Vietnam’s National Assembly adopts historic constitutional amendments
The constitutional amendment resolution states that district-level administrative units nationwide will cease operations on July 1, 2025, while providing several transitional provisions.
All 470 delegates present at the NA's 9th session vote in favour for the resolution amending key provisions of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) unanimously approved a resolution amending key provisions of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on June 16, with all 470 delegates present at the 9th session voting in favour.
The constitutional amendment resolution states that district-level administrative units nationwide will cease operations on July 1, 2025, while providing several transitional provisions.
Vice Chairman of the NA Nguyen Khac Dinh described the resolution as a historic milestone, marking the start of sweeping institutional reform and laying the constitutional foundation for a leaner and more effective political system. He stressed that it will set the stage for building a powerful and prosperous Vietnam where its citizens live in happiness.
In the morning session, lawmakers are set to vote on the Law on Teachers, the revised Employment Law, and the Law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on Advertising.
After that the parliament will listen to a supplementary proposal and verification report concerning revisions to the Railway Law.
The morning session will devote considerable attention to the NA’s draft resolution on tuition fee exemptions for preschool children, elementary, secondary, and high-school students, and learners in general education programmes across the national education system. Besides, it will focus deliberations on a resolution to universalise preschool education for children aged three to five.
According to the Government’s proposal, the preschool resolution is designed to implement key directives from the Politburo and the 13th Party Central Committee on social policy reform and education quality enhancement. It also aims at establishing a legal framework enabling broader investment and support for early childhood education, making contributions to implementing children’s rights.
The Government has committed to securing financial resources for achieving universal preschool education for children aged three to five. State budget allocations will supplement the existing 20% of total education and training expenditure mandated by the Education Law, complemented by socialised education capital and other legally mobilised funding sources.
In the afternoon, the law makers will discuss at the hall the draft Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. They will then break into groups to deliberate over the revised Railway Law and the investment ꦍplan for the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 4 project./.
452 lawmakers, or 94.56% of the total number of deputies present, voted in favour the revised Law on Corporate Income Tax, while the amended Excise Tax Law was adopted with 448 out of 454 deputies present voting in favour, accounting for 93.72% of the total.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee has endorsed a proposal that non-public companies issuing bonds via private placement must maintain a debt-to-equity ratio of no more than five, including the value of the bonds to be issued.
On June 13, NA deputies examine the draft resolution for the second amendment and supplementation of certain articles of the 2013 Constitution, alongside revisions to multiple foundational laws governing the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Trade Unions, Youth, and Implementation of the Grassroots Democracy.
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.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
