Deputy Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religions Y Thong, together with ministry leaders and specialists, attended the event. The Thai delegation was led by Jittima Kreearee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare.

Hoang Thi Le, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, introduced the Vietnamese ministry, officially established on March 1, 2025, from the reorganization of the Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the transfer of religious affairs from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry’s creation reflects the Party and State’s commitment to fostering national unity, improving living standards for ethnic minorities, and protecting freedom of belief and religion.

Over the years, under a bilateral cooperation memorandum, the two agencies have organized reciprocal visits, exchanging knowledge and best practices in ethnic policy development.

Jittima Kreearee highlighted the positive results of these collaborations, noting they have strengthened human capacity, informed policy-making, and improved the lives of ethnic minorities in both countries. She expressed confidence that the current talks would deepen ties and yield tangible benefits for all ethnic communities.

During the open and friendly discussions, both sides shared experiences in policy-making, reviewed Vietnam’s National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for 2021-2030, and discussed the outcomes of its first phase (2021-2025) as well as plans for phase two (2026-2030). They also examined Thailand’s own approaches to ethnic policy.

Deputy Minister Y Thong welcomed the Thai delegation, praised Thailand’s valuable insights, and affirmed they would help Vietnam refine its policies, improving the quality of life for ethnic minorities. He expressed hope for continued cooperation, regular exchanges, and stronger ties between the two ministries.

Hoang Quy