NGUYEN BAO – January 11, 2026 | 20:30 (GMT+7)

On the afternoon of January 11, in Thai Nguyen Province, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the groundbreaking ceremony for three infrastructure investment projects for specialized schools, including Viet Bac Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, Ho Chi Minh City University Preparatory School, and Sam Son Ethnic Minority University Preparatory School.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these are projects representing “national solidarity and shared compassion” — Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

The event was organized in a hybrid format, combining an in-person ceremony at the main venue in Thai Nguyen with online connections to Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa Province.

To implement the task of building and upgrading school infrastructure under the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021–2030 period, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs approved three infrastructure investment projects for the above-mentioned schools.

These are large-scale projects, with total investments of VND 296.2 billion for Viet Bac Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, VND 144.8 billion for Ho Chi Minh City University Preparatory School, and VND 101.5 billion for Sam Son Ethnic Minority University Preparatory School.

The facilities are expected to be completed and inaugurated in September 2026 in time for the new academic year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the event holds significant importance for socio-economic development, national defense and security, and the cause of education and training. It also contributes to ensuring fair and equal access to education. He stressed that social progress, equity, and social welfare must not be sacrificed in pursuit of mere economic growth.

“Schools built in ethnic minority areas, remote regions, border and island areas are not constructed solely with reinforced concrete, bricks, sand, and stone, but also with love, with national solidarity and shared compassion, and with a deep sense of responsibility toward our ethnic communities,” the Prime Minister affirmed, calling on ministries, sectors, and localities to regard this as a key political task.

According to the Prime Minister, investing in educational infrastructure in ethnic minority and mountainous areas is an investment “from heart to heart,” an investment in national solidarity and shared compassion, an investment in sustainable, long-term development, and in equal access to education.

He directed the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant ministries and agencies, and the three localities — Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City — to urgently ensure the timely and high-quality completion of the projects in accordance with approved requirements.

The goal is to develop these schools into “model ethnic education ecosystems,” improving the quality of education and training, preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identities, while equipping students with international integration skills, particularly in foreign languages and information technology.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented gifts to students of Viet Bac Ethnic Minority Boarding High School — Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

The Prime Minister encouraged teachers to continue upholding the spirit of “living among the communities, spreading knowledge, safeguarding the nation,” inspiring and motivating students in ethnic minority and mountainous areas to pursue their dreams and transform their lives.

He urged students to strive to overcome difficulties, preserve their cultural identity, remain confident, study diligently, cultivate their passions, and pursue their aspirations with determination.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, and other leaders presented 160 meaningful gifts to students of Viet Bac Ethnic Minority Boarding High School.

The National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021–2030 period (Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021) clearly sets out the objective of strengthening facilities, equipment, and teaching materials for more than 320 ethnic minority boarding schools, over 1,100 semi-boarding ethnic schools, seven university preparatory institutions and universities, and three regional ethnic minority boarding high schools. This task is being actively implemented by ministries and sectors, particularly the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, along with relevant local authorities.

In addition, to enhance education in border and mountainous areas, the Politburo has approved a policy to build 248 inter-level boarding schools (primary and lower secondary) in border communes. In 2025, construction began on 100 schools, which are expected to be completed before the 2026–2027 academic year.