Strongly innovate legislative work and unlock resources for development.

"Distinguished members of the National Assembly,

Distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, veteran revolutionaries, international guests, and delegates,

Dear fellow citizens, soldiers, and voters nationwide!

Today, the 15th National Assembly solemnly opens its 8th session. According to the program, this is the session with the largest workload since the beginning of the term and also the first session responsible for institutionalizing the Resolution of the 10th Central Committee Meeting of the 13th Party Congress, urgently putting the Party's policies into practice, resolving many other important issues of the country, creating the foundation and preparing in all aspects to bring the country into a new era – the era of the Vietnamese nation's resurgence.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I respectfully extend my greetings and best wishes for health, happiness, and success to the leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, the National Assembly delegates, distinguished guests, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and international organizations attending the opening session of the Session, as well as to all voters, the people, compatriots, soldiers throughout the country, and our compatriots abroad. I wish the Session great success.

Dear comrades and esteemed guests,

Recently, the 10th Plenum of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam concluded successfully; the Politburo and the Secretariat also organized nationwide conferences down to the grassroots level to disseminate and implement the Resolution of the 10th Central Committee Plenum. With a spirit of innovation, unity, and high consensus, the 10th Central Committee Plenum discussed and decided on many important issues; unified understanding and action to focus leadership and guidance on accelerating progress, achieving breakthroughs, and fulfilling the goals and tasks of the 13th Party Congress term; and preparing for the 14th Party Congress.

At the Conference, the Central Committee assessed: From the beginning of the 13th National Congress term to the present, the world and regional situation has undergone many complex developments, with some issues exceeding predictions and unprecedented, posing many great difficulties and challenges to the task of building and defending the Fatherland; the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a great loss, leaving immeasurable sorrow among the people and soldiers throughout the country.

In that challenging context, our Party demonstrated unwavering resilience, a unified will and action, promptly consolidating Party and State leadership with high consensus, thereby leading and directing the entire political system to strive and continue to achieve great and comprehensive achievements in all fields. The main goals and tasks for 2024 were basically completed and exceeded the set targets, with many positive highlights. Political and social stability was maintained; economic growth reached a high level compared to the region and the world; major balances were ensured (we increased wages without raising prices); and foreign investment attraction increased significantly. Culture and society continue to develop, and the material and spiritual lives of the people are increasingly better met (movements to eradicate hunger and poverty, eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, and support people in overcoming the consequences of Typhoon Yagi have demonstrated the good nature of our regime, the spirit of mutual assistance, national solidarity, and brotherhood strongly rekindled during difficult times). National defense and security potential has been strengthened, and the Fatherland is firmly protected; foreign relations continue to expand and be elevated, demonstrating Vietnam's proactive and positive contribution to world politics, the global economy, and human civilization. These important achievements have further consolidated the foundation, potential, position, and international prestige of the country over 40 years of reform, creating a new face, a new position, and new strength so that we can be self-reliant, confident, self-sufficient, and proud to lead the country into an era of progress in the future.

In the overall achievements of the country, the National Assembly in general, and the 15th National Assembly in particular, have made very important contributions. Over the past period, the National Assembly's activities have become more innovative, substantive, and effective. The National Assembly is increasingly fulfilling its role as the highest representative body of the people and the highest state power organ with three important functions: (i) In terms of legislation, from the beginning of the term to date, the National Assembly has passed 43 laws and more than 60 resolutions; the Standing Committee of the National Assembly has issued 45 resolutions and 3 ordinances. In this 8th session, the National Assembly is expected to continue to pass 15 draft laws, 3 resolutions, and give opinions on 13 draft laws, including 1 law amending 3 laws in the field of investment; (i) One law amends seven laws in the fields of finance and asset management, including very new draft laws that are in line with development trends such as the Data Law and the Digital Technology Industry Law, demonstrating the high sense of responsibility of the National Assembly and the Government in promptly implementing the directives of the 10th Central Committee Conference. These documents make an important contribution to perfecting the legal system, resolving difficulties and obstacles, overcoming bottlenecks, adjusting various aspects of socio-economic life, ensuring human rights and serving national development. (ii) The National Assembly's supervisory activities are constantly being improved, focusing on pressing issues of life, contributing to the improvement of policies and laws, ensuring discipline and order, and promoting State agencies to perform their tasks better. (iii) The National Assembly has worked alongside the Government to promptly decide on and issue many important policies and guidelines that have great significance for the socio-economic development of the country and for the well-being of the people, especially during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. (iv) The National Assembly's foreign relations have expanded with many outstanding activities, and the National Assembly has been elected to many important positions at major and prestigious forums around the world.

However, frankly speaking, there are still shortcomings and limitations in the organization and operation of the National Assembly that need to be addressed soon. Of the three biggest bottlenecks currently – institutions, infrastructure, and human resources – institutions are the "bottleneck" of "bottlenecks." The quality of lawmaking and refinement has not met practical requirements; some newly enacted laws have already required amendment; regulations are not truly synchronized, still overlapping, and many regulations are difficult to implement, hindering the loss and waste of resources; a truly favorable environment has not been created to attract resources from domestic and foreign investors and unlock resources from the people. Administrative procedures are still cumbersome, and online public services, although improved, are not yet convenient or seamless; the organization and implementation of laws and policies remain a weak point. Decentralization and delegation of power are not thorough, and responsibilities are not clearly defined; The restructuring and streamlining of the state administrative apparatus to ensure efficient and effective operation, reducing the number of administrative units and intermediate levels, remains inadequate. Some parts are still cumbersome, with overlapping legislative and executive functions, failing to truly meet the requirements for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management. Long-standing shortcomings and limitations need to be urgently addressed to prevent hindering development, causing waste, and missing opportunities for national development in the new era. This is the responsibility of the entire political system, but a very heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of the National Assembly, its agencies, and the Government.

