by Tran Thi Thuy Linh
31-5-2000
The tenth National Assembly’s seventh session solemnly opened on May 9, 2000 at the Ba Dinh Hall, in Hanoi.
In the the short time leading to the opening of the session, the standing committee of the National Assembly and the Government had instructed concerned agencies to complete the proposals, drafts and reports to be delivered at the session and to make other preparations. Prior to the session, the national assembly deputies contacted with their voters and heard their opinions and petitions so as to have feedback for the national assembly. The national assembly delegations discussed some of the contents of the agenda of the session. The national assembly held a preparatory session, approved the agenda of the session and discussed other issues.
Before the session, NA deputies paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.
Participants to the opening session included the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CC CPV), Le Kha Phieu; advisors to the CPV Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh and Vo Van Kiet; State President Tran Duc Luong; Prime Minister Phan Van Khai; revolutionary veterans; NA deputies of previous tenures and all deputies of the 10th National Assembly. Many representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, international organisations in Hanoi and foreign and domestic press agencies also attended the opening session.
NA Chairman Nong Duc Manh delivered the opening speech and NA delegates heard the following reports:
- Report on ‘Striving to successfully implement socio-economic tasks for 2000’ presented by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
- Report on the assessment of the implementation of State budget tasks in 1999 and the implementation of State budget tasks in 2000 by Mr Ly Tai Luan, head of the Government Economic and Budget Committee.
- Report on proposed amendments to Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Law by minister of planning and investment, Tran Xuan Gia.
- Report on the assessment of the proposed amendments to Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Law by the deputy head of the Government Economic and Budget Committee, Tao Huu Phung.
- Report on the proposed amendments of the Oil and Gas Law by the minister and head of the Government Office, Doan Manh Giao.
- Report on the assessment of the proposed amendments of the Oil and Gas Law by the head of the Government Economic and Budget Committee, Ly Tai Luan.
- Report on the building of the Ho Chi Minh Highway by the minister of transport and communication, Le Ngoc Hoan.
- Report on the project to build the Son La hydro-electric power plant by the minister of planning and investment, Tran Xuan Gia.
The NA continued working at the hall on May 10. After that there were group discussions on the implementation of State budget tasks in 1999 and the implementation of the State budget tasks in 2000.
Government's report on implementation of socio-economic and state budget tasks presented to national assembly
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung delivered the Government's general report on the assessment of, and supplement to, the report on the implementation of the socio-economic and State budget tasks for 1999, and the implementation of socio-economic and State budget tasks for 2000, at the opening of the 7th session of the 10th National Assembly on May 9.
The report said that a number of the targets, set for socio-economic development in 1999, had been reached. Some were a little higher or lower than the estimates in the report to the previous session of the National Assembly.
The economic targets equal to or higher than the estimates submitted to the National Assembly included the GDP growth rate of 4.8 percent (against the estimate of 4.7 to 5 percent); food output in paddy equivalent reaching 34.3 million tonnes, the highest so far (estimate: 33.8 million tonnes); the production value of agriculture, forestry and fisheries up 6.3 percent (estimate: 5.2-5.5 percent) and the industrial production value up 10.4 percent (equal to the estimate) with the non-state sector registering an increase of 9 percent (estimate: 8.5 percent).
The export turnover value reached USD 11.54 billion, a 23.3 percent year-on-year increase (estimate: 10.7 percent). The import value reached USD 11.62 billion, a year-on-year increase of one percent (estimate: USD 11.4 billion).
The total State budget revenue grossed VND 74,200 billion (estimate: VND 69,500 billion), surpassing the estimate for 1999 by 6.8 percent, or a 1.7 percent increase compared with 1998. The overspending of the State budget is 4.97 percent of GDP (equal to the estimate).
The obtained targets which were lower than the estimates submitted to the NA included the industrial production value of the state-run sector which increased 4.5 percent (estimate: 4.8 percent); turnover of services increasing 3 percent (estimate: 3.5-3.8 percent); the total social investment reaching VND 103,900 billion, a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase (estimate: VND 105,000 billion), of which domestic investment made up 65 percent (estimate: 67 percent), and foreign investment, 35 percent (estimate: 33 percent).
The consumer price index in December 1999 was up 0.1 percent over December 1998 (estimate: under 2 percent). The number of poor households was reduced by 340,000 (estimate: 400,000 households).
