Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs is currently developing criteria to classify ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026–2030 period, aiming to identify priority regions for investment and ensure fair and effective allocation of resources.
The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs is finalising a draft decree on the criteria for classifying ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026–2030 period. It aims to establish a clear and transparent set of criteria to ensure that policies are accurately targeted. The decree also promotes digital and green transformation, supporting the development of specialty agriculture, contributing to sustainable development.
Narrowing development gap
A representative from the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs stated that currently, the classification of ethnic minority and mountainous areas by development level is being implemented under Decision No. 33/2020/QĐ-TTg dated November 12, 2020 by the Prime Minister and applied for the 2021–2025 period.
However, the above decision will expire after 2025. Without a new legal document to replace it, there will be a legal gap in identifying target areas for implementing ethnic minority policies, directly affecting the planning and allocation of medium-term investment resources for the next period.
Therefore, it is necessary to issue a new decree to enhance policy implementation, ensuring consistency, transparency, and alignment with the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents, the Law on the Organisation of the Government and current administrative reform requirements at present.
The ministry said the issuance of this decree will fully institutionalise the Party's policies and the State’s laws.
The Party and the State have consistently affirmed the strategic importance of ethnic affairs and related policies in national development. The 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution sets out the goal of further promoting socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and gradually narrow the development gap between regions and among ethnic groups.
The Politburo also issued Conclusion No. 65-KL/TW dated October 30, 2019, on continuing the implementation of Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW of the 9th Party Central Committee, to improve the system of policies on ethnic affairs towards greater integration, focus, and effectiveness.
The NA approved a master plan for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021–2030 period, and allocated funding for the implementation of the national target programme.
However, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs emphasised that to implement these policies, it is crucial to issue a government-level legal document that establishes unified, transparent, and publicly accessible criteria for identifying target areas. This will serve as a foundation for applying ethnic policies during the 2026–2030 period and beyond.
Notably, Vietnam is striving for comprehensive and sustainable development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions during the 2026–2030 period, with a strong focus on cultural identity and robust inter-regional connectivity.
Promoting digital and green transformation
According to the ministry, the forthcoming Decree on criteria for identifying ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026–2030 period will serve as the basis for determining priority investment areas and allocating resources fairly and effectively.
It will also contribute to promoting digital transformation, green transition, developing specialty agriculture, and the indigenous economy, strengthening national defence and security, and protecting sovereignty in border and remote areas./.
