Speaking at the national workshop in Hanoi entitled “Vietnamese ethnic minority community and the policy of national solidarity”. Thanh said building a united community among the various ethnic groups has been an age-old tradition practised in Vietnam.

The workshop is one of the many activities heldin preparation for the upcoming national congress of ethnic minorities in May. Five key themes were discussed during the workshop, including the great national unity; economic development and poverty reduction; conservation and enhancement of traditional cultures; education and training; and the building of the All People’s Defence movement and security in mountainous and border regions.

Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Ha Van Nui, reiterated his organisation’s commitment to participate in all activities to consolidate the great national unity and solidarity among all Vietnamese people.

He promised to supervise the enforcement of laws by government agencies, elected representatives and public servants in mountainous regions, where the majority of the country’s ethnic minorities reside, to ensure they will not be marginalised, and to pay more attention to disturbances in these areas.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Tran Huu Thang, said his ministry had always paid due attention to ethnic minorities in its development for national programmes, projects and legal documents.

“We have organised many training courses on state governance, political theories, legal aid and information technology for local officials involved in ethnic minority areas,” said Thang.

Nong Van Luu, Lieutenant General and deputy director general of the Department of Security at the Ministry of Public Security, expressed his appreciation of the important role of the people, including ethnic minorities, in the All People’s Defence movement.

“It is important to win trust in Party leadership and the great national unity of the ethnic people,” said Luu.