Could you please tell us what the results of the two rounds of information collection and investigation into the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities mean for the implementation of local ethnic policies?

Mr. Doan Ngoc Lam, Permanent Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee: In Quang Binh, there are 2 ethnic groups, Chut and Bru Van Kieu, living with nearly 3% of the province's population. In addition, there are a number of other ethnic groups such as Thai, Tho, Muong... with insignificant numbers.

However, what is special is that in Quang Binh, the Chut ethnic group has more than 7,200 people, accounting for more than 90% of the Chut ethnic population in our country, including the Sach, May, Ruc, Arem, and Ma Lieng ethnic groups. This is an ethnic group of less than 10,000 people, with specific difficulties, receiving comprehensive investment from the Party and Government. In addition, there is the Bru Van Kieu ethnic group, with about 19,400 people. The Bru Van Kieu ethnic group in the locality is also divided into local groups: Van Kieu, Tri, Khua, and Ma Coong. Currently, ethnic minorities in Quang Binh live in 15 communes and 3 villages in the districts of Minh Hoa, Tuyen Hoa, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, and Le Thuy, with a natural area of ​​more than 3,800 km2.

From the results of the first two surveys in 2014 and the second in 2019, our Party and State have issued many ethnic policies suitable for each stage to invest in and support the development of ethnic minorities. Accordingly, through the implementation of ethnic work, ethnic policies, infrastructure in Quang Binh province has been invested in and built quite synchronously, contributing to changing the face of the local ethnic minority and mountainous areas;

In addition, from investment resources and direct support for people's livelihood, the material and spiritual life of the people has been improved and developed. The number of ethnic minority households with good income or higher is increasing; there are more than 700 households doing well, of which nearly 200 households have an income of 70 million VND or more/year. The rate of poor ethnic minority households has decreased by an average of 4-5%/year in the period 2016-2020. Up to now, 100% of communes have roads to the commune center; 100% of communes have national grid electricity; 100% of communes have kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools; 100% of communes have medical stations.

How will the 2024 Socio-Economic Survey of 53 Ethnic Minorities impact the locality, sir?

On July 1, the General Statistics Office coordinated with the Ethnic Committee to collect information to investigate the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities. This is an important task in planning ethnic policies and ethnic work in the next period of our Party and State.

In Quang Binh, the survey results are the basis for the Provincial People's Committee to have a more comprehensive and accurate view of the population, housing, marriage, socio-economic conditions... of ethnic minorities; to grasp the differences between ethnic minority groups, especially related to access to basic services, employment and living standards.

These are important data to help monitor and evaluate the progress of implementing policies of the Government and localities; at the same time, they are the basis for issuing decisions on ethnic policies that are focused and key to support what the people need; investing in the contents that ethnic minority and mountainous areas lack. At the same time, they are also the basis for localities to make timely, accurate, and focused recommendations to the Central Government in the process of implementing ethnic policies and ethnic affairs.

In addition, from the data collected from the Socio-Economic Survey of 53 Ethnic Minorities that the General Statistics Office and the Ethnic Minorities Committee are jointly implementing nationwide, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province will also make adjustments appropriate to the actual situation of socio-economic life of ethnic minorities living in the area; continue to have solutions to continuously improve the effectiveness of ethnic policies. Thereby, further accelerating the process of "shortening the gap" between the highlands and lowlands in accordance with the policies and orientations of the Party, State and the wishes of local authorities and people.

Could you tell us, up to now, what are the results of collecting information and investigating the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities?

To carry out the work of collecting information and investigating the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities in Quang Binh according to plan, the General Statistics Office coordinated with the Provincial Ethnic Committee and localities to synchronously deploy many solutions. First of all, propagandize the content and significance of the information collection and investigation of the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities. Next, organize training for the team of investigators and controllers. At the same time, organize the launching ceremony of information collection and investigation of the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities on the morning of July 1 as planned.

Up to now (August 6), after more than 1 month of implementation, the whole province has completed 93.9% of the plan to collect information to investigate the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities. Of which, Le Thuy and Tuyen Hoa districts have completed 100% of the households and survey areas according to the plan. Some other localities such as Quang Ninh district (99.82%); Minh Hoa (90.18%) also achieved high results in collecting and investigating the socio-economic situation of 53 ethnic minorities.

With the current progress, I believe Quang Binh will complete the collection and investigation of the socio-economic status of 53 ethnic minorities on schedule.

Thank you very much!