Minh Hong is the only self-nominated candidate elected to the 12th National Assembly. Hong compares his work to the work of farmers; both must work hard to have bumper crops.
 |
Nguyen Minh Hong, 65, represents Nghe An province in the National Assembly. He is a medical doctor, a doctor of psychology and a writer.
Hong served for eleven years as an army doctor. He is currently the director of the Hanoi-based Centre for Research and Application of Medical Advancements and of the general hospital in Vinh City, a member of the Fatherland Front Central Committee of Nghe An province and a member of the NA’s Committee for Social Affairs.
|
VietNamNet: Has your life changed since you became a member of the National Assembly?
Nguyen Minh Hong: As an NA deputy, you have to be cautious in every word and action in daily life and at the office.
Previously, it was not a big deal if I drove faster than the speed limit, but since I became an NA deputy, I’ve told my driver to never break traffic laws.
In the past, if I was angry at work, I could shout at my subordinates, but not any more!
Previously, I could choose not to react to a letter asking for help from poor people but now, holding letters sent to “NA deputy Nguyen Minh Hong”, I have to answer and seek to help.
I have to be very serious in language and every action, even at home, otherwise, my wife will remind me (Hong smiles).
VietNamNet: It seems that you didn’t speak very much in the last NA meeting. Why?
 |
Hong: Actually, I still speak a lot and I will never tire of speaking at the NA.
I’m just a beginner there, so I have to take every good opportunity to speak. It is difficult to get a chance to speak at the NA. I have to go to the meeting hall early to register.
Sometimes several members of my delegation register to speak and we have to yield the chance to each other. For example, during the debate on the Law on Food Safety, four deputies of Nghe An province registered to speak but then they conceded their chance to me.
I see that many my opinions have been acknowledged. For example, I proposed to not use the phrases “love patients” but “whole-heartedly serve patients” in the draft Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. When the bill was approved, I saw it was changed as I suggested.
VietNamNet: You speak succinctly at NA sessions and you didn’t have to ask for more time. What is your secret?
Nguyen Minh Hong: I don’t know about others but in my case, I practice what I plan to say up to ten times at home. I spoke alone in the bathroom and timed myself. If my speech was more than 7 minutes, I would cut it down to give time to other deputies.
VietNamNet: As a writer, do you write anything about the NA?
Nguyen Minh Hong: I wish to write a short story about the responsibility of NA deputies. It would be a funny story. For example, an NA deputy who is caught speeding. The police officer who stops him says: “You are an NA deputy, so you should set an example.” It is not very easy to be an NA deputy.
VietNamNet: Do you plan to run for another term?
Nguyen Minh Hong: I strongly believe that in the next election, there will have many more self-nominated candidates to the NA. People who really want to be legislators should have the chance to serve. After this session, I will retire, like an old soldier who’s served his time on the battlefield.
Thank you for your time with VietNamNet!
Cao Nhat
Related news:
- “I’m learning all the time” – Deputy Do Manh Hung
- “I never thought I would be a deputy”
- “A deputy can’t hide from the people’s eyes”
- “Five Elements” to vie with “Rock’n Roll” at Danang firework fest
- “Magic” trade “conjures” Dalat potatoes from China