On the implementation of socio-economic tasks in the first four months of 2000, the report noted that positive signs had been observed in several economic aspects of the country. The report said agriculture production had expanded, with increasing acreage under winter-spring rice crop in 2000. The average rice yield in southern provinces was estimated to reach nearly 5 tonnes/ha, up by 2.7 percent compared to the previous crop, and southern farmers were expected to harvest about 9.2 million tonnes of rice this crop, up by 600 tonnes compared to the same crop in 1999.
Total fishery netting capacity in the first quarter of 2000 was registered at nearly 600,000 tonnes or a 7.6 percent year-on-year increase. Sea-food volume accounted for 402,000 tonnes of the total netting capacity, up by 3.6 percent year-on-year, and aquaculture made up 193,000 tonnes, a rise of 17 percent compared to the same period in 1999. Industrial production registered a rise of 14 percent year-on-year, higher than four-month growth rates in recent previous years. The State-run sector rose 12.5 percent, the private sector, 18.6 percent and the foreign-invested sector, 13 percent. The volume of stockpiled goods was reduced. The service sector also obtained a high growth rate.
According to the report, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the whole country rose 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2000.
Deputy PM Dzung told the National Assembly that positive signs had been observed in the business environment throughout the country, particularly after the implementation of the Enterprise Law and the promulgation of the new policy on farm economy. The number of newly-established businesses in the first quarter of 2000 increased 65 percent year-on-year, and their registered capital rose 25 percent.
On foreign trade, the report said that the country's export turnover in the first four months of 2000 was estimated at USD 4.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 34 percent (or a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase without the price factor). Domestic businesses saw a year-on-year increase of 28.4 percent and foreign-invested enterprises, 54 percent. Export growth was due to the increase of crude oil prices and the expansion of foreign outlets, the report said. It pointed out major export items recording high increases in terms of turnover including aquatic produce (up 35 percent), coffee (up 82 percent), tea (up 2.4 times), rubber (up 22 percent), cashew nut (up 76 percent), pepper (up 2.2 times), vegetables and fruit (up 76 percent), garments (up 23.5 percent), electronic appliances (up 38.8 percent) and computers and components (up 50 percent).
Meanwhile, Viet Nam's import turnover in the reviewed period reached an estimated USD 4.42 billion, a year-on-year increase of 30.3 percent. Imported items including machinery, equipment, materials and fuels saw high increases in the January-April 2000 period.
Regarding social activities, the report highlighted progress and changes recorded in social development tasks. It pointed to the launch, early in 2000, of the national program on poverty reduction and education, health care and culture development programs. The overcoming of natural calamities in the nine flood-hit central provinces has rapidly restored production and life for local people, the report said.
Concerning education, it noted that the number of general education pupils throughout the country increased 5.7 percent compared to the same period in 1999. By the end of April, 58 out of the country's 61 provinces and cities had reached the national standard of illiteracy eradication and primary education universalization, 13 provinces more than the corresponding period the year before.
Many cultural activities, particularly cultural-tourism festivals in the national tourism program and major anniversaries in 2000 were organized, thus improving the cultural and spiritual life of the people, developing national traditions and increasing the number of domestic and foreign tourists.
The report laid stress on political stability, and social order and safety, particularly during the lunar New Year festival and other major festivals and anniversaries. According to the report, the country was currently facing difficulties in marketing local products and adverse price fluctuation. Dzung told the NA that the sharp price drops of food on the international market directly affected local prices adversely. The price of rice and coffee, the two main export items of the country, on the international market were down 14 percent and 42 percent, respectively, in the few months prior to the meeting of the National Assembly.
The consumer price index in April 2000 rose only 0.1 percent compared to the figure recorded in the last month of 1999 -- the lowest level in the previous four years, and went down 2.1 percent year-on-year. The fall in April's consumer price index was caused by a sharp price reduction of food and foodstuffs. Prices of food and foodstuffs dropped 2.5 percent compared to the late 1999 figure and 9.9 percent year-on-year.
The price fall not only caused great difficulty in marketing farm produce but also affected the income and purchasing power of farmers, who account for the majority of Viet Nam's population. The situation had an adverse impact on payment, production and investment activities for the whole of society.
