Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City joined young people on the first day of 2026 to celebrate the city’s most outstanding young citizens and to call for a deeper commitment to civic service and innovation as the metropolis enters a new phase of development.
Senior officials present included Secretary of the City Party Committee Trần Lưu Quang, Central Youth Union Secretary Nguyễn Phạm Duy Trang, Permanent Deputy Secretary Lê Quốc Phong, Deputy Secretary Văn Thị Bạch Tuyết and Chairman of the City People’s Council Võ Văn Minh. They praised the 12 individuals recognised in the annual “Outstanding Young Citizens of Ho Chi Minh City” awards for their achievements and service.
Ho Chi Minh City young leaders drive innovation and public service
The honoured group represents a wide range of fields. The city highlighted young biomedical materials researcher Mai Ngọc Xuân Đạt for projects with clear applications to community health, and student Võ Ngọc Minh Anh for practical artificial intelligence solutions applied to education and daily life. Young doctor Nròng K’Duy Py was recognised for improving clinical care with innovative practices, while entrepreneur Trần Tài linked high‑tech agriculture with social welfare and environmental sustainability.
Security and public safety were represented by police officers Trịnh Hải Thắng and Nguyễn Văn Trường, both commended for operations that helped maintain public order. Education and youth leadership featured prominently, with figures such as Đỗ Tiến Đạt and Đoàn Thị Thu Chung noted for their sustained contribution to training and mentoring the next generation.
The cultural and sporting life of the city was also on display. Athletes Nguyễn Tứ Cường and Nguyễn Tấn Sang were celebrated for sporting success, while public personalities including beauty queen Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc and singer Nguyễn Thị Duyên Quỳnh were recognised for using the arts to promote patriotism and social values.
Programme marks two decades of nurturing youth talent
Chairman Võ Văn Minh said the city’s recent administrative merger presents both opportunity and challenge and underlined the need for a capable, creative youth workforce. He described the award not as an endpoint but as the start of a longer journey of service to the city.
Now in its 20th year, the citizens’ awards programme aims to identify, nurture and connect young leaders who can contribute directly to solving urban problems. Former Council Chair Phạm Phương Thảo expressed pride in the maturation of the city’s young cadres and urged laureates to continue improving themselves to match public trust.
Recipients spoke of personal motivation and collective duty. A deputy headteacher who was among earlier laureates recalled how early recognition amplified a story of resilience and inspired wider social support. Athletes and healthcare workers said the title strengthened their resolve to continue training and to prioritise public health and community service.
Officials and winners alike tied the awards to the broader slogan adopted at the recent Youth Union congress: “Patriotism, Solidarity, Initiative, Creativity, Integration,” noting that each honouree represents one element of that ethos. As Ho Chi Minh City moves into a new stage of urban development, the city’s leadership is counting on these young citizens to help translate ambition into measurable progress.
Key Takeaways:
- Ho Chi Minh City honoured 12 outstanding young citizens for innovation, public service and community leadership.
- The awards highlight contributions across science, healthcare, AI, agriculture, security, education and the arts.
- Officials stressed the role of young talent in post‑merger city development and long‑term civic contribution.
- The program, running for more than 20 years, aims to identify and nurture core youth leaders for the city’s challenges.
