Professional development for ethnic minority public leaders in the Northern mountain regions of Vietnam: needs and barriers to their participation

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article responds to the research literature gap in professional development (PD) for Vietnamese ethnic minority leaders. Thematic analysis of 32 interviews with ethnic minority public leaders from the northern mountain regions identified PD needs of leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds including (i) ideological and political training, (ii) contemporary issues in local communities, (iii) diversity and inclusion training, and (iv) leadership skills. Three key barriers to their participation in PD were also found, namely (i) poor learning environment, (ii) lack of community engagement experience, and (iii) limited government and employer support. This study underscored that northern mountain ethnic minority leaders encounter ‘mountainous challenges’ when participating in PD activities. The paper concluded with strategies towards more effective PD for ethnic minority leaders in the northern mountain regions of Vietnam. The article carries practical and policy implications for PD developers as well as ethnic minority researchers and practitioners.