Uniting peoples, sharing aspirations for development

An Giang is known for its rich natural landscape, a place where many ethnic groups have long been united and connected. From houses, pagodas to churches, everywhere you can see the harmony and unanimity, which is a solid foundation for An Giang to develop and make a breakthrough in the new term.

Strong solidarity

Through many ups and downs, the ethnic groups in An Giang have worked together to cultivate the fields and preserve their identity. This solidarity is evident in daily life, especially through unique festivals such as: Bay Nui Bull Racing, Ok Om Bok, Lantern Festival, Ramadan Colors or Sam Mountain Lady Festival. Each festival has its own cultural story, but all connect the community and foster solidarity.

Leaders of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions visited a Cham family that had just escaped poverty. Photo: DANH THANH

In early 2025, the family of Danh Cu Ty, residing in Giong Rieng commune, received 50 million VND from the Rach Gia Chinese Mutual Aid Association to build a house of great solidarity. On the day he moved to his new house, Kinh, Khmer, and Chinese people came to congratulate him and share their joy. Ty was moved: “We live together in harmony. On Khmer holidays, everyone goes to the pagoda; on Lunar New Year, we gather around the pot of banh tet and visit each other's houses to congratulate. Any family in difficult circumstances, everyone joins hands to help, regardless of whether they are Kinh, Khmer, or Chinese.”

As a tradition, in the 10th lunar month, Thon Don Pagoda bustles to organize a mini-ngo boat racing festival. The race attracts thousands of spectators. The harmonious and bustling atmosphere, bright smiles, urging drum beats, and endless applause make the festival a day of community solidarity. Mr. Mai Van Phu - an athlete of Soc Suong's ngo boat team shared: "Every year the team participates in the mini-ngo boat racing festival. The precious thing is that not only Khmer athletes but also Chinese and Kinh people join forces. We not only compete but also exchange and connect with each other."

The appearance of ethnic minority areas has improved

Over the past 5 years, Party committees and authorities at all levels have led, directed and managed the socio-economic development of ethnic minority areas, achieving many positive results. Through resources, the province has focused on implementing programs and projects, thanks to which many concrete roads to communes and hamlets, new rural bridges have been built, schools and medical stations have become more spacious. Up to now, the whole province has 100% of communes in ethnic minority areas with car roads to the center; 100% of communes in especially difficult areas have electricity grid; 100% of communes have post offices and cultural points; 100% of communes have radio and television coverage; 89.3% of households use clean water; the rate of communes with national standard medical stations in ethnic minority areas has reached 100%...

Khmer Art Troupe of the province performs for the people. Photo: DANH THANH

Coming to Giang Thanh border commune today, it is easy to see the changes from the concrete roads connecting hamlets, markets, spacious schools, solid irrigation systems and national electricity grid coverage. That new look not only comes from the timely and practical infrastructure investment policy of the Party and State but also ignites the aspiration of people in the border area to rise up. Ms. Thi Manh, resident of Giang Thanh commune, shared: "In the past, people had difficulty traveling, the rainy season was muddy, and children had difficulty going to school. Now there are roads, electricity, schools, people's lives are much more convenient. We believe in the leadership of the Party, from there we are determined to do business, together building a rich and beautiful border homeland."

Faith and aspiration for development

The 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030 is an important milestone, affirming the determination to promote great solidarity, arousing the potential and aspirations of all classes of people. Great national solidarity continues to be considered one of the internal forces for An Giang to successfully implement the goals for the term 2025 - 2030. Chairman of the Rach Gia Chinese Mutual Aid Association Lam Hoai Phong said: "The Chinese people trust in the leadership of the Party. This Congress will propose many new policies, continue to care for and look after ethnic minorities. We continue to contribute our efforts to the cause of building a rich and beautiful homeland An Giang".

Ngo boat racing - A unique cultural and sporting activity of the Khmer people. Photo: DANH THANH

The young generation of Cham people also have high expectations for the 1st Provincial Party Congress. Ms. Sariyah, residing in Chau Phong commune, shared: “We hope that the Provincial Party Congress will give new development directions, pay attention to vocational training, and introduce jobs to young people. We are ready to study and contribute to building a civilized and prosperous An Giang.”

From bustling Rach Gia ward to the peaceful Bay Nui area, from the Cham craft village of Chau Phong commune to the Chinese quarter of Chau Doc ward, the aspiration for development is spreading strongly. Above all, it is the belief of the ethnic communities in the leadership of the Party and the care of the State. "With the tradition of solidarity, the care of the Party, the consensus of the people, I believe that the ethnic minority areas will develop strongly, contributing to the successful implementation of the resolution of the Provincial Party Congress for the term 2025 - 2030", said Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Danh Phuc.

The new An Giang province after the merger has 29 ethnic groups living together, with about 472,132 people, accounting for 9.53% of the population; of which, the Khmer people account for 8%, the Chinese 0.93%, the Cham 0.43% and other ethnic minorities 0.1%. By the end of 2024, the number of poor households of ethnic minorities in the whole province will be 2,869.

FAMOUS CITY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doan-ket-cac-dan-toc-chung-khat-vong-phat-trien-a462751.html