The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs held a consultation conference in the central city of Da Nang on October 22 to gather feedback on the draft sixth national report on Vietnam's implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Y Thong emphasized that Vietnam's 2013 Constitution, as amended and supplemented in 2025, establishes the principle that everyone is equal before the law and that no one may be subjected to discrimination.

The Constitution also affirms equality, solidarity, mutual respect and mutual support for development among ethnic groups, as well as equality among religions before the law. It strictly prohibits acts of ethnic discrimination and division.

According to the Deputy Minister, these constitutional provisions demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to ensuring equality, strengthening national solidarity and preventing discriminatory practices.

"On that basis, Vietnam has gradually improved its legal and policy framework to translate constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination into practice," Y Thong said. "At the same time, the country has implemented socioeconomic development programs and policies, with particular attention to ethnic minority and mountainous areas, helping improve living standards, ensure access to essential services and promote the comprehensive development of ethnic communities."

He said preparing the sixth national report serves not only to assess Vietnam's implementation of its international commitments but also to review how constitutional and legal provisions have been translated into practical outcomes.

The process also provides an opportunity to identify outstanding challenges and propose measures to improve the effectiveness of the convention's implementation.

Ministry praised for comprehensive preparation of national report

During the conference, delegates offered recommendations to improve the draft report, emphasizing the need for objectivity, comprehensiveness, accuracy and a faithful reflection of conditions on the ground.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thu Huyen, Deputy Head of a division under the Department of External Relations at the Ministry of Public Security, praised the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs for its thorough preparation of the document.

She said the draft had been carefully compiled using information provided by ministries, government agencies and local authorities.

Its structure, she noted, had addressed most of the recommendations issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the body responsible for monitoring implementation of CERD.

Huyen also suggested adjustments to the report's structure and improvements to certain sections addressing the development and refinement of the legal framework.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Manh Ha, Director of the Da Nang Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, proposed several additions to strengthen the report's relevance to local realities.

These included a consolidated overview of locally tailored policies and innovative initiatives, greater recognition of ethnic minority communities as active participants in development, and stronger representation of their perspectives and voices.

He also recommended linking Vietnam's reporting obligations under CERD more closely with long-term local development strategies.

Sixth national report expected to be finalized by mid-2027

Presenting the preparation schedule, Tran Chi Mai, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, said the sixth national report is being developed through several stages.

The drafting team was established in March 2026, followed by information collection and preparation of the initial draft between April and August.

A technical workshop focusing on the database used to prepare the report was held in July.

The first consultation workshop on the draft took place in October, while the second draft is scheduled to be circulated among relevant ministries and government agencies for feedback in November.

In December, the drafting team will consolidate comments, incorporate relevant recommendations, provide explanations and seek further input from its members on the third draft.

During the first quarter of 2027, the fourth draft will undergo consultations with ministries, local authorities, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.

The document will also be published on the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs' official website to facilitate broader public access and feedback.

In the second quarter of 2027, the report is expected to be finalized and submitted to the Prime Minister before being translated and forwarded to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

At the conference, Deputy Minister Y Thong also presented gifts on behalf of the ministry to respected and influential community representatives in Da Nang.

Concluding the event, he thanked delegates for their active participation and practical contributions to Vietnam's sixth national report on CERD implementation.

He stressed that recommendations drawn from real-world experience are particularly valuable in helping the ministry continue reviewing, refining and completing the document.

Such input, he said, would help ensure that the final report is objective, comprehensive, accurate and consistent with the requirements of the convention.

Ho Giap