THE GOVERNMENT
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom – Happiness
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No. 05/2011/ND-CP
Hanoi, January 14, 2011
 
DECREE
ON ETHNIC MINORITIES WORK
THE GOVERNMENT
Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;
At the proposal of the Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs,
DECREES:
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of regulation
This Decree provides activities in ethnic minorities work in order to assure and promote equality, solidarity, mutual assistance for development, respect for and preservation of cultural identities of ethnic minority groups living in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Article 2. Subjects of application
This Decree applies 10 state agencies carrying out ethnic minorities work; and domestic and foreign organizations and individuals implementing the ethnic minority policy in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Article 3. Fundamental principles of ethnic minorities work
1. To implement the ethnic minority policy on the principles of equality, solidarity, respect and mutual assistance for development.
2. To assure and implement the policy on comprehensive development and gradual improvement of material and spiritual life for ethnic minority people.
3. To assure preservation of the language, scripts and identity, and promotion of fine customs, habits, traditions and culture, of each ethnic minority group.
4. An ethnic minority group shall respect customs and habits of other groups, contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture deeply imbued with the national identity.
Article 4. Interpretation of terms
In this Decree, the terms below are construed as follows:
1. Ethnic, minorities work means state management activities in ethnic minority affairs in order to impact and create conditions for development of ethnic minority groups while guaranteeing respect for and protection of lawful rights and interests of citizens.
2. Ethnic minority group means an ethnic group with a population smaller than that of the ethnic majority group within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3. Ethnic majority group means an ethnic group with a population accounting for over 50% of the country's total population according to national population survey.
4. Ethnic minority area means an area in which different ethnic minority groups live together, forming a stable community in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.