Vietnamese Lawmaker Garners Attention with Unconventional Proposals

Vietnamese National Assembly member Nguyen Van Canh has once again captured public attention with a series of unique proposals presented during recent parliamentary sessions. Notably, his suggestions to teach children etiquette towards elders from the first grade and to establish rest stops for motorbike delivery riders along major urban roads, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and accidents, have sparked lively debate among the public. While these proposals were made during the National Assembly's session on the Urban Development Law in August, they were not ultimately incorporated into the final legislation but have generated significant discussion. Nguyen Van Canh is a veteran legislator, having served four consecutive terms in the National Assembly since the 13th term in 2011. Born in 1977, he entered parliament as a young representative from the private business sector and as an independent. However, his subsequent career path took an unconventional turn. Within a year of becoming a lawmaker, he joined the Communist Party and enrolled in advanced political theory courses, despite not holding a government official position. In 2013, Mr. Canh, then a business owner, applied for a position at the Binh Dinh Provincial National Assembly and People's Council Office without undergoing a competitive examination. He was hired just six days later. Furthermore, he was promoted to Deputy Head of the Office in just over three months, and to Head of the Office about a month after that, reaching a position equivalent to a provincial department director within less than six months of his application. This rapid promotion, described by some as "meteoric," raised numerous questions and led to formal complaints. The Central Inspection Committee subsequently instructed the Binh Dinh Provincial Party Committee to address shortcomings in the appointment of unqualified officials, citing Mr. Nguyen Van Canh's case as an example. Nguyen Van Thien, the Provincial Party Secretary of Binh Dinh from 2010-2015, later acknowledged that there were issues with initial recruitment and that Mr. Canh's appointment was based on his participation in political theory studies and recommendations from party organizations. Mr. Nguyen Van Canh has continued his legislative work, presenting various proposals. In 2017, he suggested delaying the start of working hours for administrative, public service, and public education sectors to 8:30 AM, arguing it could alleviate traffic jams, save energy, and reduce the burden on children. In 2018, he advocated for the auctioning of vehicle license plates, a proposal that came into effect in July 2023 and has since generated substantial revenue for the state budget. However, other initiatives, such as establishing a law to prevent treason, proposing "housing exchange" support for metro users, and suggesting the burning of credit card-style paper money instead of traditional paper offerings, have faced mixed reactions regarding their feasibility and effectiveness. These proposals frequently become major topics on social media, cementing Mr. Nguyen Van Canh's reputation as a figure who "stirs up debate." His distinctive perspective and actions serve as an example of diverse opinion expression within Vietnam's political and social landscape, and he is likely to remain a subject of interest.