National conference on implementing the Constitution on Jan 8, 2014 (photo: dangcongsan.vn)

The Constitution must be implemented coordinately, unanimously, and effectively. Ministries, sectors, and localities have begun to introduce the Constitution’s major contents, review legal documents, and train the law enforcement staff.

Key tasks of ministries, sectors, localities

Implementing the Constitution is one of the most important tasks of the State administrative apparatus. Next month, the Ministry of Justice will organize teleconferences and training courses to introduce the Constitution’s key contents to speakers and communicators of ministries and provincial People’s Committees and train heads of legal departments of ministries and sectors.  

A writing contest will be organized to improve people’s understanding of the Constitution. Conferences and symposiums of experts and scientists will be held. Nguyen Hoa Binh, Director General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, talks about the agency’s activities. “We have introduced the Constitution to all staff. We deem it our task to study the Constitution by different methods including self study. The People’s Procuracy will organize courses on the Constitution at our training centers. The People’s Procuracy is in charge of drafting the Criminal Procedures Code and the Law on the organization of the Procuracy. We have posted the bills on our website for public comment.”

Many cities and provinces have organized teleconferences to disseminate the Constitution. Thai Binh province has reviewed all its legal documents and is making it a top priority to revise or issue new legal documents related to the organization of the state apparatus, human rights, or the rights and obligations of citizens.

The People’s Council of Quang Nam province held 18 conferences to inform district leaders and communicators about the Constitution. The province has provided legal consultation on its website and distributed leaflets and manuals.

Opportunities and challenges in implementing the Constitution

There is a lot of work involved in implementing the Constitution. Vietnam must deal with the challenges of the public’s limited legal knowledge and shortcomings in the legal system. Complicated regional and international developments have created some obstacles to implementing the advanced contents of the Constitution. Since the adoption of the Constitution, ministries, sectors, and localities have been actively bringing its basic law to life. Le Minh Thong, Deputy Head of the National Assembly’s Committee for Legal Affairs, said: “The biggest advantage is that the Constitution is supported and trusted by people of all social strata. Social consensus is the most favorable condition. A second advantage is the political determination of State leaders and state agencies to faithfully implement the Constitution. Since the beginning of this year, ministries, sectors, and localities have launched action programs to realize their task.”
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the ultimate task after adopting the Constitution is to ensure that all its contents will be applied in society. Activities to implement the Constitution have contributed to sustainable development in the renewal process.