THE HANOI TIMES — On a crisp morning in the northern mountain province of Thai Nguyen, Lo Thi Thanh Truc stood alongside her classmates, witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new school she had long dreamed of.
For years, students at Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students have endured lengthy commutes, navigating treacherous mountain roads that become even more perilous during the rainy season.
“It often feels unsafe, especially in bad weather. With the new school, we won’t have to travel so far anymore,” Truc shared with Thai Nguyen Newspaper.
Students of Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students in Thai Nguyen celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony. Photos: VGP
This simple relief encapsulates the human impact of Vietnam’s latest initiative to invest in education for ethnic minority and mountainous regions, where access to safe and modern learning facilities remains limited.
Last weekend marked the official commencement of construction for Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students in Thai Nguyen, one of three new education projects launched nationwide. This initiative is part of the Government’s broader strategy to enhance education quality, bridge developmental gaps, and ensure no child is left behind.
For teachers who have worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, the new campus represents a long-awaited opportunity to provide students with a safer, more stable, and better-equipped learning environment.
“The groundbreaking ceremony brought immense joy to teachers, students, and parents alike,” said Cao Quy Hao, a literature teacher at Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students.
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Many alumni of the school have become engineers, doctors, scientists, and leading officials in state agencies. The generations of students from Viet Bac High School stand as a testament to the effectiveness of Vietnam’s ethnic policies.
Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students is a prestigious institution, serving students from numerous ethnic groups and honored to have hosted President Ho Chi Minh three times—in 1960, 1962, and 1964. This highlights its historical significance and the trust it holds within ethnic minority communities, underscoring its importance in Vietnamese education for ethnic groups.
Since its establishment, the school has educated nearly 60,000 students from 32 ethnic minority groups across 21 mountainous provinces, from Quang Binh northward. Over time, the school’s training programs have expanded, now encompassing two systems: an ethnic minority boarding high school and a preparatory university program for nearly 30 ethnic minority groups.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized, “Investing in education is investing in development. People are our most valuable resource and the decisive factor in building strong human capital for national growth and security.”
The school projects were launched ahead of the 14th National Party Congress, held from January 19-25, underscoring Vietnam’s strategic vision for socio-economic development and national defense in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, guided by the principle of leaving no one behind.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other delegates initiate construction for Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students in Thai Nguyen.
Prime Minister Chinh reiterated, “Investing in education is investing in development, as people are the most valuable capital and driving force, laying the foundation for personal growth and serving as a decisive factor in building strong human resources for national development and security.”
He called on the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant ministries, and local authorities to remove obstacles and create favorable conditions for construction, ensuring the projects are completed by September 2026.
Additionally, he urged the military, public security forces, and local organizations to collaborate in building, repairing, and upgrading school facilities to provide students with the best possible learning conditions.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony.
With coordinated efforts across the political system, Prime Minister Chinh expressed confidence that children in ethnic minority and mountainous areas will study in safe, humane, and compassionate environments, laying a solid foundation for national development in the new era.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister presented 60 gifts to ethnic minority students and outstanding pupils of Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students, along with three specialized classrooms for foreign languages, arts, and information technology training.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts to ethnic minority students and outstanding pupils of Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students.
In addition to Viet Bac High School for Ethnic Minority Students, construction has also begun on two university preparatory schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa province.
Prime Minister Chinh noted, “The simultaneous commencement of these projects reflects our strong determination and close coordination in supporting students in mountainous areas, affirming the Government’s commitment to turning education-prioritized policies into concrete actions.”
