The National Target Programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021–2025 period is designed for the first time as an independent programme, alongside the two major programmes: building new-style rural areas and sustainable poverty reduction.

The 15th National Assembly on December 5 morning debated the investment policy for a proposed unified national target programme running through 2035 that would combine three existing programmes on new-style rural area development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, with the session broadcast live nationwide.