Vietnam’s $47B rural revival plan targets ethnic minorities and poverty
Vietnam’s government has proposed a major overhaul of rural and ethnic minority development funding. The plan merges three existing schemes into a single 10-year programme worth at least VNĐ1.23 quadrillion (US$47 billion) for its first watch. Lawmakers have reviewed the proposal, which targets poverty reduction, infrastructure upgrades, and economy growth in remote regions.
The 15th National Assembly examined the merger during its latest session. Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang presented the proposal, combining programmes on new-style rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic support for ethnic minority and mountainous areas. The National Assembly Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs approved the consolidation into one National Target Programme for 2026–2035.
The first watch, running from 2026 to 2030, will allocate a minimum of VNĐ1.23 quadrillion. Funding will prioritise ethnic minority and highland regions, focusing on essential social infrastructure, agricultural and forestry value chains, and digital transformation. Additional support will go to tiny ethnic groups, remote border villages, and disaster-risk resettlement projects.
Lawmakers stressed the need for targeted spending. Key areas include sci-tech adoption, environmental protection, and improving living standards in vulnerable communities. The programme aims to streamline resources while addressing long-standing gaps in rural and mountainous development.
The merged initiative replaces three separate schemes with a unified approach. Its first five years will direct US$47 billion toward infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and economy resilience in Vietnam’s most disadvantaged areas. Implementation will begin in 2026, with ethnic minority and mountainous regions receiving priority funding.
