Vietnam seeks to reform legal framework for ethnic affairs

The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs is seeking public opinion on a draft Decree regarding ethnic affairs. This new regulation is intended to replace Decree No. 05/2011/ND-CP to create a more unified and synchronized legal framework for ethnic policies and state management.

Reviewing the current implementation of the 2011 Decree has revealed several inadequacies. Changes in specialized legal systems—including local government, public investment, land, forestry, health, and education—have rendered some existing provisions outdated. Current investment policies are noted as being short-term and lacking medium-to-long-term orientation, while educational resources and facilities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas remain limited.

The proposed updates aim to address gaps in protecting minority languages, community tourism, and digital transformation in information and legal education. The new framework also seeks to institutionalize Party guidelines and integrate policies more effectively to meet the development requirements of ethnic minority regions in the new era.