The performing arts group of Ban Chieu village, Muong Coi commune, Son La province.

The National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2025 has contributed to a significant transformation of the appearance of ethnic minority areas in Son La province. From infrastructure to the material and spiritual lives of the people, improvements have been noticeable.

During the period 2021-2025, Son La province was allocated over 5,650 billion VND from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas (Program 1719) to implement development projects in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. From this funding, Son La province focused on addressing land, housing, production land, and clean water shortages; resettlement and stabilization of the population; protection of special-use forests; development of production along value chains; investment in electricity and essential infrastructure; improvement of education and healthcare; cultural preservation; promotion of gender equality; and support for very small ethnic minority groups.

As the standing agency for Program 1719, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Son La province has advised the Provincial People's Committee on capital allocation, issued guidelines, conducted inspections, and coordinated efforts to resolve difficulties and accelerate project progress. By August 2025, the province had disbursed over 75% of the planned budget, higher than the national average. After nearly five years of implementation, the province has provided housing and production land for 640 households; built 85 water supply projects for over 8,200 households; arranged stable settlements at 17 locations for nearly 1,000 households; upgraded and built over 160 transportation projects, 190 community centers, and over 140 other infrastructure projects.

Members of the agricultural cooperative in Mai Son commune harvest chili peppers.

Thanks to this, the program has not only improved people's lives but also changed their mindset, way of thinking, and practices. Through support for production and livelihood models, many households have boldly invested in commodity production, applied technology, and linked value chains. Ethnic minority people are gradually becoming more proactive in earning a living, escaping poverty sustainably, and no longer relying on subsidies. From 2021 to the present, Son La province has connected jobs and provided vocational training for over 70,600 workers and over 7,800 poor and near-poor people.

Traditional cultural values ​​have been preserved, many ethnic festivals have been restored; nearly 200 village cultural and sports facilities have been built; and hundreds of folk art troupes have been maintained. The program contributes to promoting gender equality and protecting women and children through communication, training, and the establishment of over 300 "Community Communication Teams" and "Community Trust Points" models, helping ethnic minority people access the law, protect their rights, and enhance their role in the community.

The Women's Union, the Youth Union, and officials of Muong Coi commune launched a campaign to clean up the environment.

Ms. Dinh Thi Bac, from Ban Chieu village, Muong Coi commune, said: "Thanks to the National Target Program, my village, which was once in a remote area, now has a road accessible by car, helping people develop community tourism, create jobs and income right on their own land, with many types of services from performing arts, producing traditional handicrafts, to providing homestay services very effectively."

Thanks to the effective implementation of Program 1719, the average income of ethnic minority people in Son La province reached 39.2 million VND/person/year by the end of 2024, double that of 2020; the poverty rate decreased to 14.2%. Infrastructure such as transportation, electricity, water, schools, and health stations have been invested in, helping to develop the economy and improve access to essential services. Currently, 98% of communes and 78.3% of villages have roads leading to their centers; 100% of schools and health stations are structurally sound; and 98% of ethnic minority households have access to electricity and clean water.

Program 1719 not only invests in infrastructure but also changes mindsets and raises public awareness about economic development and rural development. This strengthens the trust of ethnic minority communities in the Party and the State, demonstrating their consistent care for ethnic minority communities in mountainous areas, with the motto "no one is left behind." This is reflected in numerous policies and action programs aimed at developing the economy, culture, society, education, healthcare, and ensuring social security for people in these areas.