Proposal for different images on Vn. currency faces controversy

Selecting images for Vietnamese currency is decided by the Politburo.

Before the sixth session of the 13th National Assembly, the SBV sought voters’ opinions for monetary policies, in which, voters in Long An Province recommended that besides printing the image of Late President Ho Chi Minh, on high-value notes, the SBV should print the images of other leaders who made great contributions to national independence on the remaining notes.

On the sidelines of the NA meeting on October 21, speaking with a DTiNews reporter about this proposal, NA Deputy and Historian, Duong Trung Quoc, said, “It's not a bad idea in principal but the selection of those to be represented on the currency must be discussed." To date, only the image of the late President, Ho Chi Minh is on the national currency. Therefore, the change must have the peoples' approval.”

Meanwhile, Economist Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong said it's a good idea, however, it needs the consideration of management agencies because the criteria which define a person who has made great contributions to the country can change in different times.

“If the choice is based on fixed criteria, comparisons that might cause concern will obviously take place. Additionally, it is quite costly to change the design of Vietnamese currency so I think we should publish a summary record to commemorate these people or use their names for roads, bridges etc. Only the images of one or two people should appear on the currency,” Phong said.

Economist Bui Kien Thanh said that in the context of the current economic downturn, with the bankruptcy of thousands of businesses, the government should spend the state budget to support them, instead of thinking about the costly exercise of printing new money.

Earlier, replying to the voters in Long An Province, the SBV said, our currency is a national symbol which conveys national values and other messages to users. Thus, only images of important people or important events from history should be selected and in Vietnam, this is decided by the Politburo.

According to the SBV, the front side of the currency should show the image of the late President Ho Chi Minh who is a national hero and a world cultural icon. His image has justifiably been used since 1945, while on the other side, images of Vietnamese people during the national protection and construction period, as well as the country’s natural landscapes and cultural relics, are favoured.