The leader devoted a lot of enthusiasm and attention to the activities of the NA in his lifetime.
On June 26, 2006, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong assumed the position of NA Chairman (at the end of the 11th tenure). Although his first term was just over a year, the NA leader closely led and directed it to complete its tasks for the entire term, building on the work of his predecessor.
In that one year, the NA passed 13 laws and 11 resolutions, including three historical ones which ratified the Protocol of Accession of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) and those on the Planning Scheme for the construction of the National Assembly Building and the development of the national key project on building a gas – power – fertiliser complex in southern Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.
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Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong and ethnic people in Ngoc Phung commune, Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province in January 2010 (Photo: VNA)
Meanwhile, 67 laws and 13 resolutions were passed in the 12th NA, including many laws that laid the foundation for fighting corruption and other negative phenomena later on, such as the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Penal Code, and the Law on civil judgment enforcement.
According to Dr. Bui Ngoc Thanh, former Chairman of the NA Office, whatever the size of the tasks was, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong always directed thorough preparation down to the smallest details.
Summarising the activities of the 11th NA, the top legislator particularly emphasised two important contents - the results of organising activities of the NA and lessons learned. So far, while the results of each term may vary, the seven lessons learned from the 11th term remain entirely relevant for all subsequent terms.
Accordingly, all activities of the NA must closely follow the Party's comprehensive renewal policy. The NA sessions must be conducted democratically and frankly, with a constructive spirit. The quality and effectiveness of the NA's functions largely depend on the activities of its committees and deputies, especially those who work on a full-time basis.
In legislative activities, promulgating many laws and ordinances is very important, but more importantly those must be of high quality, be consistent with reality, and ensure feasibility. In parliamentary supervision activities, the more the legal basis, the more effective and smooth the process will be. Former Deputy Chairman of the NA’s National Defence and Security Committee Le Viet Truong said he always remembers and is deeply impressed by the gentle yet profound reminder of the Chairman of the 12th NA Nguyen Phu Trong to NA deputies, which goes: “Playing your role correctly, master your scripts.”
Reality shows that, in the activities of the NA, its agencies, and the NA delegations, at times and in some places, signs of " bureaucratisation" of activities of elected bodies have appeared. The phenomenon has impacted the quality of criticism, objectivity, and equality in verification, supervision, consideration, and decision-making on important issues of the country, especially those related to budget allocation.
With the sensitivity of an experienced journalist, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong quickly recognised these seemingly "normal" signs, understanding that if not addressed in time, their consequences could be very serious. Therefore, on many occasions and in direct interactions with the Standing Board of the National Defence and Security Committee of the NA, Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong emphasised the need to follow these words.
Vice Chairwoman of the NA’s Council for Ethnic Affairs Tran Thi Hoa Ry said she is very impressed with the leadership and direction of Trong as Chairman of the NA from June 2006 to early July 2011. She highlighted his efforts in renovating and improving the quality and effectiveness of the legislative body’s activities, and in strengthening its role and functions in making comprehensive and overarching decisions on major issues of the country.
According to her, through the six years as NA Chairman, over two years as State President, and three consecutive terms as the Party General Secretary, along with the Party Central Committee, the NA Standing Committee, various committees of the NA and NA deputies, Nguyen Phu Trong made significant contributions to improving the quality and effectiveness of the National Assembly's activities, leaving important hallmarks.
Supervision activities were strengthened with a combination of various comprehensive methods and close coordination among the NA’s bodies, focusing on pressing issues in daily life.
Notably, decisions on important issues of the country related to socio-economic development, state budgets, and national projects have been increasingly improved in quality, closely aligning with and promptly addressing the demands of real situations.
The NA sessions have truly become compelling political events, with discussions on draft laws, socio-economic issues; and the quality of questioning and answering (Q&A) sessions being vibrant and passionate. The NA’s activities have helped raise public awareness of the building of socialist democracy, thus strengthening the connection between the people and the Party and State, and creating an image of dynamism and democracy within the socialist political system in the country, Ry said.
