The National Assembly has ended its year-end session after nearly a month of discussion. Deputies discussed the goals, orientations, and a roadmap for the country’s socio-economic development, security and defense, and diplomacy. Voters were particularly impressed with the Q&A session, where ministers and other government leaders addressed issues of public’s concern.

The deputies analyzed and assessed achievements and weaknesses in the implementation of socio-economic tasks.  NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the NA made progress in preparing for the session and presiding over the meetings to uphold the collective brainpower and the sense of responsibility of agencies and deputies. NA resolutions specifically defined tasks and accountabilities of relevant agencies and organizations. The Q&A was particularly exciting and efficient with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and 5 cabinet members answering 175 questions. Chairman Hung elaborates: “The questions focused on macro issues, which were grouped together by topic of concern. This helped to utilize all the available time for question and answer. The changes were practical and efficient, meeting the desire of deputies and voters”.

The Q&A session involved four ministers, the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and the Prime Minister. Voters nationwide closely watched the session which toughed upon their issues of concern such as inflation control, banking restructuring, price management, public debt, traffic, policies for agricultural investment and farmers, and education quality. Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Chairman of the NA Office acknowledged the unprecedented changes of the session: “This is the first time the NA Q&A session has changed in the selection of issues, which had to meet 3 criteria. The issues had to be questioned by many deputies, rose by the voters, and have become a public controversy.”

The Q&A session was streamlined to be practical, responsible and serious with questions going straight to the point. Mr. Pham Duc Thuong, Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front in central Quang Binh province expressed his appreciation for the organization of the session: “The session has proved to be democratic. Deputies put frank questions and the ministers gave clear answers with a high sense of responsibility”.

During the session, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for the first time addressed the issue of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa, or Paracel, and Truong Sa, or Spratly, archipelagoes. The Prime Minister reiterated that Vietnam holds sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and has both legal and historical foundations for this. He stressed that VN will assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago through peaceful means. Regarding, the proposed draft Law on Demonstrations. The Prime Minister also made it clear that it is in conformity with Vietnam’s constitution, history and culture. He added that the law conforms to international practices and ensures people’s right to freedom and democracy.

The session ended with promises that issues vital to national socio-economic development will be addressed. Voters kept their trust for the National Assembly deputies and the Cabinet members, hoping they will be conscientious in the country through difficulties.