Significant Economic Growth in Ethnic Minority Areas

Hanoi has used a considerable amount of resources to carry out the National Target Program on New Rural Development with a priority always given to allocating financial funds for development projects in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas. As a result, people's livelihoods have been constantly raised and great national unity has been increasingly solidified.

The city currently has nearly 108,000 ethnic minorities living in all 30 districts and towns, accounting for 1.3% of the population. Ethnic minorities in Hanoi densely live in communities in 14 communes in five districts of Ba Vi, Thach That, Quoc Oai, My Duc and Chuong My.

Knowing that implementing the National Target Program on New Rural Development is key to changing the face of ethnic minorities, Hanoi has issued many special support mechanisms and policies for deep-lying and remote communes which are usually poor. In 2013, the city allocated nearly VND838 billion through Plan 166/KH-UBND on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2013 - 2015. In 2016-2020, although investment resources were limited, the city still invested in socioeconomic development projects under Plan 138 in 14 communes where many ethnic minorities lived.

Without a doubt, thanks to the National Target Program, livelihoods of ethnic minorities have been significantly improved and the countryside face has been uplifted. From now to 2025, Hanoi will strive to realize all new rural development criteria in all communes and mountainous areas where many ethnic minorities are living, with at least three communes fulfilling advanced rural development standards. In order to realize the above goal, the city will integrate policies, programs and projects for higher investment efficiency, in which priority is given to important investment. Furthermore, the city will expand preferential credit for economic development projects in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

By the end of 2020, five communes with ethnic minorities in Ba Vi and My Duc districts of Hanoi were not able to meet new countryside development criteria. In July 2021, the city's judge committee examined and concluded that Van Hoa and Ba Vi communes of Ba Vi district successfully met all 19 criteria, thus being eligible for being certified by the Hanoi People's Committee to complete new rural development standards in 2021. An Phu commune (My Duc district), the only commune that has not completed the new countryside standards, is making efforts to complete them in 2021.

Indeed, in more than 10 years, five communes made a facelift from the lowest starting point among 14 communes with ethnic minorities in Hanoi. They mobilized VND210.5 - 305 billion to upgrade and complete the given criteria. Although their economic life is tough, residents volunteer to act for the common goal. Van Hoa commune mobilized nearly VND4 billion from local people for development. Many economic development models have been effectively adopted and per capita income increased to over VND50 million a year. No temporary houses or dilapidated houses are seen in the commune now. Chairman of the Van Hoa People's Committee Nguyen Gia Tue said, “This outcome results from the commune's endeavor to digest all opinions and suggestions from people and work out plans and solutions to overcome limitations, complete criteria and maintain its achieved results."
The "Meeting Place" in 2022 is not distant and the goal of all 14 communes with many ethnic minorities in Hanoi certified to meet new rural development standards is near. This is a very inspirational achievement, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved complicatedly in recent years. From this foundation, they will continue to upgrade their criteria towards higher goals of new rural development set by the city.

By Ngoc Dan, Vietnam Business Forum