Vietnam ensures rights to equality for ethnic groups: Official
The principle of non-discrimination and equality among all members of the community is the core of the Vietnam’s constitutional system, and is concretised through various legislative reforms, Y Thong, Deputy Minister and Vice Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, has reaffirmed.
At the 111th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) – The principle of non-discrimination and equalityamong all members of the community is the core of the Vietnam’sconstitutional system, and is concretised through various legislativereforms, Y Thong, Deputy Minister and Vice Chairman of the Committee for EthnicMinority Affairs, has reaffirmed.
He was defending the combined 15th to 17th national periodicreport on the implementation of the International Convention on the CERD during2013-2019, at the 111th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) which is taking place from November 20 to December 8.
Thong highlighted that the right to equality of the Vietnameseethnic groups in the period is guaranteed by the Constitution and law.
As the majority of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups reside in mountainous, highland andremote areas with difficulties in socio-economic development, the State prioritises support to them to unleash their potential and helps thembetter integrate into the overall development.
Since 2013, Vietnam has worked to complete its legal system to ensure thelegitimate rights and interests of the ethnic minorities, he said, elaborating thatthe National Assembly has issued 125 laws with 352 articles thatstipulate the rights and obligations of the ethnic people in the past decade.
During the period, Vietnam affirmed its steadfast stance against the incitementto division and hatred between ethnic groups and races, thus any acts of discriminationand support for activities that cause division and discrimination among ethnicgroups are prohibited and strictly punished under the Vietnamese laws, hestressed.
He went on to say that Vietnam made significant progress in promoting therights for its ethnic minorities, including that to freedom of movementwithin the national territory, that to enter and exit the country, that to freedom of state and social management rights, that to freedom ofspeech or press, and that to freedom of religion and belief.
Along with outlining criteria for the implementation of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals, and Sustainable Development Goals for ethnic minority groups until 2030,Vietnam has introduced an array of programmes and policies for ethnic people, hesaid, adding they have enjoyed preferential policies in education, healthcare,vocational training, employment, land, credit access, among others.
Joiningthe CERD convention in 1982, Vietnam has successfully defended its nationalreports on the convention implementation in 1983, 1993, 2000, and 2012.
According to the national periodic report, Vietnam is a unified countryconsisting of 54 ethnic groups, 53 of them minority with a combined population of over 14 million people and accounting for 14.7% of the country's totalpopulation./.
The Ministry of Health held a seminar in Hanoi on November 6 to review the improvement of public healthcare, physical well-being of ethnic minority people and the prevention of child malnutrition, under Project No. 7 of the National Target Programme on Socio-economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.
A photo exhibition spotlighting colours of 54 Vietnamese ethnic communities is set to be held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Son Tay town's Dong Mo on the outskirts of Hanoi from November 22 to 26.
A seminar was held in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on November 28 to launch the second phase of the programme titled “Reaching the Furthest Behind - Improving the quality of life of especially disadvantaged community groups in Ha Giang, Quang Tri and Hoa Binh provinces”.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
At the 111th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Photo: VNA) 
