Feature: Expectations run high among Vietnamese for new leadership ahead of party congress

Vietnamese people have high hopes for the country's new leadership as the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) draws closer.

"The Vietnamese people, myself in particular, expect that the national party congress will elect wise leaders to guide the country in catching up with other developed countries in the ASEAN region as well as in the world," Nguyen Tien Dung, a 55-year-old Hanoi citizen told Xinhua.

The 12th National Congress of the CPV is scheduled to be held from Jan. 20 to Jan. 28 in the capital city of Hanoi. The 12th national party congress will produce a new Politburo and Secretariat of the CPVCC, which will pave the way for the election of the country's new leadership, including the four key positions of CPV General Secretary, State President, Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Assembly.

Spending more time recently watching information about the 12th national party congress on TV and in the press, Nguyen Lan, an 80-year-old Hanoi citizen told Xinhua, "All the people expect to live in a happy and peaceful country, as do I."

"Information about the national party congress has been broadcast a lot in recent days and I have learned that there are specific criteria for the election of personnel. I think that they will elect those with talent, virtue and there will be more dynamic leaders," Lan, who is a retired teacher, said.

"I hope that the new leadership will comprise younger faces with real talent to lead the country. I am very eager and look forward to seeing the new faces of the country's leadership. I have really high expectations for the new leadership," Dung, who works in tourism sector, said.

He went on to say that he expects the new leaders to pay more attention to investment for healthcare and on education sectors, among others, to benefit the people.

Similarly, Do Van Nam, a 25-year-old salesperson from Vietnam's northern Vinh Phuc province, told Xinhua that "As the national party congress is approaching, being a citizen, I expect that the future leadership will help lead the country to develop further and for the better."

"I hope that the four new leaders will maintain harmony with each others to better run the country. I also hope that they will take more care of the people and the country," Nam said.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is rushing to prepare for the 12th national party congress with flowers and illuminations along the streets. As many as 1,510 delegates representing over 4.5 million Vietnamese communist party members will convene at the National Convention Center in Hanoi for the 12th national party congress.

During the nine-day event, participants will elect 200 members of the CPV Central Committee, including 180 official and 20 alternate members.

According to CPV officials, preparation for the 12th national party congress, including that of personnels' plans and documents to be submitted to the congress, has almost been completed.

The congress will be held under the theme of establishing a transparent and powerful party; fostering national unity; simultaneously and comprehensively boosting reform; resolutely defending the nation and maintaining peace and stability, while striving to soon turn Vietnam into a modern industrialized country.

"I expect that the new leadership will work for the good of the people and lead with wisdom and care for the nation. That is what I hope for," Lap, a 50-year-old gardener, told Xinhua. Endit