Giong Rieng district has ethnic minorities accounting for 19.12% of the total population of the district. Of which, the Khmer ethnic group accounts for 17.74%; the Chinese ethnic group accounts for 1.36%; and other ethnic groups account for 0.02%. The district has 1 hamlet in the particularly difficult economic zone and 8 communes in the ethnic minority area.
Mr. Ly Thanh Luan - Party Secretary, Chairman of Ngoc Chuc Commune People's Committee said: In recent years, ethnic work and ethnic policies have always received attention and implementation from Party committees, authorities, fronts and unions at all levels.
“The national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has brought about many practical results, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people. In 2023, the rate of poor and near-poor households in the commune has decreased, reaching and exceeding the target,” said Mr. Ly Thanh Luan.
The cultural identity of ethnic minorities has always been of interest to all levels and sectors of the district, creating favorable conditions for preservation and promotion, especially in places of worship and traditional festivals. The whole district has 14 Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagodas and 1 Association of Patriotic Monks and Nuns.
Mr. Danh Dung - A prestigious person among ethnic minorities in Ngoc Chuc commune, shared: Ethnic minorities in the district are always interested in preserving and promoting their ethnic identity, caring about preserving and restoring Khmer art troupes; performing pentatonic music... and cultural institutions among ethnic minorities.
Annual traditional festivals are well maintained; education and training are of interest to all levels and sectors of the district. In addition to teaching ethnic minority languages in general schools, communes and functional sectors also create favorable conditions to support the Association of Patriotic Monks and Monks in the district to organize Khmer language classes during the summer in pagodas, hamlets and villages where many Khmer people live.
Every year, the issuance of health insurance cards for ethnic minorities is given attention, supporting over 20,000 health insurance cards for poor and near-poor households, especially disadvantaged hamlets and ethnic minority households with a total cost of over 12 billion VND.
From capital sources of programs and projects, the district has focused on investing in building infrastructure for disadvantaged areas and areas with large ethnic minority populations, such as bridges, rural roads, irrigation systems, electricity, schools, medical stations... with a total investment capital of over 60 billion VND.
Ms. Ly Sieu Chen, a resident of Nguyen Huong hamlet, Vinh Thanh commune, said: “Seeing people being supported with clean water to use, and beautiful and clear roads, I take my children to school conveniently. Before, there were no roads, only walking or riding motorbikes on the river was very difficult and tiring. In this remote area, now with such convenient investment, I am very happy.”
Implementing the national target program, the majority of ethnic minorities in Giong Rieng district have been aware and determined to strive to overcome difficulties, practice thrift, and compete in labor production. Many households from poverty have been encouraged and helped in a timely manner and have now escaped poverty and become quite rich. Many farmers have maintained the title of good farmers and businessmen for many years. They not only enrich their own families but also regularly help those around them to improve their lives.
Ms. Trieu Thi Huyen Tran - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Giong Rieng district said: "Ethnic work and implementation of the national target program are identified as one of the key tasks. The district always creates conditions for ethnic minorities to comprehensively develop all aspects of life, integrate policies, project programs and mobilize resources to rapidly develop the socio-economy in the region. Focus on vocational training, job creation, poverty reduction, and promptly resolve the legitimate demands of ethnic minorities".
The changes of ethnic minorities in Giong Rieng district in recent years have affirmed the care and concern of the Party and the State. In particular, the sectors and levels have invested capital, transferred science and technology to the people to apply to their family production areas, and provided guidance on how to do business. Since then, the appearance of the hamlets and villages in Giong Rieng has been changing day by day, the lives of ethnic minorities have become increasingly prosperous and happy, always trusting in the leadership of the Party and the State.