Enhancing ethnic and religious affairs

In 2025, Khanh Hoa Province gained significant achievements in ethnic and religious affairs, contributing to strengthening beliefs and promoting sustainable development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Chamaléa Thi Thuy congratulates the Ninh Thuan Council of Cham Brahman dignitaries.

Improving care for local residents

Thanks to funding from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Regions, Phase I (2021-2025), the domestic water supply system has been implemented in most ethnic minority and mountainous communes. Some old water supply systems have also been repaired and upgraded to better meet the needs of local residents.

Recognizing the urgent demand for clean water in remote Suoi Rua Hamlet, Song Can Tay Village (Nam Cam Ranh Commune), the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion, together with the local government, has invested in a clean water supply system with a total investment of nearly VND 4.6 billion.

Mang Nong, a resident of Suoi Rua Hamlet, said, “We used to fetch water from the stream, and in the dry season, we had to travel far to buy it. Now, with clean water reaching our homes, we are very happy and no longer worry about shortages for daily use.” In addition, in Ba Ngoi Ward, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions has also invested in water supply projects for ethnic minority communities, with a budget of nearly VND 5 billion. Funding from the program has also enabled ethnic minority communities to invest in many effective livelihood models, such as poultry, cattle, and goat farming, combined with community tourism development, helping people escape poverty sustainably.

According to Chamaléa Thi Thuy, Member of the Standing Party Committee, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, in 2025, most targets of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas were achieved and exceeded; disbursement of funds for program implementation reached over 95%; socio-economic infrastructures were comprehensively invested, etc. As a result, the average income of ethnic minorities increased to 2.14 times higher than in 2020, while the poverty rate declined by more than 4.5% annually.

Along with improving living standards, religious and spiritual activities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas continued to be implemented effectively. Truong Van Hau, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Phuoc Hau Commune, said, "In 2025, religious organizations in the commune actively promoted their role in fostering national unity, effectively implementing the Party’s guidelines and the State’s laws, upholding the principle of “good religion, good citizenship,” and making important contributions to local socio-economic development.”

Providing support to residents of Trung Khanh Vinh commune with administrative procedures at home.

According to Pham Duy Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, religious leaders, officials, monks, and followers actively engaged in humanitarian and charitable activities, supporting people affected by natural disasters and cooperating with local authorities to implement social welfare programs. The relationship between the Party, government, Fatherland Front, and mass organizations at all levels with religious organizations was further strengthened, while political security and social order in areas with large religious communities remained stable.

Preferential policies to be promoted

Despite these achievements, challenges remain: ethnic minority living conditions are still difficult, poverty reduction is not yet sustainable, and fund disbursement under the National Target Program has yet to reach 100% of planned targets.

The year 2026 marks the beginning of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, the 1st Provincial Party Congress, 2025–2030 term, and the National Target Program for the 2026–2030 period.

To strengthen ethnic and religious affairs in the new context, Nguyen Long Bien, Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee and Permanent Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, proposed enhancing the leadership role of Party committees and authorities at all levels, while improving the capacity of officials in charge of these areas.

He emphasized continued priority on education, raising intellectual levels, awareness, and self-reliance among ethnic minority communities; upgrading socio-economic infrastructure in ethnic minority and mountainous regions; creating sustainable livelihoods; and promoting the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, mass organizations, influential individuals, and religious organizations in consolidating national unity. He also highlighted the importance of dialogue and timely responses to the legitimate needs of ethnic minorities and religious organizations.

He also urged all levels and sectors, especially the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions and officials responsible for ethnic and religious affairs, to build on past achievements, overcome challenges and successfully realize the goals for 2026 and beyond, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of Khanh Hoa.

M.P

Translated by N.T