15th NA names new NA Vice Chairmen, Deputy PMs at extraordinary session
Le Minh Hoan and Vu Hong Thanh were elected as NA Vice Chairmen, while Mai Van Chinh and Nguyen Chi Dung as Deputy Prime Ministers.
Party General Secretary To Lam (centre), State President Luong Cuong (second from left), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (first, left), National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (second from right) cast their votes. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 15th National Assembly (NA) voted to elect two new NA Vice Chairmen and two new Deputy Prime Ministers at its ongoing ninth extraordinary sessions in ﷽Hanoi on February 18꧅.
Accordingly, Le Minh Hoan and Vu Hong Thanh were elected as NA Vice Chairmen, while Mai Van Chinh and Nguyen Chi Dung as Deputy Prime Ministers.
The legislative body also elected the Chairpersons of its committees. Specifically, Hoang Thanh Tung was elected as Chairman of the Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs, while Phan Van Mai assumes the role of Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs. Le Tan Toi was appointed Chairman of the Committee on National Defence, Security, and External Affairs, and Nguyen Dac Vinh was elected as Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs. Additionally, Nguyen Thanh Hai was chosen as Chairwoman of the Committee on Deputies' Affairs, and Duong Thanh Binh as Chairman of the Ombudsman and Supervision.
On the same day, lawmakers also adopted two resolutions on the organisational structure of the Government under the 15th NA term and the number of Government members.
The new Government after the apparatus overhaul consists of 14 ministries and three ministerial-level agencies: the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the State Bank of Vietnam, the Government Inspectorate, and the Government Office.
The Government comprises 25 members, including the Prime Minister, seven Deputy Prime Ministers, 14 ministers and three leaders of ministerial-level agencies.
National Assembly deputies vote to approve the amended Law on Government Organisation (Photo: VNA)
Nguyen Manh Hung was elected as Minister of Science and Technology, while Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh assumes the position of Minister of Construction after the transport ministry and construction ministry were merged.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung was appointed Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, while Do Duc Duy becomes Minister of Agriculture and Environment.
On February 19, the National Assembly is expected to vote to approve several important resolutions. These include the resolution on the investment policy for the construction of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project, the resolution on piloting special mechanisms and policies to develop the metro line networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the resolution on special mechanisms and policies for investing in the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. Additionally, it will pass the amended Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents, the amended Law on Organisation of Local Governments, and a resolution on handling certain issues related to the restructuring of the state apparatus.
Following this, lawmakers will vote to approve a resolution on the plan on additional charter capital for the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) for the 2024 - 2026 period; and several urgent mechanisms and solutions necessary for the renovation, repair, upgrade, and construction of the Presidential Office headquarters.
In the closing session on the same day, the legislature will vote to pass two resolutions on adjustments to the 2025 socio-economic development plan, which sets a growth target of at least 8%; and on piloting certain policies aimed at addressing obstacles in science, technology, and innovation activities.
The closing session will be broadcast live on the Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Voice of Vietnam (VOV)./.
The Government is seeking the legislature’s approval for the allocation of 36.689 trillion VND (1.46 billion USD) from public investment funds already earmarked for the Ministry of Transport to the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) for the 2024-2026 period.
Specific mechanisms and policies are critically important to speeding up the project, helping ensure national energy security and meet power demand of socio-economic development in the new era, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said.
The newly approved legislation, consisting of five chapters and 32 articles, will take effect from March 1 this year. The adoption follows discussions held on February 13 and 14.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
