NA’s 9th session set to make landmark institutional changes

The 9th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) opened in Hanoi on May 5 morning, marking a historic meeting that will usher the nation into an era of modernisation, digitalisation, and sustainable development.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that the session, spanning 37 days in two phases, will address the largest workload in the NA’s history, including matters of constitutional amendment, legislation, supreme supervision, and the nation’s critical issues.

Legislators will look into and adopt a resolution amending and supplementing several articles to the Constitution 2013, the top legislator said, describing this a strategic task of both political and legal significance to institutionalise the Party’s major policies, especially the reorganisation of the state apparatus towards a streamlined and efficient structure that is closer to the people and more responsive to reality.

The parliament will set up a constitutional amendment drafting committee and organise extensive public consultations for the revision of the draft resolution, which is scheduled to be passed by June 30 before taking effect on July 1, he said.

The law-making agenda comprises 54 bills and resolutions under consideration, with 34 bills and draft resolutions to be adopted and six draft laws deliberations. They cover such critical areas as state apparatus organisation, defence - security, justice, finance - budget, education, training, science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

At the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented a supplementary assessment report on the socio-economic development and state budget in 2024, along with updates on the performance of the socio-economic development and state budget tasks in early 2025, highlighting that all 15 major criteria for 2024 had been fulfilled or exceeded the set targets.

Regarding the performance of the socio-economic development and state budget tasks in early 2025, the Government leader reported that GDP growth reached 6.93% in Quarter 1, the highest in the same period from 2020 to 2025. The macro-economy has remained stable since the outset of the year, with inflation under control and major economic balances secured. State budget revenue reached over 944 trillion VND (36.36 billion USD), or 48% of the estimate and a year-on-year increase of 26.3%.

To achieve the ambitious growth target of 8% or higher in 2025, which would elevate Vietnam's economy to over 500 billion USD and raise per capita GDP to over 5,000 USD, PM Chinh called for drastic, harmonious, and effective implementation of all missions and solutions across sectors and localities. He particularly laid stress on the need to complete plans and effective negotiations with the US in the spirit of protecting Vietnam's legitimate rights and interests while promoting balanced and sustainable trade, without affecting the country's existing international agreements.

Chairman of the NA's Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai presented an assessment report, acknowledging the Government’s robust state budget management while highlighting areas requiring additional attention like VAT refunds, disbursement of non-state capital, and accountability for non-essential or delayed expenditure.

Meanwhile, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien conveyed voters’ concerns and recommendations, noting that competent agencies must promptly address issues in implementing the state apparatus streamlining revolution. He also called for actions against counterfeit goods, poor-quality products, and the use of unregistered SIM cards for identity theft and fraud.

Besides, the VFF Central Committee’s Presidium proposed that the Party and State launch nationwide patriotic emulation movements to mobilise all resources for national development during the era of the nation’s rise.

Chairman of the NA Committee for People's Aspirations and Supervision Duong Thanh Binh reported that 2,032 out of of 2,033 voters’ petitions from the previous session had been addressed. The NA and its agencies responded to all 38 petitions, while the Government, ministries and sectors addressed 1,946 of 1,947 petitions.

The NA Standing Committee suggested the amendments to the Constitution 2013 should focus on provisions related to the VFF and socio-political organisations, and regulations related to the implementation of a two-tier local administration model.

Following the opening session, NA deputies convened in groups to discuss the proposed amendments to the Constitution 2013 as well as the establishment of the constitutional amendment drafting committee.