Development and economic investment made little progress, the report said. It elaborated that the non-state sector recorded an increasing number of licensed businesses and registered investment capital, but still represented a small portion of the national economy and needed time to grow. Meanwhile, investment in construction projects funded by the state budget achieved a low rate of disbursement with only 23.7 percent of the annual target achieved in the first four months of 2000.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) disbursement witnessed better progress with USD 440 million disbursed in the first quarter of 2000 or 47 percent more than the corresponding period in 1999. However, foreign direct investment (FDI) suffered from a continuing sharp fall. The combined newly-registered and additional investment capital was posted at USD 260.5 million in the first four months of 2000, or equal to 45 percent recorded in the same period the year before. Meanwhile, only USD 400 million had been disbursed, 82 percent compared to the same period the year before.
The financial-banking system, especially State-owned institutions, made slow progress in settling negative phenomena. Social problems remained critical. The unemployment or under-employment rate continued to rise. The number of drug addicts, prostitutes and criminals had yet to be reduced. Traffic accidents were on the increase.
Administrative reform progressed slowly and State management quality and efficiency improved very little. The report called for continued efforts to settle outstanding difficulties and obstacles, create favourable conditions for enterprises and businesses to grow, expand markets, attract more foreign investment, speed up investment restructure and the investment management reform process. It stressed the importance of investigations into socio-cultural issues and solutions to major problems for sustainable development. It also pointed to the need to meet the urgent demand for further administrative reform and the improved quality of the Government instruction and guideline capacity.
NA Discusses State Budget Implementation
National Assembly deputies discussed in groups the implementation of 1999 and 2000 state budgets on May 10. The National Assembly held a plenary meeting presided over by Vice Chairman Mai Thuc Lan.
The National Assembly heard Mr Ha Manh Tri, director of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, read a draft law on amending and adding some articles of the Criminal Litigation Code and Mr Vu Duc Khien, director of the National Assembly’s Law Commission, read an investigation report on the draft law on amending and adding some articles of the Criminal Litigation Code.
On May 11, deputies discussed in groups a draft law on amending and adding some articles of the Foreign Investment Law in Vietnam and some articles of the Oil and Gas Law.
NA Deputies Discuss Draft Laws
National Assembly deputies held group discussions on the Draft Law on the Amendment and Addition of Some Articles of the Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam and the Draft Law on the Amendment and Addition of Some Articles of the Oil and Gas Law. This was on the third working day (May 11) of the seventh session of the tenth legislature. Many deputies agreed that it was necessary to amend and supplement some articles of the Law on Foreign Investment to improve the legal corridor and investment environment and to eliminate some difficulties and obstacles faced by foreign investors.
Many national assembly deputies also agreed to promulgate the the Law on the Amendment of and Addition to Some Articles of the Oil and Gas Law to create more favourable conditions for investors to invest in the oil and gas field, aimed at raising production output and ensuring uniformity in the law system.
National Assembly deputies held group discussions on the Draft Law on the Amendment and Addition of Some Articles of the Criminal Litigation Code on May 12. The deputies also discussed, at the Great Hall, the implementation of the tasks and State budget for 1999 and the deployment of the tasks and budget for 2000.
NA Discusses Criminal Litigation Code's Amendment
The National Assembly deputies held group discussions on the Draft Laws on the Amendment and Addition of Some Articles in the Criminal Litigation Code in the morning of the fourth working day, May 12. In the afternoon, the deputies held a plenary session at Ba Dinh Hall under the chairmanship of National Assembly deputy chairman, Mai Thuc Lan, to discuss the implementation of the socio-economic tasks and the State Budget in 1999 and the early months of 2000, as well as the implementation of the socio-economic tasks and the State Budget for 2000.
Deputies from ten provinces and cities contributed ideas after Mr Lan highlighted the focus of discussion. The ideas focused on the achievements and shortcomings of the implementation of the socio-economic tasks in 1999 and early 2000 under the National Assembly’s Resolutions, reasons and measures to overcome difficulties of Vietnam’s economy. Discussions also concentrated on the results of the programs to create jobs, fight poverty and hunger, the results of social policies and the fight against social vices.
On May 13, the fifth working day, the deputies held a plenary session to discuss the implementation of the socio-economic tasks and the State Budget in 1999 and early months of 2000, as well as the implementation of the tasks for 2000.
