Strengthening mass mobilization among ethnic minority communities

The Resolution of the first Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term identifies people as the center, the driving force, the resource and the goal of development. It emphasizes the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values, improvement of both material and spiritual life, especially for ethnic minority communities, religious groups and border areas, and the narrowing of development gaps among localities and areas across the province.

Le Thi Thai, member of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Deputy Head of the PPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization (sixth from left), presents gifts to ethnic minority residents in Hung Phuoc commune.

To translate the resolution into action, the province has placed strong emphasis on mass mobilization work in ethnic minority areas, while paying close attention to improving both living standards and spiritual well-being.

Practical and targeted support

Nguyen Thi Hong Trang, Standing Deputy Head of the PPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization, said that in implementing the resolution and its action program, the Provincial Party Standing Committee has assigned the commission to draft a resolution aimed at strengthening the Party’s leadership in building national unity and promoting comprehensive development in ethnic minority and border areas.

In recent years, ethnic affairs in Dong Nai have recorded positive results. Activities from the provincial to communal levels, have increasingly focused on grassroots needs, ensuring tangible benefits for local people.

During the 2021–2025 period, economic growth in ethnic minority areas remained stable at an average of 3–4 percent per year. Average per capita income rose from VND36.5 million in 2021 to nearly VND46 million in 2025, approximately close to 30 percent of the province’s average GRDP per capita.

Education and healthcare networks in these areas were strengthened and expanded, with 100 percent of communes now equipped with schools and health stations. The school attendance rate among ethnic minority students reached 91.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the application of information technology in ethnic minority and border areas initially yielded positive results. Notably, several e-commerce models were introduced to support the consumption of local agricultural products, helping expand markets, increase incomes and gradually modernize production and business practices.

Human resource development among ethnic minorities also received attention. The province currently has 1,081 ethnic minority officials, civil servants and public employees, accounting for 1.54 percent of the total.

Communication and advocacy efforts have been tailored to the characteristics of each ethnic group and locality. The role of village elders and reputable community figures continues to be promoted in mobilizing residents, resolving conflicts, building cultural life and strengthening trust in Party and State policies.

Political security, social order and safety in ethnic minority areas have largely been maintained, while national border sovereignty has been firmly safeguarded.

Ka’ Tuyen, a S’tieng resident in Ta Lai commune, shared that the area is home to many Ma and S’tieng people. Local residents, she said, maintain strong trust in Party and State leadership, remain united in building new lives, and many have overcome difficulties through innovation in learning and labor while preserving their cultural identity.

Preserving cultural identity of ethnic groups

Thanks to attention from both central and provincial authorities, along with local efforts, living conditions in ethnic minority areas have continued to improve.

Loc Thanh commune, where ethnic minorities account for nearly 37 percent of the population, has recorded clear socio-economic progress. With strong leadership and unity across the political system and the community, the locality has gradually tapped into its border-area potential.

Lam Nho, a Khmer resident in Loc Thanh commune, noted that the commune has recently focused on restoring and promoting the cultural identity of S’tieng and Khmer communities. This includes investment in projects such as the K Lieu water reservoir and facilities for traditional musical instruments, as well as the establishment of gong ensembles, folk singing and traditional dance groups. These efforts not only preserve cultural heritage but also create opportunities for community-based tourism linked to economic development.

At a recent conference on the draft Provincial Party resolution on ethnic affairs, Nguyen Thi Hong Trang, Standing Deputy Head of the PPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization, emphasized that the province’s attention to ethnic affairs has contributed to strengthening the great national unity bloc and reinforcing trust among ethnic minority communities in Party and State leadership.

However, alongside these achievements, participants at the conference noted that challenges and limitations remain in ethnic affairs and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and border areas.

To further improve outcomes, it is essential to recognize the development of ethnic minority and border areas as a long-term and particularly important political task, closely linked to strengthening the great national unity bloc, reinforcing national defense and security, and safeguarding border sovereignty.

Ensuring comprehensive and direct leadership of the Party, mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system, and placing people at the center of development remain key principles. At the same time, balanced development across economic, cultural and social dimensions—along with environmental protection and cultural preservation—must be maintained, while enhancing resilience to climate change and promoting sustainable growth.

Effective mobilization and use of resources, focused investment, and a balanced combination between short-term and long-term goals are also critical. In addition, national policies should be adapted in a timely and comprehensive manner to suit local conditions, ensuring alignment between socio-economic development, ethnic affairs and human resource development.

Dong Nai aims to build its ethnic minority and border areas into regions of comprehensive and sustainable development, with stable economic growth, continuously improved living standards, preserved cultural identity, strong national defense and security, and an effective grassroots political system. The province also seeks to narrow development gaps, accelerate digital transformation in local governance and public service delivery, and gradually establish digital government at the grassroots and digital society in rural areas.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha