Reforming legislative thinking — unlocking the development momentum of the country

The speech by General Secretary Tô Lâm at the opening session of the first meeting of the 16th National Assembly on April 6 set out concrete requirements for the Assembly’s work and, more fundamentally, introduced a new approach to the role of institutions in development. Reforming legislative thinking is presented as a foundational breakthrough to unlock resources, unleash creative potential, and open up new development space for the country.

From a legislative body to an institutional engine of development

Some speeches guide immediate tasks, while others shape how an institution operates within the national system. The General Secretary’s address at the opening session of the first meeting of the 16th National Assembly falls into the latter category.

Traditionally, the National Assembly has been seen mainly as the body that makes laws, conducts oversight, and decides on major national issues. In this message, however, the role is framed more broadly: the National Assembly should not only legislate, but also translate the Party’s and the people’s development aspirations into institutional frameworks that can operate effectively in practice. In other words, it should create “institutional capacity” for the country.

A fundamental shift in legislative thinking

The speech’s distinctive feature is a call to rethink law-making—from a management mindset to a development-creating mindset.

For a long time, legislative thinking has leaned toward management: laws are designed to regulate what exists, control behavior, and limit risk. While this approach is not wrong, in a new development phase where innovation and creativity are key growth drivers, merely “managing” laws can become a barrier rather than a growth catalyst.

In a rapidly changing world, competition is shifting from resources and markets toward institutions and execution capacity. As supply chains, technology, and growth models are restructured, a legal system that adapts slowly or proves ineffective can impede development and cause strategic opportunities to be missed.

Accordingly, the National Assembly is urged to build the country’s “institutional capacity.” The message that laws should be made to develop implies that law should not only regulate what exists, but also open pathways for the new; not only reflect the present, but also shape the future. This requires a flexible and open approach—ready to pilot new models with safeguards, create room for creativity, and accept reasonable risks in exchange for greater opportunities.

At the same time, the reform must be tested in practice. A legal system, however sophisticated on paper, remains ineffective if people cannot understand it, businesses cannot comply with it, and government agencies cannot apply it. The standard is therefore to move from “good law on paper” to “good law in life,” as a way to evaluate the quality of the entire legislative process.

Decision-making that prioritizes speed and quality

The speech also emphasizes raising the quality and speed of decisions on important national matters. In a globally competitive environment where opportunities can appear and disappear quickly, policy delays can become the biggest cost. A correct but slow decision may allow opportunities to slip away, while a timely decision—even if not perfect—can provide a competitive advantage.

Thus, the criterion “right, precise, timely” is described as a strategic standard for national governance. It requires stronger policy analysis, better forecasting and impact assessment; prioritizing the right areas and breakthrough initiatives to focus resources rather than spreading them thin; and placing decisions within a long-term horizon to build new growth capacity for the country’s future.

Oversight aimed at action and results

If legislation is the opening of the road, oversight is the tool to ensure the road reaches its destination. As highlighted in the speech, oversight cannot stop at identifying problems or pointing out limitations. It must help correct performance, remove bottlenecks, and promote action.

This means oversight should be tied to specific responsibilities, concrete deadlines, and measurable outcomes; rely on data, evidence, and clear indicators; and ultimately answer whether the issue has been resolved. The approach marks a shift from form-based oversight to value-creating oversight, described as an advance in strengthening governance.

A new approach beginning in the parliamentary chamber

Taken together, the requirements point to reform not only of the National Assembly’s operations but of the broader institutional system. Legislation should no longer stand apart from implementation. Oversight should go beyond detecting problems to achieving results. Decisions should be timely and aligned with development opportunities. Above all, all activities should converge on one objective: serving development and continuously improving the people’s quality of life.

A new mindset centered on people and implementation

What is being initiated is not only a new mechanism but a new mindset—one that treats institutions as drivers, uses implementation as the yardstick, and places the people at the center of all decisions. When this mindset is realized consistently, each law becomes more than a legal text and instead a doorway to opportunity; each decision addresses immediate issues while laying foundations for the future.

The expectations and trust of the people are expected to be reflected in tangible changes that improve daily life—where the value of institutions is tested, governance capacity is demonstrated, and the nation’s strength is built sustainably.

TS. Nguyễn Sĩ Dũng