The eighth session of the 15th National Assembly: End of the question and answer session

On November 12th, at the National Assembly building, under the chairmanship and direction of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, the National Assembly continued its question-and-answer session with National Assembly deputies on the health sector and the third group of issues in the field of information and communication, with 3 issues: Solutions to improve the quality of the press in the current era of booming social media, especially the role of revolutionary journalism in promoting socio -economic development; the management of advertising activities in the press and on the online environment; and investment, development and improvement of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in remote areas and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Comrade Ngo Dong Hai, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Thai Binh Province, and other delegates attended the questioning session.

The person answering the questions was the Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Manh Hung. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc; the Ministers of Planning and Investment, Finance, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Science and Technology, and Public Security; and the Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities also participated in answering questions and providing explanations on related issues.

Following this, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh clarified several related issues, reported on and explained some key issues of concern to National Assembly deputies, and directly answered questions from National Assembly deputies. He also updated some socio-economic development results for the first 10 months of 2024. Overall, the results for the first 10 months of 2024 were better than the same period in 2023 in most areas, with all three sectors – agriculture, industry, and services – maintaining positive growth momentum. Macroeconomic stability continued, inflation was controlled, major balances were ensured, and public debt, government debt, foreign debt, and the state budget deficit remained below the limits set by the National Assembly. The consumer price index (CPI) decreased gradually each month, averaging a 3.78% increase over the first 10 months compared to the same period. State budget revenue is estimated to reach 97.2% of the projected target, an increase of 17.3% compared to the same period last year. Efforts to mitigate the consequences of Typhoon No. 3 have been implemented decisively, promptly, and effectively…

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that from now until the end of the year, the Government will focus its efforts with high determination, great commitment, and decisive and effective action to maintain momentum and strive for GDP growth of over 7.5% in the fourth quarter, aiming for over 7% for the whole year. This will ensure that all 15 key socio-economic targets for 2024 set by the National Assembly are met and exceeded, creating momentum for the implementation of the 2025 plan and the entire 2021-2025 period, laying the groundwork and foundation for our country to enter an era of striving to become a rich and prosperous nation, as envisioned by General Secretary To Lam.

In the coming period, the Government and the Prime Minister will focus on directing: (1) Urgently reviewing and amending legal regulations. (2) Continuing to review, cut and save state budget expenditures, especially recurrent expenditures. (3) Strengthening inspection and supervision in all fields, especially regarding investment, public assets, land, minerals, etc.; strictly handling violations with the spirit of "handling one case, warning the whole region and the whole field". (4) Simplifying and cutting down administrative procedures to the maximum; focusing on reviewing and definitively handling outstanding, long-standing, inefficient projects and weak credit institutions. (5) Promoting communication and building a culture of saving and combating waste in the whole society; (6) Building a state administrative apparatus in accordance with the spirit of General Secretary To Lam's directive "Sleek - compact - strong - efficient - effective - efficient".

Concluding the question-and-answer session, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that after two days of serious and highly responsible work, with a spirit of innovation and collaboration with the Government and agencies and organizations throughout the political system, determined to overcome difficulties and challenges and strive to achieve the highest possible results in socio-economic development for 2025 and the following years, the National Assembly has completed the entire program of the question-and-answer session at the eighth session of the 15th National Assembly, focusing on three groups of issues under the main responsibility of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Information and Communications. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government, reported and provided further clarification on issues under the Government's management responsibility and directly answered questions from National Assembly deputies.

During the question-and-answer session, 136 National Assembly deputies asked questions, 18 deputies participated in debates, 2 deputies from Thai Binh province also participated in questioning, and 80 deputies who had registered to speak were unable to do so due to time constraints. The Chairman of the National Assembly requested that these deputies submit their questions to the Prime Minister, members of the Government, and heads of ministries and agencies for written answers as per regulations.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized that the questions raised met practical requirements, addressing issues of concern to voters, the people nationwide, and National Assembly deputies; further affirming this as a direct and effective form of supreme oversight by the National Assembly. Through practical experience, National Assembly deputies have a firm grasp of the situation, carefully studied reports, raised issues, and engaged in concise and clear debates with specific questions. National Assembly deputies frankly raised many issues, hoping that the Government and relevant ministries and agencies would continue to implement more timely and effective solutions.

Ministers and heads of departments demonstrated a high level of responsibility, a firm grasp of their functions, duties, and the current state of their respective sectors and fields, providing clear and straightforward answers to many difficult and complex questions without evasion, clarifying many issues raised by National Assembly deputies; and proposing numerous solutions to overcome limitations in the future.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that specific issues had been concluded in three interpellation sessions for each sector. Based on the questions from National Assembly deputies and the answers from members of the Government and heads of ministries, the National Assembly Standing Committee will direct relevant agencies to prepare draft resolutions to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the closing session of this meeting, serving as a basis for implementation and monitoring in accordance with regulations.

Comment (0)