In a week marked by significant political and social developments in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, two major events have drawn attention to the region's evolving leadership and the robust ambitions of its youth. On October 3, 2025, the People's Council of Can Tho City convened to elect Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen as Chairman of the People's Committee for the 2021-2026 term, a move that underscores the city's ongoing administrative transformation. Meanwhile, in the neighboring Vinh Thong ward, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union held its inaugural congress for the 2025-2030 term, setting forth a bold agenda aimed at empowering local youth and uplifting disadvantaged communities.
According to reporting by VGP, the election of Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen was the result of careful preparation and unanimous consensus within the Can Tho City Party Committee. The meeting, chaired by Secretary Le Quang Tung and attended by other senior officials, was a pivotal moment for the city. The Party Executive Committee unanimously agreed to introduce Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, then Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee, as the sole candidate for the top executive post. This decision came after the previous Chairman, Mr. Tran Van Lau, was reassigned to new duties by the Politburo.
Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen's career trajectory is emblematic of the region's interconnected political landscape. Born in 1969 in Yen Phuong commune, Yen Dinh district, Thanh Hoa province, Mr. Tuyen is widely recognized for his extensive experience across multiple administrative levels. He has served in various capacities in both Can Tho and Hau Giang provinces, including as Deputy Director of the Hau Giang Finance Department, Chief of the Hau Giang People's Committee Office, Deputy Secretary of the Chau Thanh district Party Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Hau Giang People's Committee. Notably, he holds a master's degree in economics and advanced political theory, credentials that have supported his steady rise through the ranks.
The transfer and appointment of Mr. Tuyen to the Can Tho City Party Committee was formalized earlier this year. On February 10, 2025, the Party Secretariat decided to move him to the Executive and Standing Committees of the Can Tho City Party Committee, maintaining his role as Deputy Secretary for the 2020-2025 term. Just days later, on February 20, the Can Tho City People's Council elected him as Chairman for the 2021-2026 term. The administrative map of the region shifted again in July 2025, when the merger of Can Tho, Hau Giang, and Soc Trang into the new Can Tho City took effect. Despite these changes, Mr. Tuyen remained in his post as Deputy Secretary, a testament to the trust placed in his leadership.
Secretary Le Quang Tung, speaking at the October meeting, emphasized the importance of adhering to established procedures and ensuring a smooth transition. He directed the Party Committee of the People's Council to "prepare thoroughly and carefully, with full content, to organize the session of the People's Council on October 3, 2025, to carry out the procedures for the dismissal of the Chairman of the People's Committee for Mr. Tran Van Lau and the election of the new Chairman for Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen in accordance with regulations." The careful attention to process reflects the city's commitment to orderly governance during a period of significant institutional change.
While Can Tho's leadership was being reshaped at the top, the youth of Vinh Thong ward were charting a course for the future at the grassroots level. The first congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Vinh Thong ward, held for the 2025-2030 term, was a milestone event for the local community. The union set forth 15 ambitious targets, aiming to ensure that at least 50% of its members are rated as excellently fulfilling their duties by the end of the term.
The congress, as reported by local sources, laid out a comprehensive plan to cultivate the next generation of leaders and support vulnerable segments of society. Among the goals are fostering and introducing 300 outstanding youth members for Party consideration, with the expectation that new Party member growth from the union will account for half of all new admissions to the ward's Party Committee. The union also aims to recruit 900 new members and 1,000 new association members during the term, a significant expansion of its base.
Career development is a central theme of the union's agenda. At least 1,000 member visits per year will benefit from career counseling and orientation services, and the union has committed to introducing employment opportunities for five young people annually. Recognizing the challenges faced by disadvantaged youth, the organization will provide support to 2,000 children in difficult circumstances, helping to bridge the gap between opportunity and need.
Community service projects are another cornerstone of the union's mission. Plans include coordinating with local sectors to renovate five charity houses for youth members facing hardship, organizing five free medical examination and medicine distribution campaigns for the poor, and awarding scholarships to at least 1,000 students who excel academically despite financial adversity. The union will also support ten young people in starting businesses and implement five youth-led projects, such as establishing ten study corners in school teams and constructing at least one "Lighting the Road" project to improve local infrastructure.
The leadership structure of the Vinh Thong ward Youth Union reflects both continuity and renewal. On October 14, 2025, the congress announced the decision of the An Giang Provincial Youth Union to appoint 27 members to the Executive Committee and nine to the Standing Committee. Comrade Truong Hoai Khanh was named Secretary of the Vinh Thong ward Youth Union for the 2025-2030 term, signaling a new chapter for the organization.
These developments in Can Tho City and Vinh Thong ward illustrate the dynamic interplay between experienced leadership and youthful ambition in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. As Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen assumes the helm of a rapidly evolving city and the Vinh Thong Youth Union embarks on its first term with an eye toward social impact, the region stands at a crossroads of tradition and transformation. The coming years will reveal how these leaders—both seasoned and emerging—navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, shaping the future of their communities with vision and resolve.