The unique advantage of Hanoi’s new chairman Nguyen Duc Trung

National Assembly deputies have highlighted the strategic thinking and local governance experience of Nguyen Duc Trung, the newly elected Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee. Formerly Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, he brings a strong background in policy and development to the capital’s top executive role.

Nguyen Duc Trung, who currently serves as Deputy Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee (18th term), was elected to replace Tran Sy Thanh, who was appointed by the Central Committee to the Central Inspection Commission and now serves as its Chairman.

Born in 1974 in Thanh Hoa province, Trung holds a master’s degree in political economy, as well as bachelor’s degrees in economics and English.

Before taking office in Hanoi, he held various positions at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, including that of Deputy Minister. He later served as Deputy Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Nghe An People’s Committee, and then Party Secretary of Nghe An.

With deep expertise in economics, policy planning, and practical local governance, Trung is seen as a promising leader who can usher in a new strategic phase for Hanoi. The city is under pressure to reinvent itself to meet global urban standards.

According to National Assembly member Hoang Van Cuong (representing Hanoi), the capital is the political, economic, and cultural nucleus of the nation. It has a nationwide ripple effect, requiring its leadership to possess long-term strategic vision, national-level thinking, and comprehensive management capabilities.

He emphasized the need for a leader well-versed in reality and capable of resolving a wide array of arising issues.

"Nguyen Duc Trung’s background as a former Deputy Minister shows his strategic mindset and familiarity with modern governance. His experience in leading a major province like Nghe An equips him with practical knowledge across both macro-level direction and day-to-day local administration," Cuong noted.

“I expect the new chairman to embody all the qualities necessary to lead the capital and to work alongside the city’s leadership team in realizing the people’s aspirations, steering Hanoi towards a civilized and modern future,” he added.

Cuong pointed to urban planning as a key mission in the upcoming term. While Hanoi already has a comprehensive development blueprint, the success of that vision depends on execution.

“With an overarching perspective and proven administrative skills, I believe the new chairman can effectively translate planning into reality,” Cuong stated.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, a standing member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Society and a Hanoi representative, emphasized the significance of appointing a new chairman at this juncture. He sees it not just as a personnel shift, but a pivotal moment in implementing the Hanoi Party Committee’s 17th Congress Resolution and preparing for a new development cycle aligned with the spirit of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Son noted that Hanoi is undergoing a substantial transformation, improving its two-tier government model, pursuing green growth, digital transformation, creative industries, and awakening internal strengths. This demands leadership with strategic vision, the ability to inspire, and authentic reformist spirit.

He hopes the new chairman will fully embody the five leadership qualities required in this new era: vision, courage, responsibility, discipline, and aspiration.

“What the capital needs now is a leader with the courage to connect, coordinate, and drive systemic movement under an innovative spirit; someone with the ambition to make Hanoi a national leader in culture, knowledge economy, digital economy, and creative industries - sectors that will define Hanoi’s competitiveness for decades to come,” Son emphasized.

He also expressed hope that Trung will cultivate a leadership style that is close to the people, respects the people, and serves the people - aligned with Party General Secretary To Lam’s principle that "every policy must start from and aim for the happiness of the people."

“Hanoi is the heart of the country, home to 10 million residents with very real concerns - traffic congestion, pollution, overcrowded schools, lack of public spaces, heritage threats, and subpar urban civility. The chairman of this new era must be someone who listens, engages in dialogue, and acts swiftly and decisively. They must address problems not with slogans, but with data-driven policies, modern governance, and a true sense of responsibility to the people,” he said.

Evaluating Trung’s strengths, Bui Hoai Son described him as having a rare blend of modern governance thinking from his time in planning and investment, and hands-on local leadership from heading a major province like Nghe An. This dual perspective enables him to view culture, education, and creativity not just as social sectors, but as developmental assets and “soft engines” of Hanoi’s growth.

According to Son, investing in culture and education must be seen as strategic, on par with transportation or digital infrastructure. This is essential to translating the city’s Party Congress resolution - “culture is the spiritual foundation and driver of sustainable development” - into actionable policies.

With a solid foundation in public investment management and policymaking, the new chairman could introduce breakthrough reforms.

First, culture, education, and creativity must be prioritized as key investments, treated as “soft infrastructure” essential for Hanoi’s competitiveness in the knowledge economy.

Second, the city must develop modern public-private partnership models in culture and creativity, aligned with emerging legal frameworks for creative industries, digital economy, and night-time economy.

Third, Hanoi needs to establish creative spaces, cultural industry zones, and innovation hubs to attract young talent and grow a thriving creative economy.

“Hanoi has a millennia-old civilization, a vast cultural heritage, and a vibrant intellectual, artistic, and creative community. The question is: how effectively have we turned those values into soft power? Culture isn’t just for preservation - it should generate added value, shape the city’s brand, and directly contribute to Hanoi’s GRDP,” Son argued.

He proposed a synchronized strategy to build a cultural industry ecosystem spanning film, music, fashion, and cultural tourism. This includes modern heritage management, digital applications, development of the night-time and event-based economy, positioning Hanoi as the nation’s creative capital, and investing in the core identity that drives the city’s allure.

“When we revitalize heritage and create vibrant cultural experiences, Hanoi will attract youth, tourists, and investors alike. With his background in economics and policymaking, I believe the new chairman can convert this ‘soft power’ into real economic resources, making culture a pillar of Hanoi’s development,” said Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son.