Revised Law on Foreign Investment Passed
National Assembly deputies discussed the draft law on amendments and supplements to a number of provisions of the Law on Foreign Investment in Viet Nam.
On the sixth working day, May 15, the deputies passed amendments to Article 14 concerning the appointment and dismissal of director generals and first deputy director generals, Article 19a on transfer of investment forms, Article 21 on protection and investors' property and legal interests, Article 21a on foreign currency balance, Article 34 on transfer of investors' capital, rights and obligations, Article 35 on opening of bank accounts abroad, and Article 40 on enterprises' loss transfers.
Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia, on behalf of the NA's Economic and Budget Committee and the Draft Law Compiling Board, pointed out reasons behind the decline of foreign investment in Viet Nam since 1997. He said that newly-licensed registered capital dropped by 40 percent in 1997, 16 percent in 1998 and 59 percent in 1999 due to the negative impacts of the recent financial and monetary crisis in the region and the fierce competitiveness among regional countries. Other reasons included poor infrastructure facilities, poor state management, an under-developed market system, cumbersome administrative procedures, an incomplete legal environment, and high investment costs.
The Law on Foreign Investment was first promulgated in late 1987 and was revised and supplemented three times in 1990, 1992 and 1996. It has effectively helped mobilize and use foreign investment capital, contributing to the country's economic development. National Assembly deputies debated and adopted other parts of the revised Law on Foreign Investment at the conference hall on May 16.
The changes make it easier for foreign investors to change their form of operation during licensed periods; transfer ownership of joint venture capital; purchase foreign currencies; open overseas bank accounts; and mortgage land-use rights to obtain loans from foreign banks. They also cover site clearance for foreign invested projects, liquidation of existing assets owned by suspended joint ventures; import and export duties; valued-added tax exemptions and profit remitting taxes.
Also on May 16 afternoon, National Assembly deputies heard a presentation made by Minister Doan Manh Giao, the director of the Government Office, on the acceptance and amendment of a number of articles concerning the Oil and Gas Law. The National Assembly deputies heard the whole text of the Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to a Number of Provisions Concerning the Oil and Gas Law.
On May 17, the National Assembly deputies continued to work at the plenary meeting to pass the draft law.
Revised law helps tackle only part of investment problems, says Minister
Amendments and supplements to the Law on Foreign Investment (LFI) helps tackle only part of the investment problems, said Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia in an interview with the Penguin Star. Minister Gia granted the interview on May 15 as National Assembly (NA) deputies were working on amendments and supplements to the LFI.
A thorough settlement of outstanding issues also depends on the mechanism and implementation of measures, Gia said, adding that there were problems that could not be handled by legal amendments such as the common practice of taking bribes.
Asked whether the Government could tackle these tough problems, the Minister said it was essential to change the perception in order to successfully solve these problems. Foreign investors come to Viet Nam to seek profit. If they are not offered the most favourable conditions here, they will go elsewhere.
"We should attract foreign investment sources for national development, therefore, we must show respect and create favourable conditions for their business operations," Gia noted. He further said: "We should stop giving ourselves the right to ask foreign and domestic investors for bribes." Relevant State agencies should create every possible favourable condition for foreign investors to obtain fruitful results, Gia added.
On the declining trend in foreign investment flow to Viet Nam in recent years, Minister Gia noted that about 70 percent of foreign investors in Viet Nam come from Asian nations, which were hard hit by the financial crisis in the 1997-1998 period. The crisis caused adverse impacts on regional economies, therefore, foreign investment in Viet Nam dropped dramatically. The fall wasreflected in the decrease of the number of foreign investments in the country as well as the suspension and cancellation of on-going foreign-invested projects, as project owners found themselves in difficulties in their own countries, Gia said. He pointed to the fact that together with recovery signs in crisis-stricken economies, regional countries offered incentive policies in order to attract more foreign investment sources. He took the Republic of Korea (RoK) as an example, saying that the RoK Government had taken measures to attract foreign capital sources for national development.
"This was one of reasons leading to a change in the share in the foreign investment market," Gia noted.
