General Secretaray To Lam speaks to Hanoi voters on July 2.
General Secretary To Lam and members of the National Assembly delegation of Hanoi's Constituency No. 1 on July 2 met with voters from 11 wards in the capital.
These wards included Ba Dinh, Ngoc Ha, Giang Vo, Dong Da, Kim Lien, Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam, Lang, O Cho Dua, Hai Ba Trung, Vinh Tuy, and Bach Mai.
At the meeting, the delegation reported on the results of the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly.
Voters expressed strong agreement with the outcomes of what they described as a historic session, which passed several important laws and created a legal foundation for national development.
They also appreciated the focused and practical nature of the question-and-answer sessions.
Voters voiced particular support for the Central Committee's resolution on streamlining administrative units to create a more efficient and effective state apparatus.
They welcomed the merging of districts and communes and the elimination of the district-level government tier.
To date, the country has consolidated its administrative units down to 34 provinces and cities.
In Hanoi, 526 communes, wards, and townships have been reorganized into 126 new administrative units.
After the first two days of operating under the new two-tier local government model, the system has initially met public expectations in handling administrative procedures.
Voters also raised several concerns with the delegation, particularly regarding the use of surplus public assets, the capability and workload of grassroots officials after the mergers, and policies for officials affected by the restructuring.
They also called for stronger oversight by ward-level People's Councils and more resolute action against counterfeit goods and fake food products.
General Secretary To Lam noted that Hanoi's voters were well-informed about key national issues, especially the political restructuring and administrative reorganization taking place across the country.
He explained that the streamlining of the political system had been discussed since the 12th National Party Congress, and recent changes were in line with the need for rapid and comprehensive reform.
Lam cited several examples of reform at the central and local levels, including the transformation of party delegations into party committees in key national institutions, and the reaffirmation of the importance of People's Councils at the commune level.
According to him, the merging of the Party's Commission for Information and Education with the Mass Mobilization Commission, and the integration of mass organizations into the Vietnam Fatherland Front, will enhance the effectiveness of public communication and engagement, reinforce national unity, and mobilize public strength for national development.
General Secretary To Lam emphasized that while the public has shown strong support for the restructuring, some officials remain hesitant, which he described as unreasonable.
He called on public officials to embrace the collective enthusiasm and sense of responsibility shown by the people.
He praised many officials who have voluntarily retired to help the Party and State restructure the system, placing the national interest above personal benefit.
Lam also thanked the voters for their clear understanding of the Party's key policies and noted that the Party has reformed its communication efforts to ensure that not only officials and party members but also the general public understand, support, and monitor policy implementation.
Looking ahead, he shared that the Party Central Committee will soon issue important resolutions on healthcare and education.
These are seen as vital for preparing the next generation of Vietnamese citizens, those born in 2025 will be 20 years old when the country marks its 100th founding anniversary in 2045.
The goal, he said, is to ensure they are healthy, well-educated, and capable of taking on future leadership roles.
He also highlighted the need to improve public health outcomes, noting that while the average life expectancy in Vietnam is 75, the average healthy life span is only 65.
Early healthcare interventions are needed to enhance the quality of life for the population.
On national development, the General Secretary stressed that the country's achievements have been made possible by unity within the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government, as well as by the broad consensus of the people.
This unity, he said, is the most important lesson and a fundamental strength that must continue to be nurtured.
A voter presents her opinions at the meeting.
He affirmed that the Party has set clear targets for the 100th anniversaries of both the Party and the nation.
Now that the new two-tier local government system is in place, the next step is to look to the future.
Despite the challenges ahead, there must be no retreat. Every agency, organization, and locality must contribute to achieving national goals.
He emphasized that maintaining peace, stability, and security is a national responsibility, but also the duty of every locality.
With that foundation, local governments must ensure that the recent mergers do not negatively affect economic growth, and they must still meet their development targets.
General Secretary To Lam urged all levels of government to focus on improving living standards, ensuring not only basic needs like housing and food but also access to cultural and spiritual values.
He praised the Hanoi Party Committee and municipal government for achieving significant progress in a short time, especially in addressing pressing issues such as traffic congestion, environmental improvement of the To Lich River, and providing free school lunches.
He also acknowledged efforts in public investment, urban renewal, and enhancing cultural life.
He expressed confidence that with unity, determination, and innovation, Hanoi would continue to fulfill its role as the country's leading city and remain worthy of its status as the national political and administrative center – the heart of the nation.