Vietnam and UN Expand Partnership for Ethnic Communities

Millions of people in Vietnam's ethnic minority communities are getting new support for digital access, sustainable development and economic opportunities through an expanded partnership between the government and the United Nations.

Vietnam's Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs met with the United Nations Development Programme in Hanoi on July 30 to strengthen their commitment to inclusive growth. The two organizations signed an agreement last November covering collaboration through 2030, with goals extending to 2045.

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang emphasized that Vietnam's government places ethnic affairs at the center of national development. The country aims to ensure equality, mutual respect and shared prosperity among all 54 ethnic groups.

The partnership focuses on practical solutions including digital transformation, sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship support and climate resilience. Both sides are working together through policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and capacity building to implement these goals.

Despite significant government investment, mountainous terrain and dispersed populations create unique challenges for development. Many remote villages still lack stable electricity or reliable telecommunications coverage, limiting access to digital services.

Digital access remains uneven across ethnic minority regions. Some communities face limited infrastructure, devices and digital skills that prevent them from accessing online education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

Vietnam plans to close these gaps by 2027 through targeted infrastructure improvements and digital literacy programs. The government is developing practical digital livelihood models tailored to remote communities.

The ministry is sharing international best practices while building sector-specific databases to track progress. Minister Nguyen called on UNDP to help spread objective information about Vietnam's efforts to improve living conditions and promote equality among all ethnic groups.

UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi praised Vietnam's commitment to poverty reduction and expanding essential services. She highlighted the country's strong track record in creating development opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

The partnership represents a long-term commitment to ensuring economic growth benefits reach every Vietnamese citizen, regardless of ethnicity or location.