Apart from objective reasons, the Minister also touched upon "internal" causes. He noted that although the LFI was introduced in Viet Nam not long ago, there were many stipulations that were incompatible to the current situation. By nature, the Law on Foreign Investment in general should be an international and competitive document. Therefore, Viet Nam faced difficulties in the process of completing it. Difficulties lay not only in compiling but also in implementing the Law, he said.
Minister Gia also listed difficulties caused by cumbersome administrative procedures for foreign investors in Viet Nam. They include difficulties in project site clearance, checking permits and completing cumbersome customs, tax, supervision, inspection and auditing procedures. He, however, said that the licensing process had been greatly simplified following a series of efforts by the Government in this domain.
According to the Minister, cumbersome procedures were to blame for foreign investors' loss of business opportunities. As the completion of these cumbersome procedures took so much time, foreign investors could do nothing but see their business opportunities pass by, Gia said, stressing that the correct selection of time and market opportunity was the most decisive factor for business success.
Concerning the worrying attempts by foreign investors in some joint ventures to "annex" the Vietnamese side, Minister Gia acknowledged the reality saying: "In some foreign JVs, the foreign side has attempted to forge a 'fake loss' though they actually made profits. Losses have been reported as they spent much an advertising and trade promotion campaigns in a bid to dominate the market and beat competitors. In addition, the foreign side has raised the prices of imported materials and reduce selling prices to an unexpected level. Their profits are seen in winning the trust of consumers and expanding market shares."
Meanwhile, he said, the Vietnamese side has had to give up as a result of losses and lack of capital and the foreign side purchased the Vietnamese side's share immediately and then turned the JV into their own business. It is a form of economic colonization based on taking advantage of the partners' weaker financial situation, meaning that the foreigners were not true partners in the strict sense of the word, but nothing more than pirates or bullies taking advatange of a weaker member. However, Gia noted that this is not commonplace and annexation attempts depended on each investor. The Minister said laws were not sufficient to prevent those cases which he describes as "very dangerous". To cope with this problem, Minister Gia laid stress on the need to prove and turn to good account Viet Nam's strengths.
He said in some JVs, the Vietnamese side was aware of protecting the national interests, but he acknowledged that in some others, they made compromises with foreigners for their own interests, while only doing harm to the national interests. Additionally, he attributed the situation to the ineptitude of the Vietnamese side in JVs in managing business operations, thus causing damage to the national economy. Gia also cited inadequate mechanisms and policies and the improper mobilization of the entire management apparatus to protect the national interests as other reasons.
NA Passes Revised Oil and Gas Law
National Assembly deputies discussed and approved the Draft Law on Amendments of and Supplements to a Number of Provisions of the Oil and Gas Law with 362 yes-votes, accounting for 81.9% of the votes in favour, on their eighth working day of the seventh session of the 10th legislature, in Hanoi on May 17. The morning session, was presided by National Assembly deputy chairman Mai Thuc Lan.
In the afternoon session, Mr Ha Manh Tri, the head of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, on behalf of the Secretariat, the Compiling Commission and the Standing Board of the National Assembly Law Committee, read a report to explain and accepted the deputies’ opinions on the Draft Law on Amendments of and Supplements to a Number of Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Mr Phan Trung Ly, on behalf of the Secretariat, read the whole text of the Draft Law on Amendments of and Supplements to a Number of Provisions of the Criminal Litigation Code, including 5 provisions. The deputies suggested opinions on clause 1 to clause 5 of the Draft Law’s Provision 1. The Compiling Commission accepted the opinion and explained every provision. The deputies passed the provisions with the majority of the votes.
NA Deputies Discuss Tasks of Supreme People’s Court and Procuracy
The National Assembly deputies held group discussions on the work of the Supreme People’s Court and Procuracy in the ninth working day of the legislature, May 18. National Assembly held a plenary meeting in the afternoon, chaired by its vice chairman Nguyen Van Yeu to discuss and approve amendments and supplements to some articles of the Criminal Procedure Code. The amended and supplemented articles approved by the deputies include 93, 97, 98, 142, 145, 151, 226, 227, 229, 231, 234, 234a, 236, 237, 238 and 273. Thirty two deputies from 19 cities and provinces contributed their opinions. Mr Ha Manh Tri, the head of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, on behalf of the Secretariat, the Compiling Commission and the Standing Board of the National Assembly Law Committee, read a report to explain, and accepted, the deputies’ opinions.
