(VOVworld)- The 11th and final session of the 13th National Assembly has just concluded a vibrant and impressive legislative term that set new records and made significant changes. National Assembly deputy Vu Hai, who is also Vice President of Radio the Voice of Vietnam, wrote an article titled “13th National Assembly: Responsibility, democracy and impression”.
 |
| National Assembly deputy and Vice President of Radio the Voice of Vietnam Vu Hai |
In the context of complicated developments in the region and the world and domestic opportunities and challenges, the 13th National Assembly has responsibly undertaken a huge amount of work relating to constitution and law building, deciding key national issues and oversight activities.
Legislation, oversight and deciding key national issues
The 13th National Assembly approved 107 laws and codes, a record number. (The 12th National Assembly approved 67 laws and codes, the 11th National Assembly 84). In addition to a wide range of laws concerning the people’s livelihoods such as the amended civil code, the amended criminal code, the amended land law, and the amended press law, the current National Assembly has completed the 2013 Constitution. The Constitution continues to ensure protection of human rights, and the fundamental rights and obligations of citizens, clarifies the principles of unified state power under which state agencies assign tasks, coordinate, and check each other in exercising legislative, executive and judicial rights. The Constitution calls for continued refinement of the socialist-oriented market economy mechanism and creates crucial legal political foundations for the Party, people and army to successfully implement the goals of national construction and defense and international integration. The Constitution reflects comprehensive political and economic reform, upholding national unity under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The 13th National Assembly has adopted major, more practical resolutions on curbing inflation, stabilizing the macro-economy, ensuring social welfare and restructuring the economy. Detailed goals and tasks have been set to improve the performance of legislative, executive, and judicial agencies. The National Assembly has also discussed and stressed the need to invest in Long Thanh international airport, saying the project is of national significance and important for socio-economic development of the southern region and the whole country.
The current National Assembly has undertaken numerous oversight activities, ranging from macro-economic issues to public welfare issues such as hydro power plant planning, investment for agriculture, farmers and rural areas, and reducing waste. Thanks to National Assembly oversight, shortcomings and limitations of branches and agencies have been detected. Petitions from voters and National Assembly deputies have been settled, helping to consolidate the people’s trust in the Party’s leadership and the State’s management. Q&A has been conducted and broadcast live not only at plenary sessions but also by the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Ethnic Council and other committees.
The National Assembly hosted the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU132), the biggest multilateral meeting ever held in Vietnam. Hosting the event demonstrated the Vietnamese National Assembly’s pro-activeness in international integration, not only for national interests but also for world peace, cooperation and development.
Approving National Assembly, State, government senior personnel
The 13th National Assembly was special because it twice elected and approved senior posts in the National Assembly, State and government. For the first time in its 70-year history, the Vietnamese legislature has a Chairwoman, Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. According to the 2013 Constitution, the Chairperson of the NA, the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court are sworn in after being elected. And this is also the first time that the NA has conducted a vote of confidence for high-ranking officials elected by the NA, motivating them to constantly improve their performance.
Despite its achievements, some things remain incomplete. The program of law and ordinance building needs to be regularly adjusted, because some laws are unpractical or infeasible. The methods of debate should be improved so that NA deputies can express their opinions on contentious issues and reach consensus.
The 13th National Assembly is coming to an end with mixed emotions, topped by excitement and belief in the future of the nation and high expectations for a new government that is capable of fighting corruption and waste, improving the people’s material and spiritual lives, and resolutely defending national independence and territorial integrity. In a spirit of responsibility, unity, democracy, wisdom and reform, the National Assembly and each deputy, whether reelected or not and whatever position they are in, will continue to contribute their efforts and energy to building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.