Attending the conference were Nong Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; Cao Van Quang, member of the Standing Board of the Party Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province; Lo Minh Hung, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Son La provincial Party Committee; and Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, head of the Son La delegation to the National Assembly, and permanent deputy head of the steering committee; among others.

From 2020 to 2025, with support from ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (now the Ministry of Finance), the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, along with several provinces including Hung Yen, Phu Tho, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Dien Bien, Ho Chi Minh City, and particularly Dong Nai, as well as through programmes and projects implemented in Son La, by the end of 2024, the province had supported the construction and repair of 9,317 makeshift and dilapidated houses. The total funding exceeded 441 billion VND (17.01 million USD), including over 383 billion VND from different economic sectors and more than 58 billion VND from the state budget.

Following the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 539/QD-TTg dated June 19, 2024 regarding the implementation of a nationwide emulation movement to do away with substandard housing, Son La province has so far this year provided housing support for 3,058 families, achieving its set target. This includes building 2,653 new houses and repairing 405 others, with total funding of over 171 billion VND. The progress has surpassed the deadline set by the Government (October 31, 2025).

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nong Thi Ha commended Son La province for its strong determination and significant efforts in this regard. She highlighted that Son La was the first province in the northern mountainous region to complete the programme ahead of schedule. She was particularly impressed by the province’s approach in mobilising the entire political system, rallying all available resources, and fostering public consensus in the implementation process.

The official urged Son La to further address livelihood and employment issues for families that had received housing support, allocate residential and agricultural land for ethnic minority communities, and ensure stable incomes to improve living conditions and achieve sustainable poverty reduction.

She also called for continued review of any newly arising makeshift or dilapidated homes to proactively mobilise resources and ensure solid housing for all residents.

On behalf of the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Son La province, Khanh thanked ministries and agencies, particularly the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and the provinces, for their support over the past time.

He also extended his gratitude for the noble gestures and compassion of officials, Party members, individuals, and businesses both within and outside the province who actively responded to and effectively implemented the programme, helping the province complete the work.

Khanh called on all-level Party committees, authorities, VFF committees, and socio-political organisations across the province to continue promoting awareness among organisations, individuals, businesses, and local communities about the purpose, meaning, and humane significance of the campaign. The goal is to create widespread public support and mobilise all available social resources—alongside state funding—to assist poor and near-poor households, as well as policy-beneficiary families, in escaping poverty and stabilising their lives.

For households that have already received support, local Party committees and authorities must regularly raise awareness to inspire self-reliance and prevent dependency. They should also provide timely encouragement and guidance to help families maintain, protect, and use their homes effectively and sustainably.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee awarded certificates of merit to eight collectives and 36 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the housing programme in 2025.