Lawmakers push for the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to lead a major national program supporting ethnic minorities and mountainous regions.
On the morning of December 5, the National Assembly (NA) held a plenary session to deliberate on the investment policy for the national target programs on new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas through 2035.
A distinct component for ethnic minority and mountainous communities
Delegate Pham Thi Kieu (Lam Dong Province). Photo: National Assembly
Delegate Pham Thi Kieu from Lam Dong voiced strong support for integrating the three national target programs into a single initiative to better consolidate resources, ensure consistency in management, and reduce overlap, while enhancing transparency and implementation efficiency.
She also agreed with nationwide rollout of the program but emphasized the need to prioritize disadvantaged and highly specific regions, especially those with significant ethnic minority populations.
However, she stressed that integration must not dilute the distinct goals, mechanisms, and approaches of the original programs. Notably, the component targeting ethnic minority and mountainous regions is not only about development - it addresses generational disparities and systemic challenges.
This is the only component that directly impacts the most vulnerable communities living in the most challenging conditions and plays a critical role in maintaining socio-political stability. Therefore, Kieu urged the government and legislature to clarify strategic directions to preserve both cohesion and necessary depth.
First, she proposed creating a dedicated component for ethnic minority and mountainous regions with clear goals, scope, and mechanisms tailored to their unique circumstances. “This ensures that essential regional issues are not lost in generalized objectives,” she emphasized.
Second, she advocated allocating resources based on actual hardship rather than administrative averages. The most challenging regions should receive the strongest support, or the program risks losing its humanitarian focus and its objective of narrowing regional development gaps.
Third, she underscored the need for the ethnic affairs apparatus to centrally manage the unique component. This, she said, is not about adding bureaucracy but ensuring continuity and leveraging proven expertise.
“In reality, state agencies dedicated to ethnic affairs best understand the local context, have data, and possess the capacity to directly implement initiatives at the community level,” she concluded.
Based on these principles, Kieu proposed that the investment policy announcement should specify: “The agency responsible for ethnic affairs shall lead Component 2, coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors.” She noted this aligns with the spirit of the National Assembly Standing Committee’s Conclusion No. 4665 dated November 27, 2025.
She also proposed that the National Assembly’s resolution should clarify: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will lead the overall program as per the Public Investment Law, while the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will lead Component 2 to ensure consistency and alignment with the unique conditions of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.”
“If the program is designed along these lines, I believe we can build a more modern, effective, and humane management model. This is not merely a public investment initiative, but a foundation to bridge development gaps, strengthen national solidarity, and ensure long-term sustainable growth,” the Lam Dong delegate said.
At least 70% of central budget should be allocated to ethnic minority areas
Delegate Ha Sy Dong (Quang Tri Province). Photo: National Assembly
Delegate Ha Sy Dong from Quang Tri - member of the National Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee - called for the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to lead the component on ethnic minority and mountainous development through 2035 as the program's central coordinator.
He also urged stronger decentralization, giving localities the authority to choose project lists, particularly for small and technically simple ones. He emphasized simplifying investment procedures, clearly defining leadership accountability, and creating a “legal safety zone” to encourage innovative and proactive officials.
However, Dong raised concerns about the current funding model, which expects 33% from local budgets and 28% from businesses and communities. This, he argued, is unrealistic for poor provinces that remain heavily reliant on central support.
“I propose revising the cost-sharing ratio, especially for mountainous and remote areas - where even a 10% match is a major challenge. Also, the allocation principle must be clear: at least 70% of central budget funds should go to ethnic minority and mountainous regions, with a minimum of 40% for extremely disadvantaged areas, to ensure investments go to the right places,” Dong said, echoing support for empowering local authorities in project review and decisions.
Regarding investment content and key components, Dong highlighted that production development must be seen as the core driver of program effectiveness and sustainability.
In addition, he stressed the importance of supporting other essential aspects directly affecting people’s lives such as basic infrastructure, vocational transition, processing industries, sustainable forestry, access to clean water, housing, and land for production - especially in highland and border areas.
“I propose prioritizing the production development component, as job creation and income growth are most critical. We should also create mechanisms for selecting enterprises and cooperatives as value chain anchors, boost preferential credit instead of direct handouts, and accelerate digital economy, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure in hard-hit areas,” he recommended.
The Quang Tri delegate also suggested that the final resolution should mandate full disclosure of project lists, funding, timelines, and outcomes via digital platforms, with oversight by the Fatherland Front and local communities in real time. This, he said, is key to maximizing effectiveness and preventing corruption.
To ensure accountability and viability, Dong called on the National Assembly to require a mid-term government report in 2029 on progress, disbursement, and outcomes. He also suggested adopting independent KPI-based assessments as the basis for capital allocation for 2031–2035.
Program structure
The national program includes two components:
Component 1: General activities to be implemented nationwide, focused on new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and overall socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions.
Component 2: Specific activities designed exclusively for ethnic minority and mountainous areas. This component includes five distinct content groups and provides additional support tailored to the needs of these communities and related populations.
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