The Directive states that in recent years, thanks to the attention of the Party and the State, numerous ethnic policies and programs have been issued and implemented, including the Ethnic Affairs Strategy for 2021-2030 with a vision toward 2045 under Government Resolution No. 10/NQ-CP dated January 28, 2022. These efforts have contributed significantly to improving living conditions in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

The material and spiritual well-being of ethnic minority communities have improved markedly, with poverty reduction in these regions outpacing the national average.

Equality, solidarity, mutual respect and cooperation among ethnic groups have continued to be strengthened, contributing to greater public confidence in the leadership of the Party and the State as well as to political stability and social order nationwide.

However,  the socio-economic development in many ethnic minority and mountainous areas remains slow, with infrastructure still falling short of development needs. Educational quality and human resources capacity remain limited, while the training, recruitment and employment of ethnic minority officials in some localities have yet to receive adequate attention. Certain areas also continue to face latent risks related to political security and social order, alongside unsolved issues concerning housing land, production land, access to clean water and residential planning.

To accelerate the implementation of the strategy, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to carry out the following key tasks:

The Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, particularly Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, on ethnic affairs in the new context; Conclusion No. 65-KL/TW dated October 30, 2019, of the Politburo on continuing implementation of Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW; Government Resolution No. 10/NQ-CP dated January 28, 2022; and Decision No. 1657/QD-TTg dated December 30, 2022, approving the action program for implementing the strategy.

The directive also calls for improving the effectiveness of state management in ethnic affairs and institutionalizing the Party’s viewpoints into concrete mechanisms and policies. Inspection and supervision of ethnic policy implementation are to be strengthened.

Authorities are required to accelerate the implementation of policies, programs and projects in ethnic minority and mountainous areas while proactively mobilizing and integrating resources, especially in extremely disadvantaged regions.

Particular emphasis will be placed on linking socio-economic development with environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources, national defence and social security, thereby contributing to sustainable development and strengthening the great national unity bloc.

Under the directive, ministries were assigned specific responsibilities. The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will take the lead in monitoring, supervising and compiling annual reports on implementation results.

The ministry is also tasked with urgently issuing guidance documents for localities to effectively implement programs on new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2026-2035 with Phase I covering 2026–2030.

The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs was tasked with coordinating implementation and prioritising the resolution of urgent issues such as housing, residential land, production land, electricity, clean water and essential infrastructure to stabilise livelihoods in ethnic minority communities.

In additon, the Ministry will also advise on the development and implementation of tasks, projects and policies in line with conclusions issued by Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm and other senior Party and State leaders.