Fostering Ethnic Development for Prosperous Bac Giang Province

The Committee for Ethnic Affairs of Bac Giang Province has effectively implemented ethnic policies and projects, fulfilling its responsibilities and driving local socioeconomic development. These efforts have improved quality of life and contributed to Bac Giang's continued progress.

The 4th Bac Giang Provincial Ethnic Minority Congress in 2024

Effective ethnic work

Over 14% of the population in the northern mountainous province of Bac Giang are ethnic minorities, or about 260,000 people, mainly living in Son Dong, Luc Ngan, Luc Nam and Yen The districts.

In 2024, despite various difficulties and challenges, with the timely and close leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee, and the effort of all levels of authority, sectors and people, Bac Giang province continued to see good progress in socioeconomic performance, national defense and security in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas. The material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities has been improved; infrastructure has been reinforced; and education and healthcare have made much progress.

To achieve these results, the Committee for Ethnic Affairs of Bac Giang Province always closely coordinates with relevant agencies and localities to effectively perform State administration of ethnic affairs, said Mr. Vi Thanh Quyen, Director of the Committee for Ethnic Affairs of Bac Giang Province. Notably, it coordinated in removing difficulties and obstacles and guiding the implementation of the National Target Program on Socioeconomic Development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (Program 1719). Each year, the committee works closely with relevant bodies to propose project plans and policies, issue guidance promptly, and oversee implementation through regular inspection and supervision. Efforts in communication, digital transformation and legal education are diversified, raising public awareness, promoting development and ensuring security in ethnic minority areas. The committee also stays proactive, tailoring plans to local needs, enhancing employee responsibility, and maintaining close monitoring of security and order.

Helping economic development and sustainable poverty reduction

In 2022-2024, the central, provincial and district budgets for implementing the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas according to Decision 1719/QD-TTg in Bac Giang province was VND1,334.87 billion. The program invested in building 224 projects, implemented 142 transitional projects, maintained and repaired 225 projects, upgraded eight markets and implemented nine traffic upgrading projects.

To date, 100% of households have access to electricity, 100% of communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas have roads for automobiles to reach their administrative centers; 98.31% of commune roads, 98% of village and inter-village roads and 92.76% of alley and hamlet roads are asphalted or concreted. 100% of communes and villages in ethnic minority areas have cultural houses.

The province has 42 out of 73 communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas meet new rural development standards, accounting for 57.5%. The average income of ethnic minorities is VND45 million a year. The life of the poor and ethnic minorities has improved and there are no more hungry households. The poverty rate in extremely poor communes decreased from 21.9% in 2021 to 13.57% in 2023. The rate of poor ethnic minorities households declined from 11.93% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2023.

In 2019-2024, over 200 ethnic minority households escaped poverty and actively adopted new economic models. Many ethnic minority people performed well in production and business movements.

Cultural values and spiritual life of ethnic minorities are preserved and promoted. Education, healthcare and training are continuously improved. The grassroots political system is strengthened, ensuring political security, social order and unity among the people.

On November 29, 2024, the 4th Congress of Ethnic Minorities in Bac Giang set the following goals: increase the average income of ethnic minorities to 75-80% of the national average, reduce the poverty rate to below 6.5%, cut the number of communes and villages with special difficulties by 50%, certify 70% of communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas with new rural development standards, and ensure over 90% of communes and villages in these areas have sufficient infrastructure for socioeconomic development.

Mr. Vi Thanh Quyen said: To achieve this goal, the committee will further strengthen the direction, inspection, supervision and effective implementation of ethnic projects, programs and policies; and prioritize investment resources for socioeconomic infrastructure development and urgent needs in ethnic minority areas. In particular, priority is given to poor villages and communes. All policies, programs, projects and investment capital are carried out transparently and publicly.

This approach not only helps poor, near-poor, and ethnic minority households access social services, but also supports economic growth, strengthens social security, reduces regional disparities, and contributes to a more sustainable and prosperous Bac Giang province.

By Huong Giang, Vietnam Business Forum