An online meeting between candidates and voters for the elections on Sunday (May 23) was held recently for the first time in HCM City. Photo sggp.org.vn

On Sunday, millions of Vietnamese people nationwide will go to the polls to choose their representatives for the 15th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term. HCM City voters of all walks of life share their expectations about the elected deputies that play a major role in creating a prosperous country.

Voter Vũ Hắc Bồng, 95, of Tân Phong Ward, District 7: “Candidates’ enthusiasm and ethics most important.”

Since the first General Election in 1946, I have never missed an election. This year marks the 15th time I have had the honour to exercise my right to vote. 

Based on my observation, I reckon the qualifications of candidates have improved over the years. Most candidates are highly qualified, many of whom are leading experts in their fields. 

In addition to education qualification, what we are most concerned about candidates is their ethics, enthusiasm and vision. So we must vote for them based on these qualities.

I have an expectation that the elected candidates must always maintain their dignity and be close to people and ensure justice because “they belong to the people and are elected by the people”.

Voter Nguyễn Hữu Trí, secretary of the Youth Union of An Lạc A Ward, Bình Tân District: “I'm most concerned about policies to support youth.”

I am most concerned about the policies to support the youth. I hope the activities of the People’s Council and the National Assembly in the coming term will pay attention to specific policies to support the Youth Union officials at the grassroots level. 

It’s important to ensure training at schools is close to social needs in reality. It is also vital to promote and invest more in job placement centres to help young people to have more options in finding a job. It is also essential to call for stricter measures to punish illegal centres. 

HCM City also needs to further streamline administrative procedures and disseminate information about current policies to support youth start-ups.

Senior Colonel Phạm Đức Bảy, political commissar of Regiment 742, Division 317, Military Region 7: “It’s key to promote the city’s sustainable development.”

As a voter in the armed forces, I am particularly interested in the elections, which play a major role in the country’s socio-economic development. Each deputy has a great responsibility. 

Despite past achievements in the country’s socio-economic development, a range of problems exist, of which in quality in economic development is the most serious problem. These problems have not been thoroughly resolved, causing frustration and skepticism among the people. 

In the term 2021-2026, I recommend that the elected deputies focus on policies to promote the development of HCM City, the country’s largest economic hub, and remote, border, island, and disadvantaged areas. 

Voter Hoàng Thị Lợi, Bến Nghe Ward, District 1: “Deputies need to be more politically brave.”

I hope in the next term of the National Assembly, the work of law-making should never be assigned to ministries so that “transparency and objectivity are ensured.” This is because when the law-making is assigned to ministries, it takes a long time to wait for decrees and circulars for guidance when the law takes effect. 

In addition, to build a smart city, the urban government needs a great team of diligent, professional and honest officials and employees to serve the people. Therefore, the State needs to have reasonable policies for grassroots official cadres. 

Voters expect the elected deputies will be politically brave in building laws and making important decision for the country’s development.

Most Venerable Thích Huệ Thông, deputy secretary general of the Central Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha in HCM City

Monks, nuns and Buddhist followers in the city are well aware that it’s important to have a great leadership team who are talented and dedicated to make great contributions to the country’s development, especially during international integration.

We highly expect that upcoming elections will choose the right people with full standards. And I hope all Vietnamese people, including monks, nuns and Buddhists, will fully fulfill their civic responsibilities to the country through voting.

Voter Nguyễn Thị Trang, worker at VNICE Trading Service Joint Stock Company in Bình Chánh District. “We need space to play and study for workers.”

Workers’ lives have improved in recent years, especially in terms of financial condition. However, most workers don’t have enough opportunities to improve their spiritual and cultural life. I am excited to learn that the life of female workers has become a main task of many deputies in their action plans.

I hope that more kindergartens for workers’ children will be built in industrial zones and that spaces for cultural activities and learning for workers are created. 

These policies are needed to help workers improve their skills and labour productivity so they can contribute to the development of HCM City and the country as a whole. — VNS