What are the matters available for public consultation in the villages or residential quarters meeting in Vietnam?

What are the matters available for public consultation in the villages or residential quarters meeting in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 15 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy in 2022, the following are the matters available for public consultation:

1. Undertakings or policies and rates of full or partial public contribution of money, property and labor to construction of infrastructure or public works falling within communes, villages or residential quarters.

2. Collection, use and management of public contributions at residential community other than those prescribed by law; collection, use and management of funds and assets that residential community holds in trust or are derived from other lawful sources of revenue, financing, aid or grant.

3. Content of local by-laws.

4. Election or discharge from office of heads of villages or residential quarters.

5. Election or discharge from office of members of the People’s Inspectorates or the Public Investment Supervision Committees.

6. Other practice of self-management within residential community. The public can discuss and decide such work on condition that such practice is not in contravention of laws, is conformable to traditional values, customs and social ethics.

Therefore, there are 6 specific matters available for public consultation in the villages or residential quarters meeting:

- Undertakings or policies and rates of full or partial public contribution of money, property and labor to construction of infrastructure or public works falling within communes, villages or residential quarters.

- Collection, use and management of public contributions at residential community other than those prescribed by law; collection, use and management of funds and assets that residential community holds in trust or are derived from other lawful sources of revenue, financing, aid or grant.

- Content of local by-laws.

- Election or discharge from office of heads of villages or residential quarters.

- Election or discharge from office of members of the People’s Inspectorates or the Public Investment Supervision Committees.

- Other practice of self-management within residential community. The public can discuss and decide such work on condition that such practice is not in contravention of laws, is conformable to traditional values, customs and social ethics.

What are the matters available for public consultation in the villages or residential quarters meeting in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What is the form or methodology of public consultation in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 17 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy in 2022, the form or methodology of public consultation is as follows:

Form or methodology of public consultation

1. In light of the proposed matter, the President of the commune-level People’s Committee, the Head of a village or residential quarter shall take charge of getting population living in that village or residential quarter involved in the public consultation process in the following forms:

a) holding meetings between residents in the community;

b) survey forms handed out to family households;

c) online voting. This form may be chosen provided that the level of proficiency in information technology application permits, and residential community agrees to it.

2. Public consultation regarding the matters specified in clause 3, 4 and 5 of Article 15 herein shall take place in a meeting between residents in the community, unless otherwise prescribed in point b of clause 1 of Article 19 herein. Handing out survey forms to family households may be selected in the case specified in clause 1 of Article 19 herein.

The method of online voting may be applied only if residential community is able to make their own decision on the work defined in clause 6 of Article 15 herein, and the head of a village or residential quarter agrees with the Committee on Fatherland Front Affairs at the village or residential quarter that it is not necessary to hold a meeting between residents in the community or hand out survey forms to family households.

3. If there is any other regulatory provision regarding conduct of public consultation, such regulatory provisions shall govern.

Therefore, the President of the commune-level People’s Committee, the Head of a village or residential quarter take charge of getting population living in that village or residential quarter involved in the public consultation process in the following forms:

- holding meetings between residents in the community;

- survey forms handed out to family households;

- online voting. This form may be chosen provided that the level of proficiency in information technology application permits, and residential community agrees to it.

What are entitlements of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy in 2022, the entitlements of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy are as follows:

- Have access to disclosure and request provision of adequate, accurate and timely information in accordance with law.

- Propose initiatives, contribute opinions, discuss and decide on matters relating to implementation of democracy at the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

- Carry out inspection and supervision relating to; file petitions, complaints, grievances and lawsuits against decisions and offences against law on the implementation of grassroots democracy in accordance with law.

- Receive recognition, respect, protection and get assured of legitimate rights and interests in the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of law.

Best Regards!