Questioning at the 3rd Session: Meeting the expectations of voters and the people.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivers the closing remarks at the question-and-answer session. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

On the afternoon of June 9th, the National Assembly concluded the question-and-answer session of the 3rd Session of the 15th National Assembly in a democratic and frank atmosphere, with a high sense of responsibility and a constructive spirit, and achieved great success.

Clarify difficult and complex issues that need to be resolved soon.

At the 3rd Session, the National Assembly selected four areas for questioning: agriculture and rural development; finance; banking; and transportation. The questions focused on difficult and complex issues, relevant to real life, and of concern to voters and the public nationwide, who hoped for prompt resolution.

Regarding agriculture and rural development, the questions raised by delegates during the interpellation session focused on pressing issues such as: the prevalence of counterfeit fertilizers, pesticides, and animal feed; enhancing the value of Vietnamese agricultural products; controlling the prices of agricultural inputs; high-tech agricultural development models; building international markets for Vietnamese agricultural products; and the implementation of Resolution No. 67/ND-CP on some policies for fisheries development, creating favorable conditions for fishermen to borrow capital to build large-capacity vessels and venture further offshore for fishing.

Financial issues also heated up the parliamentary debate because this is a crucial area, related to managing the nation's finances and playing a vital role in the country's socio-economic development.

Delegates raised questions about many pressing issues, even very sensitive ones, that are attracting public attention and scrutiny from voters nationwide, such as: the operation of the capital market, securities, and corporate bonds; solutions to rectify and address violations, especially manipulation, price fixing, and the dissemination of distorted, unverified, and inaccurate information affecting the market; the recent issue of gifted vehicles; and the pricing of textbooks and gasoline.

In the questioning session related to the banking sector, delegates focused on issues such as: the implementation of National Assembly resolutions on restructuring credit institutions and handling weak commercial banks associated with bad debts; the situation and solutions to accelerate the implementation of Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 on fiscal and monetary policies supporting the economic and social recovery and development program under the state management responsibility of the State Bank of Vietnam; credit and interest rates for small and medium-sized enterprises; and the coordination of fiscal policy on controlling inflation and consolidating the macroeconomic foundation.

In the banking sector, the parliamentary session was lively as delegates raised questions related to the mechanism for granting annual credit limits to commercial banks; solutions to overcome difficulties for microfinance institutions; the current situation and solutions for preventing and combating illegal lending and high-tech crimes in the monetary and credit sectors; the management and control of credit in the areas of securities lending, real estate lending, and corporate bond issuance; and the legal framework for lending via websites...

In the group of issues related to transportation, the atmosphere of questioning and debate was lively as delegates eagerly asked questions and actively discussed the status of important national projects and transportation projects using state budget funds, most of which are behind schedule.

Delays in key transportation projects have increased total investment costs by 1.5 to 2.5 times or more compared to the initial investment, reducing investment efficiency. This section discusses the current situation and solutions for addressing outstanding issues in the investment, operation, and business of transportation projects under the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model...

Over the 2.5 days of the questioning session, 266 National Assembly deputies registered to participate; 131 deputies actually participated in the questioning session, including 34 deputies who asked questions to the Deputy Prime Minister; and 28 deputies engaged in debate to further clarify issues of concern to them.

National Assembly representative Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh from Ho Chi Minh City poses a question. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

Regarding the questions from National Assembly deputies who did not have time to ask them, and the 133 deputies who registered but were unable to ask their questions due to time constraints, the Speaker of the National Assembly requested that their questions be sent to the Prime Minister and members of the Government for written answers.

These are clearly pressing issues of life, which voters and the public are paying special attention to, as National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has stated: "Stay close to objective reality, listen to the pulse of life."

Democratic, frank, and direct.

Observing the 2.5 days of questioning, it's clear that all four areas were addressed frankly and directly by the delegates, with a spirit of exchange. The questions brought to the National Assembly by the delegates demonstrated the responsibility of those entrusted by the people to voice their aspirations. Through the questioning and answering process between delegates and ministers, the people can monitor and evaluate the competence of the ministers, and also assess the National Assembly delegates on issues of public concern.

On numerous occasions, the atmosphere in the National Assembly has been heated as National Assembly deputies have not hesitated to ask questions about issues that are causing public concern. These include the situation of "bumper harvests leading to price drops," the congestion of agricultural exports at border crossings in the North, which occurs regularly every year and causes significant economic and social losses; and issues surrounding "agriculture, farmers, and rural areas."

During the questioning session on financial issues, delegates relentlessly asked questions and actively debated with Minister Ho Duc Phoc about gasoline prices; gifted vehicles; and the Ministry of Finance's responsibility in managing the stock market, especially given the recent numerous violations in this market.

The frankness and democratic spirit in the parliament were clearly demonstrated when delegate Nguyen Van Than (Thai Binh), dissatisfied with the Minister's response, debated and stated: "I disagree with the Minister regarding gasoline and diesel prices."

According to the delegate: "Our economy is a socialist-oriented market economy, so excessive intervention in gasoline prices, in my opinion, is not operating in accordance with market prices. Let the price naturally fluctuate according to world prices; if we intervene, it should only be to a certain extent."

