Major policies rooted in dynamic realities

The 8th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) concluded with impressive highlights, particularly its substantial focus on legislative work characterised by a strong spirit of innovation in lawmaking. Voters and the broader public nationwide have acknowledged this progress with optimism, expressing expectations and trust in the NA’s proactive and positive advancements.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man talks with delegates attending the 20th session of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council. (Photo: DUY LINH)
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man talks with delegates attending the 20th session of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council. (Photo: DUY LINH)

Close to comrades, compatriots

Vietnam is entering a new era — the era of the nation’s rise. This context demands new theories, fresh perspectives, innovative strategies, and updated methods to address emerging tasks. The decisive guidance of General Secretary To Lam, which serves as a "compass" for the entire Party, military, and people, has inspired dynamic parliamentary activities and resonated with each NA deputy.

The work of lawmaking and institutional refinement now faces the pressing requirement for new thinking and approaches. This spirit was immediately reflected during the 8th session of the NA. Collaborating closely with the government and working tirelessly, even through weekends, the NA and its members finalised a series of critical decisions. These measures address institutional and legal bottlenecks, laying the groundwork for breakthrough development in the nation's next phase.

Since late September, the fresh breeze of guidance and direction from the Party and State leaders has been vividly conveyed during the meetings of the NA Chairman and his delegation with voters, residents, and local officials in Nga Bay, Phung Hiep, Chau Thanh, and surrounding areas in Hau Giang Province. These gatherings were filled with the warm sentiments from people in the Mekong River Delta province, a land steeped in revolutionary tradition. In the past, Hau Giang was a vast region, but it has since been divided into three provinces and cities: Can Tho, Soc Trang and Hau Giang. This region shares much in common with other rural areas in the southwestern Mekong Delta, where people retain their characteristic straightforwardness and boundless generosity.

A wide range of pressing and practical issues, touching on daily life concerns such as children's education, healthcare, land compensation planning, worker policies, and trade union activities, were raised by the people. Broader topics were also discussed, including anti-corruption and anti-wastefulness efforts, the streamlining of personnel in the political system at the central, ministerial, and local levels, and the implementation of policies ensuring transparency and fairness. The delegation listened intently to these heartfelt concerns and aspirations from the local community.

From voters’ petitions related to health insurance, the NA chairman emphasised the commitment of the NA during its 8th session, which passed the amended Law on Health Insurance featuring many progressive provisions. "We must ensure fairness between service-based medical care and health insurance-based care, so people do not feel inconvenienced. The revised law must simplify administrative procedures to better serve people in medical examinations and treatments," he stated.

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh’s statement that "Anything beneficial to the people must be done with utmost effort; anything harmful to the people must be avoided at all costs", the chairman frequently reiterated this principle in discussions with NA deputies and government officials. This heartfelt message was echoed during his meeting with the warm-hearted residents in Hau Giang: "For the pressing issues raised by voters, we must address them in a thorough, fair, and compassionate manner."

“It is necessary to promptly resolve difficulties and bottlenecks. Issues that communes can resolve, let them address immediately; what districts can handle, they must act promptly; and what provinces can solve, they should act without delay, without waiting for central authorities.”

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man

Unblocking three "bottlenecks"

Welcoming the New Year 2025 with great anticipation, amidst a pivotal period for national transformation, the NA Chairman, other NA leaders, and all deputies are determined to swiftly translate Party policies, laws, and significant resolutions into practical solutions for the country's most urgent issues.

An overview of the 8th session of the 15th NA. (Photo: DUY LINH)

An overview of the 8th session of the 15th NA. (Photo: DUY LINH)

The success of the 8th session serves as a launching pad and a significant breakthrough for authorities at all levels and localities to resolve and address the three largest bottlenecks currently facing Vietnam: institutional frameworks, infrastructure, and human resources. Among these, the institutional framework is deemed the "bottleneck of bottlenecks".

Over the past year, voters and the people have closely observed and acknowledged the significant contributions from the NA for its decision on many critical issues. Clear evidence of reform, from mindset to action, has been widely recognised. A notable achievement is the National Assembly’s approval of seven laws and four key resolutions through expedited procedures in a single session. These new regulations have been hailed as groundbreaking policies that immediately address difficulties in investment, production, and business activities, accelerate public investment projects, and stimulate growth.

The National Assembly, representing the people, by the people, and for the people, continues to operate with a long-term vision, urgently constructing legal frameworks to address emerging issues and anticipate new trends in regional and global integration. The business community and economic and financial experts highly value the in-depth discussions and swift and decisive actions by the NA.

On public platforms and during recent interactions with voters, comrades, and people, the Chairman and leaders of the National Assembly have reaffirmed the critical importance of the ongoing revolution to streamline organisational structures and uphold the principles of thrift and anti-wastefulness. These efforts align with enhancing the quality and effectiveness of NA deputies in fulfilling their responsibilities. This commitment is seen as one of the “key pillars of the key pillars” in driving the NA’s continued innovation and ensuring its effective operation to meet the needs of the nation.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need for the entire country and political system to pay attention to and effectively implement the message of General Secretary To Lam in reality. This message, highlighting the era of the nation's rise, serves as a rallying call, urging the spirit of action, innovative thinking, and the courage to act and take responsibility for the common good of the Party, the people, and the army.

The NA leader stressed the importance of reforming the overall organisational model of the entire political system to the extent and scale of a revolution in organisational structure. He affirmed that the central agencies must lead by example, spearheading the restructuring efforts across the Party, the NA, the government, and various ministries and agencies. The ultimate goal is to reduce redundancies, eliminate inefficiencies, and move towards an organisational apparatus that operates with effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity, a pivotal step for modernising and streamlining the country's governance system.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends AIPA-45. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends AIPA-45. (Photo: VNA)

Before the year-end session, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man led a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attended the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) in Laos. Speaking at the National Convention Centre in the capital city of Vientiane, Chairman Tran Thanh Man delivered a significant address, conveying a pivotal message from the Vietnamese NA to international legislative leaders. The message emphasised that parliaments and legislative bodies worldwide must strive to revitalise traditional growth drivers, enhance harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive development, and place people at the centre as the focus, driving force, resource, and ultimate goal of all development efforts.

This spirit continues to resonate strongly, fostering a new mindset, fresh opportunities, determination, and motivations as the country embarks on a new era of growth and transformation.