In recent times, Son La province has made efforts to implement national target programs for 2021 - 2025 with many synchronous and efficient solutions, making a crucial contribution to implementing sustainable poverty reduction policies and socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas.

With the province's strong direction and efforts to overcome difficulties, the disbursement rate of capital from national target programs in its areas has had many positive changes. By the end of March, the disbursement rate of 03 national target programs from central capital sources in the province reached 11%, higher than the average disbursement rate of the whole country. The timely disbursement of capital has contributed to implementing programs and projects to support sustainable poverty reduction, new rural construction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas. After nearly 5 years of implementation, the poverty rate by 2024 has decreased to about 10.89%. The rate of communes meeting new rural standards reached 41%, and 100% of people living in tremendously difficult areas have received free health insurance cards.

98.53% of communes have asphalted or concrete roads to the commune center; 78.3% of villages have hardened roads to the center; 73.5% of communes have solidly built schools and classrooms; 99.5% of households have access to safe grid electricity; 97.5% of rural population have access to clean water; 96.8% of ethnic minorities have access to television; 94.5% of ethnic minorities have access to the radio; 90% of unplanned migrants have been arranged and settled. In addition, support for vocational training activities, production, and livelihood development contributes to increasing people's income; investment and support for preserving and promoting national cultural identity are in the attention. The material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities has improved, and healthcare education and training have had positive changes.

The National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority Areas, after 5 years of implementation in Son La, has made a vital contribution to the implementation of the socio-economic development plan of the whole province in general and for communes in Region III, Region II, and particularly disadvantaged villages in ethnic minority areas. The material and spiritual life of the people gradually improved, and essential infrastructure such as transportation, schools, medical stations, electricity, and domestic water continued to be invested in and upgraded. It is better to meet their needs. Social security policies, livelihood support, and job creation have proceeded synchronously and effectively, promoting the comprehensive development of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas.

The resources and policies of the program have focused on investing in developing essential infrastructure to serve the people in especially difficult communes and villages in ethnic minority areas. The consensus and trust of the people in the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State are increasingly consolidated, creating a solid foundation for sustainable development of the locality in the coming time.

 Hanh Nguyen

Translated by Tuan Minh Dang