In the context of science , technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, new energy, etc., profoundly changing the development methods of nations, the message from the head of the National Assembly is a call for reform in all activities of the National Assembly's organs.
In the workings of the National Assembly, "lagging behind reality" is not simply a matter of being one step behind. Institutional delays and delays in policy decisions can cause widespread bottlenecks and stagnation, significantly impacting the lives, production, and business of citizens and enterprises, and even the development of the nation. The field of science and technology is a prime example. In 2025 alone, the National Assembly passed or amended numerous laws regulating new and complex fields, such as: the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation; the Law on Digital Technology Industry; the Railway Law; the Electricity Law; the Atomic Energy Law...; and even laws that have made Vietnam one of the world's pioneering countries in institutional reform, such as the Artificial Intelligence Law. The National Assembly also approved the investment plan for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant; the investment plan for the North-South high-speed railway project; and urban railway projects in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the strategic railway lines Hanoi - Hai Phong - Lao Cai and Hanoi - Bac Ninh - Quang Ninh aim to create momentum for national development... These are all areas where technology, technical standards, and governance models change extremely rapidly, requiring the institutional system to be highly flexible, able to both adjust to current issues and have a long-term vision to handle emerging and developing problems in the future.
What is noteworthy in the National Assembly Chairman's directive is not the demand for increased workload, but rather a change in working methods. A specific example is when General Secretary and President To Lam chaired a meeting to discuss the "Research, Application and Development of Quantum Technology for Socio-Economic Development, National Defense and Security" project. Thus, the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment must proactively review the existing legal system and resolutions to see if this content has been addressed, to what extent, and in what form; from there, proactively coordinate with the Government to develop timely policies, "taking shortcuts" and anticipating future trends, rather than waiting for the submitting agency to conduct verification and evaluation. This suggestion from the National Assembly Chairman also reflects the spirit of "taking a step ahead" in institutional reform for the National Assembly's agencies.
Along with that, the Speaker of the National Assembly also requested a strong shift from "document review" to "policy review and strategic advice." This is not just a change in administrative procedures, but a profound change in the role of committees in the legislative process. While document review mainly examines what already exists, policy review and strategic advice require "seeing what is coming and what could happen."
To achieve this, the Committees must be stronger in forecasting capacity, critical thinking, and the ability to detect problems early from practical experience. The Speaker of the National Assembly's requirement that the Committees be "strong in expertise, strong in data, and strong in experts" is precisely for this reason. Without sufficient data, the National Assembly's legislative activities, oversight, and decision-making on important national issues will depend on reports, submissions, and project documents from submitting agencies. Without skilled experts, it is very difficult to keep up with the ever-changing technological fields. And without a mechanism to protect officials who dare to think and act, it is very difficult for groundbreaking policy proposals to emerge.
This message is all the more significant when considered in the context of the 16th National Assembly having to handle a huge workload, including many unprecedented, difficult, and complex issues. The requirement to not lag behind reality, therefore, must become a common standard for all organs of the National Assembly.
To avoid falling behind in practice, the most important thing is to change mindsets and organizational methods. Committees must conduct on-site visits earlier, access information sooner, and coordinate policies earlier. Digital transformation in the National Assembly's operations must also be substantive, using data as the foundation for oversight and legislation, in line with the "paperless, data-driven" requirement set by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
As realities change daily, parliamentary bodies cannot simply do more in the old way. More importantly, they must do things differently – be more proactive, have better predictive capabilities, and possess a more strategic vision. The approach must be newer, more creative, and more proactive, emphasizing "playing the right role and knowing the job well"... Institutions cannot lag behind reality. Therefore, parliamentary committees absolutely cannot afford to lag behind reality.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/khong-duoc-phep-di-sau-thuc-tien-10418087.html
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