The National Assembly deputies are continuing their work on May 19.
NA Passes Draft Law of Criminal Procedure Code
The National Assembly passed the Draft Law on Amending and Supplementing Some Articles of the Criminal Procedure Code with 354 ‘yes’ votes, accounting for 80% of the legislators.
The National Assembly, led by its vice chairman Nguyen Phuc Thanh, heard deputy minister of Public Security, Mr Le The Tiem, read the draft law on drug control and heard Mr Bui Ngoc Thanh, deputy director of the NA Committee for Social Problems, read an investigation report of this draft law. In the afternoon, the National Assembly discussed in groups the Draft Law on Drug Control. Many delegates agreed to establish this draft law and contributed their ideas on its contents.
NA Discusses Science and Technology Bill
The National Assembly held a plenary meeting chaired by its vice chairman Vu Dinh Cu to discuss Vietnam's first ever Science and Technology Bill during the 11th working day, May 22, of the current seventh NA session. Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Chu Tuan Nha read a proposal on the science and technology bill.
Deputy Chairwoman Pham Thi Tran Chau of the NA Committee for Science, Technology and Environment delivered an assessment report on the draft Law. The deputies worked in groups in the afternoon.
NA Hears Statement on Draft Law on Marriages
The National Assembly, led by its vice chairman Truong My Hoa, heard Justice Minister Nguyen Dinh Loc reading a statement at the legislature’s 7th session on May 23 on adjusting the Draft Law on Marriages and Families (amended) based on opinions of people, sectors and of all levels. The National Assembly also heard the director of its law committee, Mr Vu Duc Khien, reading an investigation report on the draft law.
NA Holds Question and Answer Session
National Assembly deputies held a plenary session under chairmanship of Chairman Nong Duc Manh to hear the results of resolutions of questions raised by voters and the answers of ministers to the questions put by NA deputies. Chairman Manh raised some main points in the question and answer session. On behalf of NA Standing Committee, he answered questions on measures to promote and improve the effectiveness of examination of the NA and its agencies.
Minister of planning and investment, Tran Xuan Gia, answered questions on dispersed and ineffective investment. Mr Gia discussed the slow speed of capital construction in first four months of this year and solutions for this situation. The deputies heard the opinion of the Ministry of Planning and Investment on investing in primary schools and primary educational universalisation. Mr Gia answered questions on the slow speed of exporting rice and cement and the implementation of two key national projects of gas-electricity-urea fertiliser and the construction of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Plant.
Minster of finance, Nguyen Sinh Hung, answered questions on measures to collect VND 2,000 billion more for newly arisen expenditure that lie outside the State budget draft, preferential policy on software production, as well as the tax rate for electronic materials, and materials for detergents and cosmetics production. The deputies heard the minister answering on the use of traffic fees through petrol price, the proportion of non-agricultural tax, the extraction of a percentage from the State budget, regulations on pensions for heads of villages and budget allocation in the educational sector, as well as the use of export subsidies.
Mr Hung also reported the results of solving questions by voters on the allocation of budget to provinces and cities, five collecting recourses to develop infrastructure, regulations on budget spending and its increase. He also reported about the increase of allowances for subsistence in the mountainous and remote areas and the management of the fee collecting which is now expanding in an unplanned manner.
Minster of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Nguyen Thi Hang, answered questions on the policy on war invalids and that on early retirement due to poor health, procedures on the provision of subsidies for revolutionary veterans and contributors to the Vietnamese revolution who were awarded orders after January 1, 1995.
The deputies heard Ms Hang answering questions on priority given to soldiers who joined the secret sea transport during the Anti-US Resistance War, special allowances for communes without border-guard stations, increasing the retirement age of women to the level of men and decreasing social insurance time of women to 25 years. She also gave answers on questions of increasing pensions for those who retired before September 1985, the situation of vocational training schools, former soldiers on the B, C and K battlefields and the 40 hour working week. Measures to fight hunger and poverty, and health insurance for the poor were also discussed.
