Enhancing appearance of mountainous Khanh Son

In recent years, ethnic policies have been effectively implemented in Khanh Son District, painting a brighter picture of ethnic minority areas and improving local living standards. This is also an important foundation for the locality to promote the solidarity of ethnic groups in the area to join efforts to build Khanh Son into an ecological micropolitan area.

Nguyen Khac Toan, Permanent Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People’s Council at groundbreaking ceremony for 100 houses for the poor in Khanh Son District.

Promoting local residents' wellbeing 

Doc Trau Resettlement Area is now accommodating 30 Raglai ethnic minority households in Ba Cum Bac Commune. A resident named Mau Sanh said, “It has been 4 years since we moved here, and our life has become much more stable. We have a solid house with sufficient electricity and water supply together with spacious concrete roads, a community house and a sports playground. Schools and medical stations are not far.”

Ethnic minority households in Ba Cum Bac Commune have been settled and allocated land for re-cultivation with a 1ha/household for orchards. Many households have planted durian for 3-4 years and will harvest soon.

The lives of the Raglai ethnic minority in Khanh Son have improved thanks to durian cultivation.

A resident named Mau Hong Sy, Chi Chay Village, Son Trung Commune, said, “The number of poor households has dropped dramatically thanks to the State's concern and support and residents’ efforts to escape poverty. Ethnic minorities in the village work hard and give mutual support to reach financial stability. My family currently has 1.3 hectares of durian, of which 64 trees have been harvested, more than 100 trees, nearly 3 years old, and 0.2 hectares of purple sugar cane. Every year, my family earns a profit of VND180 - 200 million. Our material and spiritual lives have improved."

Khanh Son District has set a goal that by 2029, the average income of ethnic minorities will be equal to 1/2 of the national average; The number of poor households in the ethnic minority areas will decrease by 7% every year in 2024 and 2025; by 4 - 5% from 2025 - 2029; 7/7 communes will achieve new rural standards, including 1 commune to achieve advanced new rural standards; temporary and dilapidated houses in locations at risk of floods, flash floods, landslides, etc. will be eliminated and people will move to safe homes.

A corner of Doc Trau Resettlement Area.

According to Do Huy Hiep, Chief of the Ethnic Board of Khanh Son District, there are 13 ethnic minorities in the district with a population of 28,474, of whom more than 73% are ethnic minorities with Raglai people accounting for 72.73%.

In the period 2019 - 2024, ethnic policies in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas have been effectively implemented, painting a brighter picture of ethnic minority areas in the district.

Notably, electricity, roads, schools, stations, and cultural facilities have been upgraded; The living standards have been improved with the average income per capita up by 1.5 times compared to 2019; Many ethnic minorities have been known for business and production efficiency.

The district's poverty rate of 44.09% in 2019 decreased to 31.63% in the beginning of 2024 and is expected to be down to 22.99% by the end of this year. Thousands of poor ethnic minority households have been supported by the State funding to build and repair houses. The cultural values and traditions of the local ethnic minorities have been preserved.

Cultural values and traditions of the local ethnic minorities in Khanh Son have been preserved.

Promoting the strength of national solidarity 

In recent years, along with the resources of the Central Government, the province and Khanh Son District have prioritized resources to invest in comprehensive development of the ethnic minority areas for sustainable development, ensuring social security and promoting national solidarity.

According to Mau Thai Cu, Secretary of Khanh Son District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Council, "The achievements in the implementation of ethnic policies in the district have promoted the strength and solidarity of ethnic minorities, contributing to effectively achieving the targets set by the 15th District Party Congress, term 2020 - 2025, especially the goal of Khanh Son moving out of the list of poor districts by the end of this year.

This is also an important basis for Khanh Son to become a "mountain and forest ecological micropolitan area" pursuant to the Politburo's orientation in Resolution No. 09 on the construction and development of Khanh Hoa Province to 2030, with a vision to 2045. To achieve this goal, Khanh Son will promote the solidarity of ethnic groups to build Khanh Son to become a worth-living place for local ethnic people".

To turn the aspirations into reality, in the period 2024 - 2029, the locality determines to effectively implement programs and policies for comprehensive and sustainable development of the ethnic minority areas; make good use of advantages; protect the living environment; narrow the gap in income between the ethnic minority areas and developed regions; reduce poverty sustainably; gradually reduce the number of severely disadvantaged communities; strengthen the national solidarity; inspire ethnic minority people’s self-reliance and efforts to overcome barriers and move forward, contribute to promoting their cultural identity values.

H.L

Translated by N.T