Ethnic and religious communities play key role in safeguarding national security

The Ministry of Public Security held a conference in Vinh Long province on October 22 to share good experiences and honor effective models and outstanding individuals from promoting the "All people protecting national security" movement in ethnic minority and religious communities in southwestern Viet Nam during the 2025–2026 period.

The conference was chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Head of the Central Steering Committee for the "All people protecting national security" movement.

Delegates included Tran Tri Quang, Deputy Secretary of the Vinh Long Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Lam Minh Dang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Major General Nguyen Thanh Hai, Director of the Vinh Long Provincial Police Department; and representatives of central ministries, agencies and police departments.

In his welcoming remarks, Chairman Tran Tri Quang highlighted Vinh Long's cultural and religious diversity, noting that the province is home to 25 ethnic groups, with the Khmer community accounting for approximately 10.6 percent of its population.

He praised ethnic and religious communities for their solidarity and active participation in patriotic emulation movements, charitable activities and community development.

During the first nine months of 2026, Vinh Long recorded a 7.32 percent increase in gross regional domestic product (GRDP), an 11.35 percent rise in industrial production and a 22.12 percent increase in exports, which reached US$3.289 billion. The province also made progress in social welfare, education, healthcare and digital transformation while maintaining security and public order.

The local official attributed these achievements in part to the provincial police force's central role in maintaining security and mobilizing cooperation across the political system and local communities.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Public Security CPV Organization, the Ministry of Public Security's leadership and the Central Steering Committee for the "All people protecting national security" movement, Deputy Minister Le Van Tuyen commended local authorities, police forces and ethnic and religious communities across southwestern Viet Nam for their contributions to the movement.

He noted that safeguarding national security and maintaining social order in strategically important areas, such as southwestern Viet Nam, requires broader public participation, particularly from ethnic minority and religious communities.

The Deputy Minister stressed that community-based security initiatives should go beyond supporting grassroots security efforts to enable residents to take a more direct and active role in protecting national security and maintaining peace in their communities.

He called for stronger coordination among local authorities, relevant agencies and police forces, emphasizing that the movement is a shared responsibility of the entire political system and the public, rather than a task for the police alone.

Local leaders were urged to establish clear responsibilities, strengthen coordination and ensure that security models are implemented consistently and adapted to local conditions.

“Quality over quantity” should remain the guiding principle, Deputy Minister Le Van Tuyen said, calling on police departments throughout the southwestern region to conduct comprehensive assessments of existing initiatives.

Effective models should be maintained and expanded, while outdated or inefficient ones should be stopped immediately to avoid duplicating unnecessary ones.

He emphasized that each initiative should aim to meet local security needs while taking into account demographic characteristics, customs, traditions and the legitimate interests of residents.

The Deputy Minister also called for more accessible and practical public outreach, greater use of science and technology, and stronger digital transformation efforts in community security activities.

Particular attention should be paid to promoting the role of religious dignitaries, community leaders and respected individuals, who can encourage public participation, foster common understanding and help address local security challenges.

Outstanding organizations and individuals should be identified, recognized and supported so that their successful approaches can be replicated more widely.

The Deputy Minister further urged local authorities to combine security efforts with socio-economic development, social welfare and improved living standards.

He also highlighted the importance of building a professional, capable and modern police force, particularly at the commune, ward and special-zone levels, in line with the goal of modernizing grassroots-level police forces by 2027.

He called for stronger grassroots security support forces to assist local police in maintaining public order and contributing to socio-economic development.

At the conference, delegates highlighted the movement's achievements, exchanged hands-on experiences and discussed challenges and measures to improve its effectiveness.

Police departments across southwestern Viet Nam have reviewed and consolidated community-based security initiatives, reducing the number of models from 728 to 435 to concentrate resources on those best suited to local needs and changing development conditions.

Many of these initiatives have successfully mobilized religious leaders, respected community members and local residents to promote legal awareness, provide security-related information, mediate disputes, support the reintegration of former offenders, and assist disadvantaged households.

The Ministry of Public Security has recognized 25 outstanding models in the region and recommended their replication nationwide.

Notable examples include the "Three Forms of Support for Religious Communities" initiative in Dong Thap province; the Cham community's participation in maintaining security and public order in Tan Thanh commune, Tay Ninh province; and a self-management group within the ethnic Chinese community in Hong Dan commune, Ca Mau province.

Other initiatives include "Peaceful Parishes and Harmonious Families" in Can Dang, An Giang province; a model encouraging Buddhist monks and followers to participate in crime prevention in Can Tho city; and an initiative promoting the role of Hoa Hao Buddhist communities in Dong Thanh ward, Vinh Long province.

Besides their contribution to maintaining security and public order, these initiatives have strengthened social cohesion, supported community welfare, and reinforced solidarity among ethnic and religious groups.

The conference also honored outstanding organizations and individuals for their contributions to the movement, highlighting the importance of community engagement in safeguarding national security and supporting sustainable development.