Furthermore, our work has shown that hostile and reactionary forces are always thoroughly exploiting the process of building and perfecting institutions and laws to influence, manipulate, and even sabotage, identifying this as the "shortest" and "fastest" path to political transformation in Vietnam; various types of criminals and interest groups also seek every means to influence for their own gain. Without genuine wisdom, courage, and dedication to the common good, unsuitable institutions could create significant obstacles to the country's development.

Based on the issues mentioned above, in order to meet the requirements of national development in the new era, I respectfully propose that the National Assembly continue to strongly innovate its organization and operation in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW dated November 9, 2022, of the Sixth Plenum of the Central Committee of the 13th Party Congress on continuing to build and perfect the socialist rule of law state of Vietnam in the new period. In particular, I would like to emphasize three issues:

Firstly, vigorously innovate legislative work, including: (i) Transforming the mindset of lawmaking towards ensuring both state management requirements and encouraging creativity, unleashing all productive forces, and unlocking all resources for development. Management thinking should not be rigid; decisively abandon the "if you can't manage it, ban it" mentality. (ii) Law provisions must be stable and have long-term value; laws should only stipulate framework issues and principled issues; they don't need to be too long. Issues with constantly changing practical conditions should be left to the Government and localities to regulate to ensure flexibility in administration. Absolutely avoid the bureaucratization of the National Assembly's activities; avoid legalizing the provisions of Decrees and Circulars. (iii) Innovate the process of lawmaking and implementation. Closely follow reality, base your legal provisions on the specific context of Vietnam; learn from experience as you go; avoid haste, but also avoid perfectionism that could lead to missed opportunities; (iii) Focus on the people and businesses as the central subjects; regularly evaluate the effectiveness and quality of policies after their promulgation to promptly adjust shortcomings and contradictions, minimize losses and waste of resources; proactively identify and quickly resolve "bottlenecks" caused by legal regulations. (iv) Promote decentralization and delegation of power with the motto "local authorities decide, local authorities do, local authorities are responsible"; thoroughly reform administrative procedures, reduce compliance costs, and create the greatest convenience for people and businesses. (v) Focus on controlling power in lawmaking, tighten discipline and order, uphold responsibility, especially the responsibility of the head of the organization, and resolutely combat corruption and "group interests". (vi) Proactively, actively, and urgently build a legal framework for new issues and trends (especially those related to the 4.0 revolution, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green transformation, etc.) to create a legal framework for successfully implementing the digital transformation revolution and creating breakthroughs for national development in the coming years.

Secondly, we need to better perform the function of supreme oversight and decision-making on important national issues. It is necessary to promptly study and clearly define the methods and forms of supreme oversight by the National Assembly that are appropriate to practical realities, avoiding duplication with the activities of other state agencies and preventing waste. We must continue to improve the quality of questioning, explanations, and oversight of legal documents; paying attention to monitoring, reviewing, and urging the implementation of recommendations following oversight. We must innovate the decision-making process regarding the state budget to ensure its effectiveness, coupled with oversight of budget implementation, gradually replacing the issuance of resolutions with laws on finance and budget.

At this session, the workload regarding oversight and decision-making on important national issues is also very large, reflecting current realities and expectations from voters (such as assessing the socio-economic situation in 2024 and the tasks for socio-economic development, finance, and budget in 2025; conducting thematic oversight on "The implementation of policies on real estate market management and social housing development from 2015 to the end of 2023"; considering and deciding on the investment policy for the National Target Program on cultural development, investing in the North-South high-speed railway project, and establishing Hue City as a centrally-governed city...). Therefore, we request that the National Assembly and its members fulfill their roles and responsibilities in discussing and deciding on these important issues.

Thirdly, vigorously innovate the organization and operation of the National Assembly, ensuring effective and efficient operation; improve the quality and efficiency of the performance of duties and powers of National Assembly deputies, considering this as one of the key elements for reforming the National Assembly's activities. The activities of the National Assembly, its agencies, and its deputies must be "in the right role and well-prepared"; clearly define the functions, tasks, and relationships between agencies, especially those of the National Assembly and the Government, ensuring close and harmonious coordination in the national governance process. The National Assembly and its deputies need to be highly unified and exemplary, leading the way and making positive and important contributions to building the country's development institutions with a spirit of innovation and reform, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people; constantly cultivating and maintaining moral qualities, discipline, and order, and improving their professional skills and capabilities. Maintain close contact, truthfully reflect the opinions and suggestions of voters, and be subject to voter oversight. Always remember and diligently implement the great President Ho Chi Minh's instructions to National Assembly deputies: "You must strive to safeguard the independence of the Fatherland, strive to seek happiness for the people, and always remember and practice the saying: For the benefit of the nation, forget personal gain; for the common good, forget private gain." Organize and strengthen the National Assembly's Ethnic Council and its committees and agencies to ensure effective and efficient operation. Continue to expand and improve the effectiveness of the National Assembly's foreign relations, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's role and position in the international arena.

Dear comrades and esteemed guests,

The world is undergoing a period of epochal change, and the country stands at a historical threshold, entering a new era of national progress. The pressing realities of the nation present urgent issues that need addressing. The people are awaiting and expecting decisive policies from the Party, the State, and the National Assembly. I propose that the National Assembly, its agencies, and its members uphold the spirit of unity, responsibility, innovation, and breakthroughs to excellently fulfill their important responsibilities, contributing together with the entire Party, people, and army to successfully build a socialist Vietnam, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the world, as envisioned by the great President Ho Chi Minh and the aspirations of the entire nation.

Once again, I wish good health to the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front; the National Assembly delegates, distinguished guests, and all comrades.

Thank you very much!