Vietnam has emerged as a global bright spot in poverty reduction and is now striving to become a pioneer in social welfare reform under the United Nations' global initiative, said Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung during a meeting with Ingrid Christensen, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Vietnam.

The ILO Vietnam director highlighted key achievements such as support for drafting the revised Social Insurance Law, the revised Law on Cooperatives, and the implementation of Resolution 42 on social policy reform. These, along with the Better Work programme, have helped millions of Vietnamese workers and accelerated the formalization of the informal economy.

Based on lessons learned from supporting northern provinces during and after Typhoon Yagi last year, ILO Vietnam proposed four areas of cooperation with the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to enhance resilience for ethnic minority communities:

Climate resilience: Research on the impact of drought and water shortages caused by climate change, particularly in ethnic minority areas.

Disability welfare: Programmes tailored for people with disabilities, including those from ethnic groups, based on real-life needs.

Policy analysis: In-depth studies on how social policies currently support ethnic minority communities, building on last year’s research with the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance.

Policy review: A comprehensive review of existing social welfare policies to evaluate implementation, effectiveness, and alignment with international standards.

“These initiatives aim to help the government meet mid-term targets under Resolution 42, guide the drafting of the new Social Assistance Law, and advance the implementation of the revised Social Insurance Law,” said Christensen, emphasizing the importance of partnership with the ministry.

From stability to development in social policy

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung acknowledged ILO’s support in post-disaster recovery and affirmed Vietnam’s progress in social welfare: “Thanks to government determination, public effort, and international cooperation, we’ve made significant strides in social policy and welfare.”

He noted that Vietnam has reduced its multidimensional poverty rate from 60-70% in the 1980s to just 1.93% today.

Citing rapid development, he added: “We are shifting from a model of social stability and assurance to one of development and transformation.” This includes new policies such as free healthcare for many groups by 2030–2035, and dedicated support for ethnic minority students covering food, housing, and recreational needs.

He proudly reported that the target to eliminate 400,000 dilapidated houses nationwide by 2030, as set by Resolution 42, could be completed by October 31, 2025, with 70% already achieved and 18 provinces fully cleared of such housing.

Despite economic constraints and external challenges from global conflicts, climate change, and an aging population, Vietnam remains committed to ambitious reforms, with an eye on international best practices.

Toward a resolution for ethnic minorities

Minister Dung expressed strong support for ILO’s cooperation proposals and shared a bold vision to draft a dedicated resolution for ethnic minority communities. He asked ILO to conduct foundational research for this effort.

“Ethnic minority and mountainous communities are the most disadvantaged and have the weakest access to social policies. If we can address their needs effectively, we reduce inequality and create true fairness,” he said, suggesting a multi-year partnership with ILO Vietnam.

ILO’s Christensen added that the digital and platform economies offer emerging job opportunities for young people and ethnic minorities alike. These themes will be discussed at the upcoming International Labour Conference (ILC), where sustainable and inclusive employment will be a key focus.

“Vietnam can become a global example in social policy integration,” she concluded.

Binh Minh