As one of the youngest members of Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly, Ly Mi Le, a preschool teacher from the Si La ethnic group, sees her election not only as an honor but as a profound responsibility - to carry the voices and aspirations of her community to the national legislature.

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Portrait of National Assembly deputy Ly Mi Le from the Si La ethnic group.

According to the National Election Council, Ly Mi Le, born in 2001 and currently working at Huoi Lech Preschool in Muong Toong commune, Dien Bien province, was elected as a deputy to the 16th National Assembly for the 2026-2031 term, representing electoral unit No. 2.

As a Gen Z candidate who successfully secured a seat in the legislature, she regards her role as a meaningful contribution from a younger generation - connecting grassroots realities with policymaking, and supporting the development of the Si La community in particular, as well as ethnic minority and mountainous regions more broadly.

Born and raised in Nam Sin village, Muong Nhe commune, Ly Mi Le developed an early awareness of the critical role education plays in shaping the future of children in remote areas. That understanding led her to pursue a career in teaching, and now motivates her to contribute from a higher platform as a National Assembly deputy.

She notes that several pressing issues in highland education require urgent attention, including temporary classrooms, semi-boarding kitchens, and access to clean water - all essential to ensuring a safe and stable learning environment for ethnic minority children.

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Ly Mi Le with her students.

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The road leading to Huoi Lech Preschool in Muong Toong commune, Dien Bien province remains unpaved.

School nutrition is another concern close to her heart. Malnutrition rates among ethnic minority children remain high, she said, underscoring the need to increase lunch subsidies for preschool children in particularly disadvantaged areas so they can both learn and develop physically.

Beyond education, the young deputy places strong emphasis on literacy for women in highland communities, as well as raising awareness about maternal and child care, preventing domestic violence, and addressing child marriage and consanguineous marriage - issues that directly affect the future of ethnic minority populations.

Sharing her thoughts on the new responsibility, Ly Mi Le said: “Being entrusted by voters to represent their will and aspirations, I am committed to staying close to reality, listening carefully to people’s concerns at the grassroots level, and conveying them truthfully to the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant authorities.”

The electoral unit where she was elected includes Muong Lay ward and the communes of Sin Thau, Muong Nhe, Muong Toong, Nam Ke, Quang Lam, Muong Cha, Na Hy, Na Bung, Si Pa Phin, Cha To, Muong Tung, Pa Ham, Na Sang, Nam Nen, and Muong Pon.

These are all remote and underserved areas, where expectations are high for a representative who is close to the people and understands their lives - someone like Ly Mi Le.

Thuy Hong