NA Deputies Question Cabinet Members
The National Assembly held a plenary session on the 14th working day of the seventh session on May 25 under the chairmanship of Mr Nong Duc Manh to hear the results in giving answers to the questions put by voters and by NA deputies. The session started with the questions raised by 17 deputies from 15 cities and provinces concerning further issues related to labour, social affairs and war invalids policies. Minister Nguyen Thi Hang dealt with all questions. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Le Huy Ngo answered the questions on:
- The low investment for forest management and protection;
- The detailed criterion for farms;
- The safety standards for food and the levels and measures to ensure national food safety;
- The investment policies and regulations on income sources to build the infrastructure in the Mekong Delta;
- The decreasing prices of sugar cane and sugar and measures taken to solve it; policies to invest in irrigation for semi-mountainous and mountainous areas and the plan for the Van Dien sugar mill in Ha Tay province; and
- The decreasing prices of farm produce and low consumption; increasing prices of materials for agricultural production and measures to solve these problems.
Fifteen deputies from 13 cities and provinces raised further questions on the above issues and received answers from Minister Le Huy Ngo. Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Trinh Hong Duong answered questions on:
- The slow settlement rate of administrative cases and the reasons for this;
- Civil cases have still met with a high rate of appeals and protests; low quality court rulings in many cases, the reason for this;
- The number of unjust penalties such as the execution of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hiep;
- The high numbers of discovered border smuggling cases but low incidence of these cases having been put to trial; the reason why;
- The reason why cases tried at the Court of Appeal by the Supreme People’s Court have been conducted at a slow pace;
- The reason why trial quality at the district people’s courts is still poor; and
- The settlement of complaints has yet to be conducted satisfactorily; the reason why.
Seven deputies from seven cities and provinces asked questions relating to the above issues. Mr Trinh Hong Duong answered the questions.
Mr Ha Manh Tri, general procurator of the Supreme People’s Procuracy answered questions on:
- Many with the law in various branches sectors and properly documents are at variance. The reasons why the procuracy agencies at different levels have not performed their function as the inspector and supervisor of the issuance of the documents of the authorities at different levels;
- The results of the enforcement of sentences concerning pregnant women and child prisoners in accordance with the 1999 Criminal Code;
- There are many smuggling suspects having been apprehended, but their prosecution rate is still poor; the reasons why;
- The settlement of smuggling cases carried out by customs staff;
- Corruption cases are reportedly declining, but in actuality, corruption vices are still on a fast increase; the reasons why;
- There are many emergency warrants for arrest, but many of them have not gone through the Institute’s approval; the reason why;
- The reasons why there is still the situation of unjust trials such as the execution of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hiep, who should be held responsible for this and measures to limit this;
- The settling time for complaints against the court’s decisions have expired due to the slow treatment of the law-making bodies;
- There is an increasing number of complaints because of the administration system. What is the responsibility of the board of the procuracy agencies concerning this; and
- There are 2,000 offenders who are still out on bail, as reported by the Supreme People’s Procuracy. Why and who will be responsible for this?
Three deputies from three cities and provinces asked questions relating to the above issues. Mr Ha Manh Tri answered the questions raised by the deputies.
Delegates take leaders to task in assembly
The National Assembly put on what was described as "a remarkable performance", with delegates pitching tough questions at, and demanding frank answers from, ministers and officials. In the past the forum has been seen as compliant and unquestioning, no more than a rubber stamp, but during the current session delegates admonished leaders for evading questions and ministers apologised for incompetence.
"Declining foreign investment is certainly due to certain irrational aspects of our national investment structure . . . and it is certainly our fault for surplus production in some areas and deficits in others," said Planning and Investment Minister Tran Xuan Gia, who was responding to a terse question put by one delegate.
"You did not answer my question properly," thundered another as he cross-examined Finance Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on why his Ministry received more funding than the education sector. "Why is the difference so big . . . when we are supposed to regard education as a national priority?"
The tone of the debate stood in contrast to the previous session late in 1999 that drew public criticism for the timid attitude of the chamber's 450 members. According to Thai Kinh, a long-term member of the Communist Party, the intensity of proceedings results from concern over Vietnam's economy.
"The National Assembly is being more aggressive because the economy is not improving. It's very likely Mr Gia will be held responsible and will be removed from office," he said. The May proceedings became popular viewing, with ordinary people applauding the forthright approach of Assembly members.
"I always watch the National Assembly meetings on television and find this one much improved and more democratic," said Nguyen Viet Tien, a worker with Hanoi Electricity. "We used to be very afraid about questioning authority, but what I've seen is encouraging. It means more democracy," said a young woman who works for a foreign company in Hanoi.
