increasing vulnerability. Meanwhile, religious and spiritual life is becoming more diverse, with new issues emerging, especially in cyberspace, requiring flexible and timely management.

During the 2021–2025 period, to support sustainable development, Program 1719 has funded 6,018 transport projects, 442 electricity works, 1,787 cultural houses and community facilities, 986 small-scale irrigation projects, and 281 markets, while also maintaining and repairing 5,484 infrastructure works.

Housing land support has been provided to 10,549 households, production land to 13,387 households, and job transitions to 54,999 households.

Decentralized clean water access has been supported for 479,358 households, alongside the construction of 809 centralized water supply systems.

The nationwide program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing has exceeded 230 percent of its target, completing the goal four years and four months ahead of schedule.

Plans are in place to invest in 248 boarding and semi-boarding schools in border communes, with 100 schools expected to be completed in the 2026–2027 academic year.

Investment has also been directed toward 3,220 cultural and sports facilities, 69 traditional tourism destinations, and the preservation of 124 traditional festivals.

What key solutions should be prioritized to ensure effective implementation of major programs?

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: The 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the Government Party Committee have defined a new development orientation, shifting from simple support to sustainable development based on enhancing endogenous capacity.

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Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang visits and presents gifts to the Patriotic Buddhist Solidarity Association of Vinh Long province on the occasion of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay festival of the Khmer community.

At a meeting with ethnic minority National Assembly deputies on April 20, General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized that ethnic affairs must be placed within the broader national development strategy, with a shift toward enabling people to rise and improve their lives sustainably.

Policies are only effective when designed in an integrated way, centered on people, driven by data, and measured by actual improvements in living standards.

Key solutions include improving institutions and state management efficiency, transitioning from fragmented programs to streamlined policies with measurable outcomes, and strengthening decentralization with accountability.

Economic development must focus on sustainable livelihoods, shifting from support to empowering communities, enhancing production capacity, governance, and market access.

Infrastructure and digital connectivity must be developed in a synchronized and sustainable manner, addressing essential needs without spreading resources too thin.

Specific bottlenecks, such as land allocation and water supply, must be resolved with flexible mechanisms suited to mountainous conditions.

Human resource development and quality social services, especially in healthcare and education for women and children, should be prioritized.

At the same time, cultural preservation must be linked with development, connecting heritage, traditional crafts, language, and indigenous knowledge with tourism and livelihoods.

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A renewed and improving life for ethnic communities in the Central Highlands.

What are the ministry’s key priorities moving forward?

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: Institutional improvement remains the foundation for unlocking resources. The ministry will review and propose new resolutions to replace Resolution 24-NQ/TW and Conclusion 65-KL/TW to meet new requirements.

It will focus on grassroots-level issues, strengthen local ethnic and religious cadres, and enhance implementation capacity.

Legal frameworks will be updated, including a new decree on ethnic affairs and revisions to regulations guiding the Law on Belief and Religion.

Coordination will be strengthened to ensure effective implementation of national target programs for 2026–2030, with greater decentralization and efficient resource use.

Policies for ethnic minority students and youth will be improved, alongside job creation and sustainable labor connectivity programs for 2026–2031.

The ministry will also complete national databases on ethnic and religious affairs, linking them with population data systems, and reduce administrative procedures to under 30 percent at the ministerial level.

On the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of state management in ethnic affairs (May 3, 1946 – May 3, 2026), what would you like to share?

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang: I extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to ethnic minorities, religious communities, and dignitaries nationwide.

The message I wish to emphasize is unity, trust, and shared development.

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Within the framework of the 2025 ceremony honoring outstanding ethnic minority pupils, students, and youth, General Secretary To Lam (now General Secretary and State President) poses for a commemorative photo with the delegation of exemplary ethnic minority students and young people.

I hope people continue to trust the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies while actively participating in socio-economic development, preserving cultural identity, and building a good and meaningful life.

The State will continue to improve policies and create favorable conditions, but sustainable development depends on each individual and community taking initiative and striving forward.

I also hope religious organizations continue to promote positive values, contributing to strengthening national unity.

As General Secretary and State President To Lam once shared, maintaining peace in villages contributes to national stability, and innovation in thinking and action is essential for sustainable development.

The 80th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect but also a starting point for a new journey with stronger determination and more decisive action. With unity and resilience, ethnic and religious communities will continue to play a vital role in Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development.

Ha Anh - Sy Hao