Vietnamese community recognised as ethnic minority group in Slovakia

Vietnamese people in Slovakia celebrate Lunar New Year festival. (Photo: VNA)

Prague (VNA) – The Slovak Government on June 7 officially recognised the Vietnamese community as the country’s 14th ethnic minority group and approved regulations for the community.

The decision was made on the basis of the recommendations of the Slovak Government council on human rights, ethnic minorities, and gender equality, and experts. Accordingly, the Vietnamese community fully meets the criteria "in quantity", "has lived in Slovakia for nearly 70 years and the 3rd generation has fully integrated into society".

Following the Government’s resolution, the Vietnamese community will have representatives at the Committee on Ethnic Minorities and Ethnic Groups under the Council of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Human Rights, Ethnic Minorities, and Gender Equality. The community will be supported with financial resources from the Fund for Cultural Support of Ethnic Minorities and have the right to voice opinions about the fund.

The Vietnamese Association in Slovakia sees the Slovak Government’s recognition as an opportunity to bring more benefits to the Vietnamese community.

It is estimated that about 7,000 Vietnamese-origin people are living and studying in Slovakia. The last time the country with a population of 5.5 million people recognised a community as an ethnic minority was 13 years ago for the Serbian community./.