Representative Truong Trong Nghia (Ho Chi Minh City), when questioning solutions to prevent negative consequences from accumulating corporate bonds, frankly stated: "Have we been lax recently, and have the warnings from the Ministry of Finance, as the Minister mentioned, been ineffective?"

In response to the questions, the "commanders" of the sectors also clarified and explained the issues raised by the delegates. For example, in the financial sector, regarding issues related to enterprises after privatization, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc not only answered the questions but also offered suggestions and solutions to resolve the "bottleneck" related to land in the privatization of state-owned enterprises - the root cause of many violations that have occurred in the past.

The Minister proposed solutions to ensure that post-privatization enterprises operate within their approved business lines, and if they no longer need the land, they must return it to the State to prevent the takeover of public land under the guise of privatization... Regarding solutions to overcome difficulties and accelerate the slow pace of privatization and divestment in the coming period, Minister Ho Duc Phoc stated that the Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and other ministries and agencies to amend Decree 32/2018/ND-CP.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc answers questions. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

The ministers involved, whether they were answering questions for the first time like Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong, and Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, or those with extensive experience, were all present.Answering questionsMinister of Transport Nguyen Van The, for example, demonstrated strong leadership, a firm grasp of the realities of the sector under his responsibility, and a frank, straightforward approach to many difficult and complex issues; including those that had persisted through many sessions, which were answered relatively comprehensively.

Along with the Ministers primarily responsible for answering questions, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Deputy Prime Ministers Le Minh Khai and Le Van Thanh, as well as Ministers of the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Science and Technology, Transport, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, Labour-Invalids and Social Affairs, Information and Communications, Public Security, the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, the Inspector General of the Government, the State Auditor General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, and the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy, also participated in answering questions, providing explanations, and clarifying many issues of concern to National Assembly deputies.

The responses to the questions were delivered with a high sense of responsibility and seriousness, not avoiding difficult and complex issues. They explained and clarified many issues raised by delegates during the questioning process, while also acknowledging responsibility for existing shortcomings and limitations within their respective sectors and fields, and making commitments to overcome them in order to create positive changes in the future.

Implement comprehensive solutions to create positive change.

The question-and-answer session received approval and high praise from National Assembly deputies, as well as voters and the people nationwide. In his role as Chairman of the National Assembly, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received high praise from National Assembly deputies and voters.

Representative Pham Thi Thanh Mai (Hanoi) stated that the issues of public concern were closely monitored by the National Assembly Chair, leading to appropriate suggestions that enabled ministers to provide accurate and relevant answers, much to the satisfaction of the National Assembly representatives. She expressed hope that after the questioning session, the key issues would be resolved based on the specific solutions proposed by the heads of the respective ministries.

Pay close attention to and follow the question-and-answer session at3rd SessionAccording to voter Nguyen Huu Lam, a veteran from Ward 15, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City: "During the questioning sessions, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue conducted the proceedings very scientifically, flexibly, and thoroughly."

After each response to the question, the Chairperson summarized the content of the question and answer, highlighting the points where the Government members had not adequately addressed the concerns raised by the National Assembly deputies, and subsequently suggesting additional responses.

"The questioning, debate, and answering of questions from members of the Government and heads of relevant ministries and agencies is a correct and very positive activity of the National Assembly, helping to affirm the responsibility of the National Assembly as the supreme legislative body and demonstrating the role and responsibility of the National Assembly to voters nationwide," voter Nguyen Huu Lam emphasized.

Voter Duong Ngoc An, residing in Ward 6, Tan An City, Long An Province, commented that the atmosphere during the question-and-answer session was very serious. The questions from National Assembly deputies were focused. The ministers' answers were clear and comprehensive.

Voter Nguyen Van Hieu from Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh city, Bac Ninh province, said that the presiding officer conducted the proceedings very flexibly, allocating time for questions and answers appropriately. In particular, for important questions, the National Assembly Chairman emphasized that the heads of relevant ministries should carefully research and provide satisfactory answers to the delegates and voters.

According to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, throughquestioning sessionThis shows that the National Assembly delegates have fully grasped the principles regarding the manner of asking and answering questions, as well as the manner of exchange and debate, ensuring compliance with the prescribed time limits and demonstrating a high sense of responsibility.

Furthermore, drawing from their practical experience, National Assembly deputies posed questions that closely reflected the realities of life and the aspirations of voters and the people. Their questions were concise, specific, clear, and avoided repetition. They engaged in frank and constructive dialogue and debate, making maximum and effective use of time for questioning and clarifying issues.

The Speaker of the National Assembly also emphasized that the proceedings of this questioning session showed that the selected topics for questioning and answering were correct and addressed issues that have persisted for many years without being fully and fundamentally resolved, as well as many newly arising issues. Therefore, it met the requirements and expectations of voters, the people, and National Assembly deputies. The results of the questioning and answering session demonstrated the open-mindedness, seriousness, and high responsibility of the Government, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Ministers, and the Ministers and Heads of Departments in answering the questions.

Besides the achievements, there are still many shortcomings, limitations, and challenges that require strong determination and breakthrough solutions to overcome in the coming time. Following this session and this meeting, the National Assembly requests the Government, all levels, and sectors to implement comprehensive solutions to further improve performance and create positive and clear changes regarding the issues raised in the questioning session, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue stated.