2019 was the fourth year of the 14th National Assembly and the first preparatory year for Party congresses at all levels towards 13th National Party Congress. Along with the common goals from the whole Party, people and the army, the NA continued to operate more democratically and effectively, leaving deep impressions in the hearts of voters and the people.
1. Many important laws, which met the requirements for the country’s socio-economic development, were considered and approved by the NA.
In 2019, the NA passed 18 draft laws and codes with a notably high approval rating, including several draft laws receiving a 100% approval rate from deputies. The adopted laws and codes are very important legal basis that can promptly solve problems arising from day to day life situations; contribute to the rapid and sustainable socio-economic development; improve the quality of the people’s lives; respect, protect and ensure human rights, the basic rights and obligations of citizens; build progressively, have harmonious and stable labour relations; enhance the reform of state apparatus in a streamlined and effective manner; and reform the regime for cadres and civil servants as well as corruption prevent and control.
In particular, there were notable important policies that attract the great attention of voters including the increase of the retirement age to 62 for men and 60 for women (in normal working conditions) as well as the harsher sanctions and punishment for traffic violations, which prohibit drivers with traces of alcohol in their blood or breath in order to help contribute to reducing traffic accidents across the country. The development of a unified general education curriculum throughout the country with each subject having one or several textbooks; and a stricter punishment for violations caused by retired officials and civil servants during their working time; were also notable policies set last year, among others.
2. Supervisory activities continued to be improved.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc answers NA deputies' questions during the Q&A session on November 8. (Photo: NDO/Duy Linh)
In 2019, the NA continued to improve the efficiency of question-and-answer sessions. Many deputies debated with Government members and ministers on many issues. The openness, democracy, innovation and professionalism in question-and-answer events have attracted the attention of numerous people and voters.
Following the success of the NA’s re-questioning at its sixth session, last year, the NA Standing Committee for the first time put forward questions and answered questions on its implementation of resolutions on thematic supervision and conclusions from the beginning of the term to the end of 2018 for 15 ministers and leaders of the sectors. The feat showed the stability and comprehensiveness in the supervision of the NA, while highlighting the spirit and responsibility of the NA, NA bodies and deputies in monitoring and supervising supervised contents.
2019 was also the first year that thematic videos and images were used for the report of supervision results. The NA applied voice-to-text software during question-and-answer sessions, ensuring all questions were answered as well as helping the chairman formulate results easier.
3. The NA issued a Resolution on approval of the Master Plan on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
At its eighth session, the NA passed the Resolution No.88/2019/QH14, approving the Master Plan on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, for 2021-2030 period.
This was the first time in the 14 tenures, the NA has made a resolution on the policies for the socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas that were integrated into a national target programme on sustainability for the areas.
The resolution pointed out the criteria and focus points most in need of being prioritised. The national target was issued to avoid overlapping, duplication, loss, waste and transparency for inspection, examination and supervision during the process of implementation. The resolution has also created breakthroughs for ethnic-related policies to exploit untapped potential and advantages for the areas and localities; as well as promoted the self-reliance spirit of the ethnic minority people and gradually narrowed the gap of socio-economic development between the above areas and others in the country, while enhancing the great unity bloc of ethnic groups to contribute to a successful implementation of the Party’s guidelines and State’s policies and laws on ethnic work.
4. Boosting the institutionalisation of the policy on continuing to renovate and organise the apparatus towards the streamlined, effective and efficient political system
Last year, the NA and NA Standing Committee issued many important decisions to institutionalise the policy on continuing to renovate and restructure systems towards a more streamlined, effective and efficient political system, under the Resolution No.18-NQ/TW by the 12th Party Central Committee.
The highlight of the contents were: the amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on Organisation of the Government and the Law on Organisation of the local Government; the NA’s Resolution on piloting the urban administration model in Hanoi; the NA Standing Committee’s adaptation of the Resolution No.653/2019/UBTVQH14 prescribing the arrangement principles and ways of administrative units at district and commune levels for 2019-2021 period.
5. Vietnam takes over the chair of AIPA 41
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National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) receives the AIPA chairmanship token for 2019-2020 from Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai. (Photo: VNA)
On August 29, 2019, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan receives the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) chairmanship token for 2019-2020 tenure. The event was one of many important marks in preparation for 2020 – a special year for the country while taking on the role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Chair of the AIPA.
6. The NA issued a historical resolution on the management and development of Vietnam – Cambodia border line
At its eighth session, the NA issued a historical resolution on the ratification of the supplementary treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty, as well as a protocol on land border demarcation and marker planting between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The resolution formed a solid legal framework for the management and development of the Vietnam – Cambodia border line, ensuring the maintenance of security, national defence and social order and safety in the bordering region. The resolution also expressed the will and determination to cooperate in building a borderline of peace, solidarity, cooperation and development, on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate interests, equality and mutual benefits, for the sake and prosperity of the two peoples.
7. Solemn ceremonies commemorating the 130th birthdays of late NA Chairmen Nguyen Van To and Bui Bang Doan
The Party Central Committee, NA, President, Government, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Hanoi jointly held solemn ceremonies to mark the 130th anniversary of the births of the first NA Chairman Nguyen Van To (June 5) and late NA leader Bui Bang Doan (September 19). Speaking at the events, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan underscored the achievements and great contributions made by the late NA Chairmen to Vietnamese revolution.
The ceremonies have contributed to inspiring patriotism, pride and deep gratitude to the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and predecessors among all people from all strata, particularly younger generations; as well as encouraging them to actively study, work and fight to contribute to the successful implementation of targets and tasks for national development and protection.
8. The application of information technology supported the NA’s activities.
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The NA deputies use smart devices at the session. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)
The year 2019 marks a remarkable advance of the NA in the application of information and technology to serve its doings. Since the seventh session, an app supporting the NA deputies’ activities on smart devices (such as tablets and mobile phones) was put into operation for the first time. It had many smart features, including the provision of full documents, the quick search function of documents through voice, the reading of paper documents, online exchange and interaction, and following the topics related to the NA on the newspapers and social networks.
Besides the above mentioned, the application of artificial intelligence in voice recognition has significantly contributed to the effective and smooth operation of sessions, while serving the removal of audio tapes during the discussion of contents.
With the use of information and technological advances, the NA successfully organised paperless meetings for the first time in 2019, contributing to improving the efficiency and savings in its actions while receiving high appreciation of deputies and voters.
| Seven laws that were passed by the14th NA at its seventh session included: Law on Education; Law on Architecture; Law on Public Investment; Law on Execution of Criminal Judgement; Law on Prevention and Control of Harms of Liquor and Beer Abuse; Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of the Law on Insurance Business; and Law on Intellectual Property. At its eighth session, 14th NA approved 11 laws and codes: Labour Code; Law on Securities; Law on Library; Law on Military Reserve Force; Law on Militia and Self-defence Forces; Law on Militia and Self-defence Forces; Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of Law on Organisation of Government and Law on Organisation of the Local Governments; Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants and the Law on Public Employees; Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of the Law on State Audit; Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam; and the Law on Amendments and Supplements to A Number of Articles of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools. |
