The conference was held to review 15 years of implementing an instruction issued by the secretariat of the Party Central Committee on issues involving Khmer ethnic people.

Mr Hung told the conference that the Secretariat's Instruction takes into account the desires of the Khmer people and cadres, encouraging vitality and creativity in the region, especially in promoting a tradition of national solidarity and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people, including monks and nuns.

The deputy PM praised the Khmer people’s to overcome their poverty, but conceded that a predominantly agrarian economy, remote location and poor infrastructure facilities have had an adverse effect on the material and spiritual lives of the Khmer people.

He affirmed that the policy of the Party and Government is focussed on  concentrated on building solidarity, equality and mutual assistance for national construction.

Deputy PM Hung requested local authorities to give priority to solving the issues of housing and clean water for ethnic people.

He also asked the relevant offices to implement nationality policies effectively,  alleviate poverty and generate jobs. Priority should also be given to providing healthcare, education and loans for the Khmer people to boost production.

Speaking at the conference, the Deputy Director of the South-western Vietnam Steering Committee Bui Quang Huy said the population of the region has grown to nearly 17 million, with Khmers accounting for 1.2 million.

The Secretariat's Instruction aims to create positive changes in the economy, and stabilise national defence and security in the region, he said.

Since 2001, over VND1,000 billion has been invested in building infrastructure facilities for the Khmer people, including restoring and building 108 pagodas and providing houses for more than 60,000 Khmer families.