The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion on 27/12 hosted the 2025 Commendation Ceremony for Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth. This year's event honored representatives from 53 ethnic groups, the highest number to date, with a historic highlight: the first time a university valedictorian from an ethnic minority group has been recognized.

Ha Thi Anh Tuyet, from the Muong ethnic group in Phu Tho province, made history as the program's first university valedictorian. She achieved an overall GPA of 8,8/10, leading the Ethnic Minority Region Educational Economics major at the Academy of Ethnic Minorities. Her achievement was specifically celebrated during the program's inaugural year of honoring this particular group.

According to Deputy Minister Y Thong of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, the organizing committee meticulously selected the honorees from nearly 900 applications. The 150 individuals recognized showcased diverse talents and academic excellence, including: 64 students who achieved third prize or higher in national or international competitions across various fields such as gifted student exams, science and technology, art, and sports.

Beyond the top academic achievers, the ceremony also recognized: 43 students who passed university entrance exams with 27 points or higher based on a three-subject combination; 17 students from ethnic groups facing specific difficulties; 10 outstanding students recommended by local authorities; and 15 outstanding ethnic minority youth excelling in various other fields.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh presents a laurel wreath to a commended student. *Organizing Committee*.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh lauded the event, emphasizing its profound humanistic significance. He highlighted how the ceremony celebrates the tradition of studiousness and the striving spirit of ethnic minority youth, underscoring the importance of their educational pursuits.

He noted that education in ethnic minority regions has received special attention recently. This focus is evident in the expansion of the school system from preschool to high school, the strengthening of boarding and semi-boarding schools, and the implementation of policies supporting lunch meals, tuition fee exemptions and reductions, study costs, and scholarships. Recently, construction began on 100 inter-level primary and secondary boarding schools in border communes, with the goal of completing school construction in 248 mainland border communes nationwide.

The Deputy Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion to lead and coordinate with other ministries and agencies. Their focus should be on training, fostering, and developing a pool of officials from outstanding ethnic minority students. He also suggested selecting and providing scholarships for some commended individuals to pursue education abroad.

According to Nguyen Van Ba, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Organizing Committee, since 2013, over 2,000 ethnic minority students and youth from 53 ethnic groups nationwide have been honored through this program. Many of these individuals have gone on to become doctors, engineers, teachers, communal officials, and military officers, returning to their hometowns to contribute significantly to local development.

Khanh Linh