About 1,700 delegates are expected to attend the first national congress of Vietnam 's ethnic minority people at the My Dinh Convention Centre from Sunday, May 12.

They would be drawn from all walks of life and from throughout Vietnam , Ethnic Affairs Committee Chairman Giang Seo Phu told a media briefing on March 17.

The youngest was from the Odu of central Nghe An province - Vietnam 's minority with the least numbers - was born in 1998.

The oldest was an H'mong and was born in 1908.

"It will be the first time the Party and State have held a national congress for ethnic minority groups," the chairman said.

"It will create an exciting atmosphere for ethnic-minority people and help improve the close relationship between the Party and people as well as solidarity among ethnic groups."

The congress agenda will include acceptance of a national solidarity policy for minority Vietnamese.

An exhibition to introduce the cultural identities and achievements of ethnic-minority groups; a cultural and trade fair and a festival for ethnic-minority students will also be held.

The chairman said that 311 districts and 51 provinces had successfully organised congresses for ethnic-minority groups during the past seven months.

These had created a basic foundation for the two-day national congress, he said.

The congresses had honoured the contribution to the national revolution of both individuals and groups.

The development of production; business achievement and poverty reduction had also been honoured./.