An exhibition on ethnic minority of groups opened on May 9 in Hanoi, highlighting their contributions to national defence and construction.

The four-day event, jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Committee for Ethnic Affairs, is a major cultural festival of ethnic groups to welcome the 120th birthday of the late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19) and the first national ethnic minority congress slated for May 11-13.

The exhibition is organized to cover two topics: (1) attention and assistance the Party and State have given to ethnic minorities and their cultures, and (2) books, newspapers, magazines and other cultural products that serve ethnic minorities, and a display of their socio-economic achievements from 2005 to 2009.

A number of images and documents provided by relevant ministries and agencies showcased at the exhibition will help visitors understand more deeply about state and government policies on ethnic minority groups during the 2005-2009 period.

As part of the event, arts performances and fashion shows along with the screening of documentation films on ethnic people will take place. The exhibition aims to honour and praise the merits and contributions of ethnic groups in national construction and defence as well as reflect their cultural, economic and social development during the process of renovation and integration.