Dong Nai: Caring for the lives of ethnic minority people

In recent times, Dong Nai has paid attention to implementing many policies and support programs to help ethnic minority people improve their lives. Given the actual situation and the province's development requirements in the new period, this attention is increasingly emphasized.

Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province Ha Anh Dung presents funding for the construction of a Great Unity house worth 100 million VND, donated by Comrade Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, to a household in the ethnic minority area in Tho Son commune. Photo: Van Truyen

Within the framework of the 8th year-end Session of the 10th Provincial People's Council, when contributing to the socio-economic development program for 2026 and the 2026-2030 period, many delegates of the Provincial People's Council were interested in discussing and contributing solutions for this work.

Many issues need continued attention

After the merger, Dong Nai province has a population of nearly 4.5 million people, of whom, ethnic minorities account for over 421,000 people, equal to nearly 9.4% of the total provincial population, with 37 ethnic groups. In 2025, ethnic affairs and social welfare work in the province continued to be ensured. The National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas basically achieved the set goals and plans; the lives of ethnic minority people are increasingly improving. Ethnic minority people trust the Party's and State's guidelines, policies, and laws.

Besides the achievements, when discussing the socio-economic development program for 2026 and the 2026-2030 period within the framework of the 8th Session of the 10th Provincial People's Council, many deputies of the Provincial People's Council frankly acknowledged some issues that need continued attention. These include the continued difficulties in the lives of ethnic minority people, a high risk of re-poverty, illiteracy not being completely eradicated, and inconsistent participation in health insurance.

Provincial Party Committee member, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Le Thi Thai said: Recently, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission had a working trip to grasp the situation in border areas and ethnic minority areas in the province. From the actual situation assessment, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission realized that many synchronous solutions need to be implemented to contribute to better care for the lives of ethnic minority people. In particular, it is necessary to continue supporting ethnic minority people to develop livelihoods suitable to the specific characteristics of each region and ethnic group; promote production associated with value chains and stable consumption markets; strengthen vocational training in accordance with practical needs, create sustainable local jobs, combined with investment in essential infrastructure such as transportation, electricity, clean water, and digital infrastructure to serve production and improve the quality of life, as well as continue to support housing, clean water, and food security for areas still facing many difficulties; at the same time, preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic groups associated with community tourism development, creating more livelihoods and increasing income for the people.

In addition, it is necessary to promote propaganda on economic development among ethnic minority people, promote the spirit of self-reliance; support ethnic minority people in developing traditional crafts, and preserving good traditional cultural values. It remains equally important to ensure health insurance coverage for all ethnic minority people; at the same time, strengthen the capacity of grassroots health facilities, commune health stations, and village health workers; increase rotating doctors and bilingual health communication so that people clearly understand their rights and proactively access health services.

Implementing many synchronous solutions

Comrade Ha Anh Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, believes that: As a rapidly developing province with a diverse population, Dong Nai must keep its ethnic affairs one step ahead, have a long-term vision, clearly define the responsibilities of each level, each sector, and the participation of the community.

M'nong ethnic people of Bu Gia Map commune receive attention for the preservation and promotion of brocade weaving. Photo: Q.A

Pointing out some current situations and solutions, comrade Ha Anh Dung stated: In implementing the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, many localities still face difficulties due to bauxite and forestry land planning issues; inter-sectoral coordination is slow; many communes have not yet disbursed funds... Therefore, it is proposed that the Provincial People's Committee direct efforts to resolve difficulties, accelerate disbursement progress, and effectively coordinate among relevant agencies.

At the recent 8th Session of the 10th Provincial People's Council, the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs advised the Provincial People's Committee to submit and got approval from the Provincial People's Council for the Resolution regulating support policies for prestigious individuals of ethnic minority communities in Dong Nai province and the Resolution stipulating policies to support ethnic minority students in Dong Nai province. This contributes to caring for ethnic minorities in the province.

Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs DIEU NEN

Also, according to comrade Ha Anh Dung, currently, most officials in charge of ethnic affairs are new personnel, with limited experience and ability to access policies. Therefore, it is necessary to organize in-depth training and workshops according to policy groups, linking training with practical grassroots situations. On the other hand, there’s a need to stabilize personnel in charge of ethnic affairs during the transition period, avoiding disruption of work. It is necessary to innovate propaganda and mobilization for ethnic minorities, especially by integrating propaganda content into community cultural activities, increasing familiarity and accessibility; promoting the role of prestigious individuals and village elders; linking propaganda with practical livelihood models to help people clearly see the effectiveness and actively participate.

Vo Trong Hoa, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai-based Bank for Social Policies, stated: It is necessary to build a centralized and easily accessible database for ethnic affairs. Based on this, the development and implementation of policies for ethnic minorities will be practical, effective, and timely.

From local realities, contributions from delegates, and the aspirations of voters and the people, in the Resolution on the Socio-Economic, National Defense, and Security Development Plan for 2026 of Dong Nai province, approved by the Provincial People's Council at its 8th Session, the Provincial People's Council clearly outlined many solutions to better care for the lives of ethnic minorities.

These include effectively implementing the Strategy for Ethnic Affairs in Dong Nai province for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, in accordance with Resolution No. 10/NQ-CP dated January 28, 2022, of the Government on the Strategy for Ethnic Affairs for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, adapted to the situation of Dong Nai province; effectively implementing the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026-2035 period; continuing to innovate and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state management in ethnic affairs; the content and methods of propaganda and dissemination of Party guidelines, State laws, and policies to ethnic minorities; effectively implementing preferential policies for those who rendered meritorious services to the revolution, social welfare, sustainable poverty reduction, social security policies, child care, gender equality, ethnic and religious policies, especially for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, remote and isolated areas...

By Ho Thao-Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha