These days, the roads leading to Khmer villages have been cleaned and decorated. The neatly built houses lining both sides of the road stand as a testament to improved living standards, with their vibrant gardens of yellow apricot blossoms and marigolds ushering in the New Year. Rural transport infrastructure has been upgraded, with concrete roads now linking hamlets and villages to commune and ward centres, making travel and trade more convenient and adding to the festive spirit.

Duong Thi Diep, a resident of Phu Thuan village in Nhu Gia commune, expresses her delight, recalling that the road in front of her house used to be just a narrow dirt path. Thanks to the Party and State’s attention and investment, the road has been transformed into a spacious and well-paved one, making it easier for children to go to school and for residents to travel to local markets.

The Lunar New Year joy is not confined to Phu Thuan village. In Chau Thanh village of An Ninh commune, the newly upgraded 3.5-meter-wide riverside road stretching over one kilometer has brought visible change. Residents no longer need to leave motorbikes at neighbours’ homes or rely on boats, vehicles can now reach their doorsteps. The transport and sale of agricultural products have also become significantly more convenient.

Tran Van Son, a local resident, says traders can now come directly to purchase goods, noting that the road has been a great source of happiness for the community and a clear sign of the Party and State’s support.

Alongside infrastructure development, policies supporting Khmer ethnic minorities have been implemented in a comprehensive manner, ranging from production loans and health care to education and sustainable livelihood programmes. Many households have boldly shifted crops and livestock, adopted effective economic models, and gradually increased incomes while stabilising their lives.

Welcoming the Year of the Horse 2026, the family of Dinh Xuan Tuoi in Bung Chum village of Ngoc To commune celebrated not only the festive season but also their recent escape from poverty. With support from the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction, his family received two breeding cows, laying a foundation for long-term livelihood development.

Tuoi shares that he had previously depended mainly on crop farming, but with the newly provided cattle, he aims to expand his herd to three breeding cows, hoping to raise several calves each year to steadily improve his family’s economic situation.

National target programmes have played a crucial role in advancing socio-economic development, particularly in ethnic minority areas. The multidimensional poverty rate has declined markedly, narrowing development gaps among population groups and regions. Living conditions for disadvantaged households, especially ethnic minorities, have improved, with better access to education, health care, clean water, cultural activities, and information services.

In Tra Canh B vamlet of Thuan Hoa commune, where around 70% of residents are Khmer, housing support, livestock assistance, and vocational transition programmes have significantly transformed the local landscape. The hamlet now records only 18 poor households and 12 near-poor households.

Ly Dong, Party cell secretary of Tra Canh B vamlet, expresses hope that in the new year, the Party and State would continue to introduce support policies for families facing housing and employment difficulties, further improving livelihoods.

Practical results demonstrate that through the attention of the Party, the State, and local authorities, particularly the effective implementation of ethnic policies and national target programmes, production and living standards among ethnic minorities, especially Khmer people in Can Tho, have steadily improved. Policies have been delivered in a timely and comprehensive manner.

Currently, 100% of communes and wards in Can Tho city are connected to the national power grid, with over 99.8% of ethnic minority households having access to electricity. Residents also benefit from telecommunications and media services that enhance cultural and spiritual life. Efforts to preserve and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage among ethnic communities have also been strengthened.

Nguyen Minh Tri, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Vinh Chau ward, shared that through various support policies and models, local livelihoods, particularly among Khmer residents, have improved significantly. Thanks to timely job creation and appropriate vocational transitions, the ward’s poverty rate has dropped sharply, with 129 poor households remaining, down by 136 compared to 2024.

He added that in the coming time, authorities will continue promoting public awareness campaigns and providing technical guidance to help residents apply production techniques more effectively, thereby contributing to sustainable poverty reduction, particularly among ethnic minorities.

As the Lunar New Year arrives, it brings renewed faith and hope. From tangible improvements already achieved, Khmer people feel more confident in the continued support of the Party, the State, and local authorities. In the vibrant atmosphere of the spring season, they look forward to favourable weather, productive harvests, and ever more prosperous and happy lives.

Preserving cultural identity of Khmer people in southern Vietnam

VOV.VN - The traditional cultural values of the Khmer community in southern Vietnam continue to be preserved and passed down through generations, forming a distinctive cultural identity rooted in music, language, festivals, folk dances and traditional attire.