Hồ Thị Thúy Trang, a Pa Cô ethnic candidate running for the 16th National Assembly from Huế City. Photos courtesy of Hồ Thị Thúy Trang

Nguyễn Khánh Chi

HUẾ - As one of the three youngest candidates nationwide seeking for a seat at the coming term of the country’s highest legislative body – the National Assembly (NA) - Hồ Thị Thúy Trang thought long and hard before deciding to stand as a candidate.

"I want to do what 'young people should do': step out of my comfort zone, listen more intently, and boldly raise the voice of the young generation," said Trang from the Pa Cô ethnic group in the central region.

"If given the opportunity, I will not just represent myself; I will carry the aspirations and concerns of the youth, especially ethnic youth, to the National Assembly."

For Trang, head of the local Farmers’ Association, the driving force behind her candidacy lies in the humble stories and legitimate dreams of the local people.

A young couple in Phú Thượng Village in A Lưới 3 Commune, Huế City, once told Trang: “If pig farming remains unsustainable, we might have to migrate for work.”

Their words weighed heavily on the mind of the young girl who currently serves as head of the Phú Thượng Village’s Farmers’ Association.

“In our hometown, many people don't want to leave, but precarious incomes leave them with no other choice," she said.

"I believe that if support policies were more grounded in reality and market connections were stronger, they would be able to stay."

It is these very simple, ordinary stories that made Trang decide to take a bold step. She wants to speak for such simple but profound aspirations.

"The people's desires are simple: stable work, reliable roads, and schooling for their children. They want progress, but they also want to hold fast to their roots," said the candidate who turns 24 this May.

Trang believes she can serve as a faithful bridge between her community and the NA.

Coming from a family with no background in professional politics, Trang’s path has been shaped primarily by her social activism and deep ties to the local community.

And when she decided to run for the NA, her parents felt a mix of immense pride and high expectations, encouraging her to give her all for the betterment of their homeland.

To ensure young farmers don't abandon their roots, she strongly believes that: “We must help them see a viable future in agriculture. This requires more accessible financing, specific technical guidance, and above all, guaranteed market outlets for their products. With a stable income, the youth will no longer feel the need to leave.”

Born to try

Born and raised in Phú Thượng Village, Trang comes from a family with deep ties to rural life. Despite graduating with a degree in Primary Education from the University of Education, Huế University, she chose to return to her hometown to work at the grassroots level.

Her decision was driven by a simple yet heartfelt desire: to contribute, in her own small way, to the development of her local community.

“Since childhood, my parents have always told me to live with a sense of responsibility toward the community and the importance of lending a helping hand,” said Trang.

“As a local native, I am deeply familiar with the hardships facing rural families. When the call came for youth to take on leadership roles, I accepted the position of Head of the Village Farmers’ Association,” Trang said.

“At first, many were surprised to see a young woman in such a role, but that scepticism only strengthened my resolve to prove myself and serve my community well."

Hồ Thị Thúy Trang (far right sitting) and other candidates during a meeting with local voters on March 11.

In her capacity, Trang has gained a deep understanding of and sympathy towards local farmers and truly grasps the weight of their hardships.

“Agriculture is a gamble, it is heavily dependent on weather, market swings, and production conditions, making incomes incredibly precarious," she said. It is painful to see them toil so hard, only to receive returns that often fail to reflect the sweat and effort they put into the soil.”

“This reality makes it crystal clear to me: we must empower our farmers with modern technology, help them add value to their products, and secure reliable markets for their harvests.”

From her position, Trang constantly strives to inspire a shift in mindset and methods among the local farmers. She encouraged them to boldly adopt more efficient production models and to leverage digital tools to stay informed and understand market trends.

Beyond that, she actively facilitated networking and knowledge-sharing, fostering a spirit of solidarity where everyone supports each other in their economic growth.

“Though my actions may seem small, I believe that if we all pull together, our community’s standard of living will improve, step by step,” said Trang.

Speaking of her NA candidate’s agenda, Trang said: “I want to drive sustainable farming so our farmers can earn what they truly deserve. I want to create a future where our youth can study and start businesses right here at home. And most importantly, I want to be a voice that faithfully echoes the people’s dreams to the government. I want to be a representative who doesn't just lead, but listens and walks every step of the way with my community.”

Actually, what drove her most is the hope of being a voice for those at the grassroots level—particularly the farmers and young people in her native village. Through her work and recent interactions with the local people as an NA candidate, Trang realised that many of their heartfelt aspirations have yet to be heard or conveyed to the competent authorities.

“Running for the National Assembly is a privilege I don't take lightly; it is a duty to my roots. I hope for the opportunity to serve as a faithful bridge between the people and State agencies," said Trang.

If elected, Trang states that she will prioritise advocating for sustainable livelihoods for farmers and youth in mountainous regions. She believes that economic stability serves as the foundation; once it is secured, other social issues will gradually find their solutions. VNS