The 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly was solemnly opened.

Attending the opening session of the meeting were General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Standing Member of the Secretariat and Head of the Central Organization Department Truong Thi Mai; and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien.

Party and State leaders, the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and National Assembly delegates laid wreaths and paid respects at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Quochoi.vn

On the National Assembly side were National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong; members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; heads and deputy heads of delegations, and National Assembly deputies from 63 delegations of the National Assembly of provinces and centrally-administered cities.

The delegation of National Assembly deputies from Nghe An province, consisting of 13 delegates led by Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council - attended the meeting.

Before the opening of the session, at 7:15 a.m., leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, and National Assembly delegates laid wreaths and paid respects at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.

At 8:00 AM, the National Assembly held its preliminary session. During the session, National Assembly deputies listened to a speech by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; and heard a report from Bui Van Cuong, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Secretary General of the National Assembly, and Head of the National Assembly Office, on the acceptance, explanation, and revision of the proposed agenda for the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Following this, the National Assembly proceeded to discuss and vote on the agenda for the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly.

Overview of the opening session of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: Quang Khánh

At 9:00 AM this morning, the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly officially opened in the Dien Hong Hall of the National Assembly Building. The session is divided into two phases; phase 1 from May 22nd to June 10th; and phase 2 from June 19th to June 24th. It is expected that during the 23 working days, the National Assembly will consider and decide on important issues.

Specifically, regarding legislative work, the National Assembly will consider and pass eight draft laws, including: the Law on Consumer Rights Protection (amended); the Law on Bidding (amended); the Law on Prices (amended); the Law on Electronic Transactions (amended); the Law on Cooperatives (amended); the Law on Civil Defense; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on the People's Police; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Party and State leaders and former leaders attend the opening session of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: Quang Khánh

The National Assembly will also consider and approve three draft resolutions, including: a Resolution on the Program for drafting laws and ordinances in 2024, adjusting the Program for drafting laws and ordinances in 2023; a Resolution amending and supplementing Resolution No. 85/2014/QH13 dated November 28, 2014, on taking votes of confidence and no-confidence votes for those holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly and People's Councils; and a Resolution of the National Assembly on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.

The National Assembly will also consider several draft laws, particularly the amended Land Law. Also on the agenda, the National Assembly will review socio-economic issues, the state budget, oversight, other important matters, and personnel matters within its jurisdiction.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivers the opening speech at the session. Photo: Quang Khanh

In his opening remarks, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized that the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly, taking place immediately after the successful mid-term meeting of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is a session of significant importance in terms of legislative work, supreme supervision, and making decisions on important national issues.

The Chairman of the National Assembly emphasized that the consideration and promulgation of draft laws at this session are of great importance in resolving practical difficulties and shortcomings, creating synchronization and uniformity with the legal system, especially with the amended Land Law, as well as meeting the requirements of digital transformation, ensuring national security and defense, reforming administrative procedures, enhancing the quality of governance and management of credit institutions, and perfecting the legal framework for handling bad debts of credit institutions.

National Assembly delegates from Nghe An province at the opening session of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: Quang Khanh

Former leaders of the Party and State, and National Assembly delegates at the opening session of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: Quang Khánh

The Chairman of the National Assembly requested that National Assembly deputies dedicate time to studying and thoroughly discussing the projects and drafts, assessing their consistency and conformity with the Constitution and the Party's guidelines and policies, and carefully considering the rationality, feasibility, and impact of the proposed new policies. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring transparency, strictness, and preventing loopholes for negative behaviors, corruption, group interests, and parochial interests. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure stability and consistency in the regulations of each project and draft, as well as the consistency and synchronization of the legal system, contributing to the improvement of the development institution, promoting and creating new impetus, and paving the way for innovation and sustainable development.

Thanh Duy