Resolution No. 71/2022/QH15: Citizens in Vietnam may attend public sessions of the National Assembly of Vietnam as observers

The National Assembly session in Vietnam may be organized continuously or in two or more stages

The National Assembly session is the main form of activity of the National Assembly. During the session, the National Assembly discusses and decides on issues within its duties and powers as prescribed by law. The National Assembly session may be organized continuously or in two or more stages.

The National Assembly in Vietnam convenes regularly twice a year.

In cases where the President, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, or at least one-third of the total number of National Assembly deputies request, the National Assembly will convene an extraordinary session to discuss and decide on issues within its duties and powers, excluding the contents regularly presented to the National Assembly as prescribed by law.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Vietnam guides the organization of extraordinary sessions.

The Rules of the National Assembly session clearly state: National Assembly deputies are responsible for fully participating in the sessions and meetings of the National Assembly, focusing on research, participating in discussions, giving opinions on the contents of the National Assembly session, and voting on issues within the duties and powers of the National Assembly.

In cases where a deputy cannot attend the session or meeting according to the agenda approved by the National Assembly, the deputy is responsible for reporting to the Head of the Delegation of National Assembly deputies to notify the Secretary-General of the National Assembly to compile a report to the Chairman of the National Assembly if absent for up to 2 working days during the entire National Assembly session; report in writing, stating the reason to the Head of the Delegation of National Assembly deputies to notify the Secretary-General of the National Assembly to compile a report to the Chairman of the National Assembly for a decision if unable to attend the session or absent for more than 2 working days during the entire National Assembly session.

In cases of absence due to health reasons or force majeure, the deputy reports to the Head of the Delegation of National Assembly deputies to notify the Secretary-General of the National Assembly to compile a report to the Chairman of the National Assembly.

In cases of absence to perform duties of the National Assembly session as prescribed by law and resolutions of the National Assembly, the deputy reports to the Head of the Delegation of National Assembly deputies and simultaneously notifies the Secretary-General of the National Assembly to compile a report to the Chairman of the National Assembly.

Regarding individuals invited to attend National Assembly sessions and observe National Assembly meetings, the Rules state: The Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuracy, members of the Government, the State Auditor General, and heads of agencies established by the National Assembly who are not deputies are invited to attend National Assembly sessions; they are responsible for attending the plenary sessions of the National Assembly when discussing issues related to the sectors or fields they are in charge of.

Those invited to attend the National Assembly session may express their opinions on issues related to the sectors or fields they are in charge of if approved or requested by the Chairman or the assigned Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly session.

Distinguished domestic and international guests are decided by the Chairman of the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General of the National Assembly.

The Secretary-General of the National Assembly will consult and reach an agreement with the Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the National Assembly regarding distinguished international guests before reporting to the Chairman of the National Assembly.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly considers allowing distinguished domestic guests to speak at the plenary sessions of the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General of the National Assembly; it also considers allowing distinguished international guests to speak at the plenary sessions of the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee of the External Relations Committee of the National Assembly, and presents these for the National Assembly’s consideration and decision to include in the session’s agenda.

Representatives of state agencies, central bodies of political, socio-political organizations, social organizations, economic organizations, people's armed units, and press agencies may be invited to attend public sessions of the National Assembly.

Based on the National Assembly session agenda, recommendation from the Chairman of the Ethnic Council, the Chairmen of the Committees of the National Assembly, heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly decides the list of invited individuals prescribed in this clause.

Notably, citizens in Vietnam may attend public sessions of the National Assembly. The Secretary-General of the National Assembly organizes citizens to observe the public sessions of the National Assembly.

According to the Rules, the mid-year National Assembly session opens on May 20; the year-end National Assembly session opens on October 20.

In cases where May 20 and October 20 fall on a Friday or a statutory holiday, the opening day of the National Assembly session is the next working day.

In cases of force majeure where the National Assembly session cannot be convened at the specified times, the opening day of the National Assembly session is decided by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The opening day of the first session of each National Assembly term is decided by the Standing Committee of the previous National Assembly no later than 60 days from the date of election of National Assembly deputies.

The opening day of the final session of the National Assembly term and extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly are decided by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

This Resolution takes effect from March 15, 2023./.

According to the Government of Vietnam's Electronic Information Portal

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