PM Chính Engages Cần Thơ Voters, Highlights Breakthroughs in Healthcare and Education

Cần Thơ, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday met with voters in the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ to brief them on the outcomes of the 15th National Assembly’s 10th session and listen to public opinions, with discussions focusing on major policy breakthroughs in healthcare and education.

The meeting was attended by National Assembly (NA) deputies, including Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Lê Quang Tùng; Chairman of the NA’s Council for Ethnic Affairs Lâm Văn Mẫn; NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Lê Quang Mạnh; Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn; and Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan, along with more than 300 voters comprising officials, civil servants, teachers, lecturers, and medical workers.

Significant time was devoted to voter feedback, particularly on the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 71 on breakthrough development in education and training, and Resolution No. 72 on measures to better protect and improve public health.

Responding to voters’ concerns, the Prime Minister and ministry leaders clarified policies aimed at encouraging private investment in elderly care, offering incentives for medical workers, attracting human resources to grassroots healthcare facilities, and reforming legal frameworks in line with the two-tier local administration model. They also addressed measures to strengthen the role of the private sector, support universities in the Mekong Delta to become regional knowledge hubs, and enhance financial mechanisms to improve higher education quality and scientific research.

PM Chính emphasised that healthcare and education are two fundamental pillars directly linked to citizens’ well-being and Việt Nam’s aspiration toward prosperity, civilisation, and sustainable development. To implement Resolution No. 72, the Government has submitted to the National Assembly two draft laws and one resolution for approval, including the Law on Population, the Law on Disease Prevention, and a resolution on breakthrough mechanisms for healthcare development, aiming to build a stronger nation where citizens can live longer, healthier, and better lives.

He noted that the Government will soon implement the newly approved national target programme on healthcare, population, and development for the 2026–2035 period, comprising five projects with a total budget of nearly VNĐ90 trillion (US$3.4 billion). The programme focuses on strengthening grassroots healthcare networks, improving disease prevention capacity, enhancing public health, promoting population development, and expanding social care for vulnerable groups.

On education, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that high-quality human resources are a decisive factor for national development. During the 10th NA session, the Government submitted and the legislature approved three laws and one resolution related to education, including amendments to the Law on Education, the Law on Higher Education, the Law on Vocational Education, and a resolution on special and breakthrough mechanisms to advance educational reform and development.

In addition, the Government submitted a national target programme valued at over VNĐ580 trillion to modernise and enhance the quality of education and training at all levels for the National Assembly’s consideration.

While acknowledging Cần Thơ’s achievements, the Prime Minister pointed out existing shortcomings such as uneven school standards, shortages of teachers—particularly at preschool and primary levels—and incomplete financial autonomy. He urged the city to restructure its education network in line with the two-tier local administration model, consolidate regional universities, and prioritise quality improvement over administrative expansion.

He also stressed the importance of improving human resources, infrastructure, and management capacity, while accelerating digital transformation in both healthcare and education.

Later the same day, PM Chính inspected the Châu Đốc–Cần Thơ–Sóc Trăng expressway project section in Cần Thơ, calling for accelerated progress, strict quality control, and measures to prevent wastefulness and corruption, while ensuring effective resettlement policies to protect people’s livelihoods. Phase 1 of the project spans 188.2 kilometres with a four-lane design and a total investment of nearly VNĐ44.7 trillion. It is scheduled for completion by 2026 and full operation across the entire route by 2027.

The expressway is a key east–west transport artery linking Mekong Delta localities, running through An Giang province and Cần Thơ city. The Prime Minister also directed that the Cần Thơ–Cà Mau expressway project be completed no later than January 31, 2026, to ensure full connectivity of the North–South Expressway from Cao Bằng to Cà Mau.