Parliament debates major policy and economic-social development issues

Continuing the program of the First Session, on the morning of 20 April, the National Assembly heard the Presentation and the Examination Report on the Draft National Assembly Resolution regarding a number of breakthrough mechanisms and policies for developing Vietnamese culture; the establishment of Dong Nai City under central administration; the Draft Resolution on piloting the enactment of the public lawyer status; the Draft Resolution on mechanisms and policies for handling violations of land law by organizations and individuals that occurred before the 2024 Land Law took effect, while also removing difficulties for stalled and prolonged projects. After that, the National Assembly discussed these contents in committees. In the afternoon session, the National Assembly discussed in the chamber the assessment and supplementation of the results of implementing the plan for socio-economic development and the state budget in 2025; the status of implementing the socio-economic development plan and the state budget in the early months of 2026; the five-year plan for 2026-2030; the work on thrift and anti-waste in 2025; and the progress toward the national target on gender equality in 2025. The discussion session was televised and broadcast so that voters and the people could follow. According to the Government's report, in 2025 Vietnam achieved and surpassed all 15/15 major socio-economic development targets. Macroeconomic fundamentals remained broadly stable; GDP growth reached 8.02%, among the higher rates in the region and the world, bringing the economy's size to 514 billion USD, ranking 32nd in the world. Inflation was controlled; the money market and the base interest rates remained stable. Social security achieved many results: over 334,000 temporary or dilapidated houses demolished; more than 102,000 social housing units built; the multi-dimensional poverty rate reduced to 1.3%. In the early months of 2026, despite a complex international backdrop, the domestic economy continued its positive momentum. GDP growth was estimated at 7.83%, with four localities growing above 10%; the average CPI was controlled at 3.51%; state budget revenue for the first three months reached 829.4 trillion dong, up 11.4%; foreign direct investment reached 5.4 billion USD, up 9.1%; total import-export turnover was about 249.5 billion USD, up 23%. Regarding key tasks, the Government implemented the instruction of General Secretary and President To Lâm to reject low growth, mobilize resources to achieve two-digit growth, tie task implementation to accountability and measurable results. To achieve the target, the Government aims to increase state budget revenue by 10%, strictly cut spending, stabilize the funding level of deposits and lending. Public investment will be reorganized toward reducing dispersion; at least 30% of centrally and locally funded projects will be cut during 2026-2030, and funded projects will be evaluated for economic-social efficiency before allocation. Efforts to improve the institutional framework will be strengthened, shifting from 'management' to 'development-creating' (or 'innovation in development'), reviewing laws, reducing by 50% the time and cost of complying with administrative procedures, further reducing at least 30% of conditional business lines and removing unnecessary business conditions. For social issues, the Government aims to complete 108 cross-level schools in border communes before August 30, 2026; strive for 100% of public and private hospitals to implement electronic medical records, not using paper records. 2026 is identified as the year to improve the quality of the administrative staff at the local level, together with strengthening discipline and order in the public service.