Representatives to the parliament are elected from the provinces by proportional representation. A third are not Communist Party members, but their nominations are vetted by the party-controlled Fatherland Front. But party Secretary General Le Kha Phieu said in May party membership would no longer be a requirement for government ministers in the future.
NA Continues Question and Answer Session
National Assemble deputies continued a question and answer session under the chairmanship of Chairman Nong Duc Manh on May 26 to hear State agencies reporting the results of resolution of questions raised by voters and the answers of ministers to the questions put by NA deputies.
Minister of education and training, Nguyen Minh Hien, answered questions on teaching and learning out of school hours which is spreading without control and the examination of the use of diplomas and certificates. The minister discussed the lessening of teaching and learning load as well as the changes in programmes and books in primary schools. He also answered questions on the changes of organising the final and entrance examinations as well as those for excellent students and enrolling students in universities and colleges, and for masters degrees. Mr Hien answered the questions raised by 16 deputies at the session and he would send answers in writing to 16 other deputies.
Minster and head of the Governmental Personnel Commission, Do Quang Trung, answered questions on administrative reforms at the central agencies and the reasons for the slow and unco-ordinated reform. Mr Trung discussed the enrolment of cadres and personnel in the educational and public health sectors. The minister also answered questions on salary and pension policies for those who work in the public health sector, particularly those who work in remote and difficult areas, and the policy on work and salaries of cadres at communes, wards and towns, as well as allowances for cadres in villages and residential areas. Mr Trung answered questions raised by seven deputies at the session and would give answers in writing to other deputies.
The NA deputies heard Deputy Minister Pham Quang Tuyen, authorised by the minister of transport and communications, reporting on the situation of traffic safety and measures to promote traffic safety, and for offering and approving biddings for projects. Mr Tuyen answered questions on the implementation of the project to build the Cai Lan port and environmental protection in Ha Long Bay. The deputy minister answered some questions raised by ten deputies.
Also at the session, Deputy Minister Le Huy Con, authorised by the minister of industry, answered questions on a program of electricity in rural areas in 2000 and the management of the electricity network and price of the electricity in rural areas. He also discussed the receiving and refunding of electricity networks in rural areas. Mr Con answered some questions raised by 7 deputies. The minister of industry would give answers in writing to other questions.
Chairman Manh reviewed the results of the three question and answer sessions when he closed the session.
NA Discusses Insurance Operation Law
The National Assembly held a plenary meeting under the chairmanship of its vice chairman Mai Thuc Lan on May 27 to discuss the Insurance Operation Bill.Minister of Finance, Nguyen Sinh Hung read a report on the Insurance Operation Bill. Chairman of the NA Economic and Budget Committee, Ly Tai Luan delivered a report on the assessment of the Insurance Operation Bill. The deputies discussed the bill in groups during the afternoon.
NA Passes Part of Draft Law on Science and Technology
The National Assembly discussed and passed parts of the Draft Law on Science and Technology on May 29. Mr Chu Tuan Nha, minister of science, technology and environment, on behalf of the law compiling board, the NA’s standing committee on science, technology and environment and the secretariat of the session explained and received the ideas of the deputies concerning the draft law. Mr Luong Ngoc Toan, on behalf of the secretariat of the session, read the full text of the adjusted draft law.
The National Assembly discussed and passed the name of the Law, Preamble, Article 1, Article 2, Article 4, Article 5 and Article 6 of the Draft Law. Eighty-eight deputies from 44 provinces nationwide contributed their ideas. During the discussion, Minister Chu Tuan Nha explained and received ideas relating to the issues pointed out by the deputies. The national assembly continued discussing and passing the Draft Law on Science and Technology the following day.
The National Assembly, led by its Vice Chairman Vu Dinh Cu, held a plenary session on May 30. The National Assembly discussed and passed Article 7, Article 8 and the full text of Chapter I; articles and the full text of Chapter II; and from Article 19 to Article 26 of Chapter III of the Draft Law on Science and Technology. Seventy-two deputies from 38 provinces and cities contributed their ideas. In the law compiling process, Mr Chu Tuan Nha, minister of science, technology and environment, explained and received the ideas of deputies concerning the draft law.