Vietnam’s National Assembly: Legislative Activities and Future Priorities

On March 15, 2026, Vietnamese citizens will participate in the election of members of the 16th National Assembly and local People’s Assemblies, serving a term from 2026 to 2031. This election represents a key moment for Vietnam, offering citizens the opportunity to exercise their right to self-governance and contribute to national development. Recent analysis focuses on the accomplishments of the 15th National Assembly (2021-2026) and expectations for the upcoming term.

Navigating Challenges: The 15th National Assembly (2021-2026)

The 15th National Assembly faced significant challenges during its term, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing measures. Despite these difficulties, Vietnam prioritized social stability and economic recovery. During this period, the Assembly enacted 51 laws and numerous regulations addressing a wide range of issues.

Legislative Achievements

The legislative output of the 15th National Assembly covered critical areas including national security, defense, the judiciary, civil affairs, and the economy. Notably, the Assembly likewise addressed emerging issues such as education, healthcare, complaint resolution, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, digital transformation, and the development of international financial centers.

Lawyer Dang Chien Tang, a legal advisor monitoring Vietnam’s legal developments, noted the importance of addressing these new areas, stating that it provides a foundation for Vietnam to strengthen its international competitiveness and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Although acknowledging the need for future revisions, he emphasized the significance of Vietnam’s proactive approach to regulating these emerging sectors.

Addressing Key Issues and Long-Term Goals

The 15th National Assembly also focused on resolving pending issues, addressing management challenges in major cities, setting mid- to long-term development goals, approving major national projects, and promoting national target programs for new rural development and sustainable poverty reduction. The Assembly passed 31 resolutions in addition to the 51 laws.

Priorities for the 16th National Assembly

Looking ahead, Lawyer Tang highlighted the need for continued attention to private economic development. While recognizing the vision of a “prosperous people and strong nation” driven by the private sector, he cautioned about potential challenges related to the allocation of national resources.

Resource Management and Equitable Distribution

A key concern raised by Tang is the potential for resources owned by the entire population to be transferred to the private sector without adequate safeguards. He stressed the importance of establishing a legal framework that ensures both economic efficiency and equitable benefits for all citizens. This framework should prevent the concentration of wealth and ensure that all Vietnamese people can benefit from the exploitation of national resources.

Tang advocated for legal specifications regarding the management, development, and use of national resources for socioeconomic development, emphasizing the need to control resource distribution to prevent a widening gap between rich and poor.

Enhancing Oversight and Transparency

Tang proposed innovative approaches to lawmaking and enforcement, suggesting that the National Assembly develop a more proactive supervision mechanism. This could involve requiring the government and relevant ministries to regularly report on the management and use of national resources related to large-scale economic enterprises and major national projects – both state-owned and private – outside of regular Assembly sessions.

This proactive approach would allow the National Assembly to quickly exercise its authority on behalf of the people and ensure transparency regarding the use of public resources. He emphasized that the National Assembly’s oversight functions are rooted in the principle of “by the people, for the people” and should reflect the suggestions and opinions of voters.

The Role of the National Assembly

As Lawyer Dang Chien Tang emphasized, members of the National Assembly are elected by the people and are responsible for representing their rights and interests. The principle of “the people know, the people watch” serves as a strong foundation for the Assembly’s oversight activities.