Overview of the conference

Attending the meeting were Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and President of the Vietnam Women's Union; leaders of National Assembly committees; and candidates for the National Assembly and the Hanoi People's Council for the 2026–2031 term.

At the meeting, candidates received updates on the city's socio-economic situation, security and national defense, as well as guidance on developing action programs for National Assembly and People's Council candidates to serve voter meetings and election campaigning activities. They were also informed of the schedule for voter meetings for National Assembly and People's Council candidates for the 2026–2031 term.

Speaking at the meeting, Ha congratulated 54 candidates for the National Assembly, including 39 introduced by Hanoi, and 205 candidates for the Hanoi People's Council who were evaluated, commented on and voted on through three rounds of consultation organized by the Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in accordance with proper procedures and principles of transparency and democracy.

"This affirms that the candidates have earned the trust and confidence of voters at their workplaces and places of residence to stand for election as deputies to the 16th National Assembly and the Hanoi People's Council for the 2026–2031 term," Ha emphasized.

Central and Hanoi leaders attend the conference

Regarding the official list of candidates for the 16th National Assembly and the Hanoi People's Council for the 2026–2031 term, Ha said that professional qualifications, academic titles and degrees and structural ratios are all higher than in previous terms.

Among the 54 qualified candidates for the National Assembly after the third consultation round, 33 hold the titles or degrees of professor, associate professor, doctorate or master's degree holders, accounting for 62.3 percent; 20 hold university degrees, accounting for 37.7 percent; 23 are women, accounting for 43.4 percent; seven are under 40 years old, accounting for 13.2 percent; 15 are incumbent candidates seeking re-election, accounting for 27.7 percent; and four are non-Party members, accounting for 7.5 percent.

Among the 205 candidates for the Hanoi People's Council for the 2026–2031 term, 149 are professors, associate professors, doctorate or master's degree holders, accounting for 60.1 percent; 98 hold university degrees, accounting for 39.5 percent; and one has below university level education, accounting for 0.4 percent. 

Women account for 107 candidates, or 43.1 percent; four are from ethnic minority groups, accounting for 1.6 percent; 84 are under 40 years old, accounting for 33.9 percent; 34 are non-Party members, accounting for 13.7 percent; and 50 are incumbent candidates seeking re-election, accounting for 20.2 percent.

Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha speaks at the conference

Ha said the meeting serves as an important forum to update candidates on the capital's socio-economic development and strategic orientation while fostering shared awareness and action among each candidate in contributing to the building and development of the capital and the nation.

On behalf of the Hanoi Election Commission, she requested that each candidate be both an expert in their field and a public servant who stays close to the people and understands the practical realities of the city and the country.

"At this conference, competent agencies will provide a comprehensive picture of economic growth results, planning, urban management and Hanoi's distinctive social welfare policies, especially challenges related to infrastructure, environment and public order in the new context. This is an important database for candidates to develop campaign content that closely reflects local realities," Ha said.

Regarding action programs, she described them as a "political commitment" by candidates to voters. She requested candidates to carefully study and build action programs that ensure three elements: practicality, feasibility and accountability, in line with guidance from the Hanoi Party Committee's Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization. The programs should focus on issues that concern voters, from education, healthcare and employment to administrative reform and digital transformation.

"The action program must reflect each individual's unique strengths, linked to their professional field, while placing the interests of voters and the sustainable development of the capital and the nation at the center," she suggested.

Ha stressed that National Assembly and People's Council candidates must conduct campaigning activities in their respective electoral units. The Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has issued plans and guidance to organize voter meetings for candidates in each electoral unit. She affirmed that this is a crucial step for each candidate to present their action program to voters if elected as deputies to the National Assembly or the Hanoi People's Council.

She urged candidates to carefully study the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly, the Law on the Organization of Local Government and the Law on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People's Councils; the standards for deputies; and the position, role, responsibilities and authority of National Assembly and People's Council deputies. Candidates should also thoroughly research the localities where they are running to develop the most practical and suitable action programs.

"Election campaigning is not only a right but also a significant political responsibility before the Party and the people. Therefore, the Hanoi Election Commission expects candidates to exercise their campaigning rights in compliance with the Constitution and the law; to conduct campaigning in a democratic, equal, healthy and proper manner; not to engage in formalistic displays, not to make promises beyond their authority, not to affect the reputation of other organizations or individuals; and to maintain solidarity and mutual respect among candidates, with the ultimate goal of serving the people," Ha emphasized.

The Chairwoman of the Hanoi Election Commission expressed confidence that with their intellect, dedication and love for Hanoi and the nation, the candidates will prepare themselves with the best mindset and the strongest action programs as they enter the campaigning period. The success of each individual will contribute to the overall success of the election on March 15.