(VOVworld)- The third session of the 13^th National Assembly opened in Hanoi today to discuss measures tackling socio-economic issues and exercising supreme supervision. Broadcast live on Vietnam Television and Radio the Voice of Vietnam, the opening session saw the presence of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, and many senior party and state leaders. All the leaders paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum before the meeting began.

The NA's third session opens on May 21st

Addressing the opening session, NA chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stated that delegates will hear additional reports on the implementation of the socio-economic development plans and state budget for 2011 and the state budget allocation for the first months of this year. They will discuss the government economic restructuring proposal, approve the state budget balance for 2010, and make decisions about a number of tax measures to ease difficulties for businesses and individuals for this year. NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung addressed the event: "At this session, cabinet members are expected to adopt 13 draft laws and two draft resolutions. This includes the law on prevention of money laundering, the law on handling administrative violations, the revised law on Natural Water Resources, the Law on the Sea…, the Resolution on Law and Ordinance making Program 2013, and the Resolution on renovations and reforms to improve the efficiency of the National Assembly. Deputies will comment on another six draft laws. The NA Standing Committee urged deputies to contribute as many opinions as possible to make this session a success."

Deputies heard reports presented by President of the Fatherland Front Central Committee Huynh Dam on voters’ opinions and concerns. They also heard appraisal reports on the implementation of the socio-economic plan and state budget for 2011 and for the first quarter of this year.

In the afternoon session, deputies listened to the Minister of Planning and Investment’s report on economic restructuring proposal. The plan initiated a dozen of solution groups, covering commercial banks, securities market, public investment and state owned enterprises. Minister Bui Quang Vinh emphasized on the need for economic restructuring: “The Vietnamese economy has faced adverse impact from the global economic crisis and recession as well as the European debt problem. This has worsened weaknesses in the economy and development growth model. Economic restructuring and growth model transition have become an urgent issue.”

Head of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee Nguyen Van Giau said the economic restructuring is in line with the Party and National Assembly’s guidelines. Giau said: “Building the market economy is urgent to satisfy Vietnam’s commitment at the WTO. This has to be completed by December 2018 so that Vietnam will no longer be treated as a non-market economy in international trade. This has to be reflected in the proposal.”

The on-going National Assembly session has captured public attention. Voter Nguyen Thi Hoa from Ho Chi Minh City expects initiatives to help enterprises overcome difficulties. She said:“I hope that the National Assembly will issue solutions to help the business community promote production for employment. This will improve the public’s living standards and inject trust on the State.”

Voter Pham Hong Sinh from the central highlands city of Buon Ma Thuot calls for measures to create more jobs and ensure a solid social welfare network. Sinh said: “The National Assembly should care more for traffic safety. Education and communications must play a key role while road repair and upgrade should continue.”