MID_TERM: CPS Autunm - Winter 2023

NAME: Nguyen Gia Linh

Code of Std: 2206080069

1. INTRODUCTION

On a crisp autumn morning of October 10, the International Studies group had the
remarkable opportunity to delve into the heart of legislative governance – the National
Assembly. Situated at the epicenter of our nation's decision-making apparatus, this revered
institution serves as the cornerstone of democracy and public representation. With a shared
enthusiasm for understanding global political systems, our group embarked on a journey
that sought to unravel the complexities and nuances of this venerable institution.

From its towering neoclassical facade to the palpable sense of importance that permeates
its halls, the National Assembly stands as a symbol of democratic ideals and the pursuit of
a harmonious society. During our visit, we had the privilege of having an exclusive
behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of this legislative powerhouse, gaining
invaluable insight into its functions, processes, and the individuals who shape our nation's
destiny.

Overall, our visit to the National Assembly proved to be an enlightening and eye-opening
experience. We emerged with a deeper understanding of the importance of robust
legislative processes in sustaining the democratic fabric of our nation. It highlighted the
need for active participation and engagement from citizens and reinforced the conviction
that an informed and empowered citizenry forms the bedrock of a healthy democracy.

In this report, we will provide an in-depth analysis of our visit to the National Assembly,
exploring Vietnam’s political system, and state system, organisation of Vietnam National
Assembly, how are functions of Vietnam National Assembly and what we found and
learned after visit to Vietnam National Assembly.

2. INTRODUCTION TO VIETNAM’S POLITICAL SYSTEM, AND STATE SYSTEM

Vietnam is a one-party socialist republic, with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)
being the sole ruling party. The CPV exercises significant control over the government and
all major political decisions. This is reflected in the country's political system, which
operates under the principles of Marxism-Leninism.
Vietnamese politics are modeled after a socialist, one-party state. In the Vietnamese
political system, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
of Vietnam is the highest ranking official. In addition to defining government restructuring
and bolstering market reforms in the economy, the new Constitution, which was enacted in
November 2013, reaffirms the Communist Party of Vietnam's dominant position in politics
and society. international. Despite having a single political party in power, Vietnam has
"reduced the importance and priority of the goals of economic development and protecting
national security" by adhering to the Party's official doctrinal position.

Vietnam's political system is characterized as a socialist republic, where the Communist

Party of Vietnam holds a dominant position and effectively governs the country. The
Constitution of Vietnam, adopted in 1992, outlines the organizational structure of the state
and sets forth the framework within which political power is exercised. At the apex of the
political system is the National Assembly, which is the highest representative organ of the
people and the only legislative body with the authority to enact laws. The National
Assembly consists of 500 deputies who are elected by the public every five years. It is
responsible for making decisions on important national issues, including the approval of
the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and electing the president.

The president of Vietnam, who is also the head of state, is elected by the National
Assembly and serves as the representative and symbol of Vietnam's sovereignty and unity.
The president is responsible for conducting diplomatic relations with other countries,
signing treaties, and issuing decrees and decisions in accordance with the Constitution and
laws. The president also plays a crucial role in the appointment and dismissal of high-
ranking officials, including the prime minister and cabinet members.

The government of Vietnam is headed by the prime minister, who is selected by the
National Assembly and is responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the
Party, as well as managing the executive branch of the government. The prime minister,
together with the cabinet, is in charge of administration, economic planning, and policy-
making. The cabinet includes ministers who oversee specific areas such as defense, foreign
affairs, finance, and education.

Vietnam's state system is founded on the principle of democratic centralism, which

emphasizes the centralized leadership of the Communist Party in all levels of government.
The Party's role is enshrined in the Constitution, and its General Secretary acts as the
country's political leader. The Party's Central Committee, consisting of senior Party
members, is responsible for formulating policies and providing guidance to the entire Party
 and state apparatus. Party cells are widespread throughout all levels of government,
ensuring that the Party's objectives and policies are implemented effectively.

Overall, Vietnam's political system and state system reflect the country's commitment to
socialism and the leadership of the Communist Party. The system aims to ensure political
stability, economic development, and social progress, while at the same time emphasizing
collective decision-making and the representation of the people's interests.

3. ORGANISATION OF VIETNAM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The highest legislative and representational body of Vietnam is called the National
Assembly. In Vietnam's political structure and decision-making process, it is crucial.
According to the Constitution, the 500 deputies that make up the National Assembly are
chosen by the general public to serve terms of five years. These deputies are in charge of
speaking out on behalf of their constituents' interests and concerns as they represent the
numerous districts around the nation.
The National Assembly is organized to provide the democratic participation of various
industries and areas. A mix of direct and indirect voting is used to elect deputies. In
election districts around the nation, the majority of deputies are chosen by the electorate in
a multi-candidate, secret vote process. Some representatives are chosen in an indirect
manner by means of specialist groups like the Vietnam Fatherland Front, which speaks for
various social, political, and professional groups. The legislative process can accommodate
a wider spectrum of opinions and perspectives thanks to this varied representation.

The National Assembly meets regularly twice a year, normally in the spring and the fall,
and also organizes emergency sessions if needed. The National Assembly's Chairman, who
is chosen by the deputies, oversees the meetings. The smooth running and order of the
proceedings are ensured by the Chairman and many Vice-Chairmen. Deputies participate
in debates, discussions, and voting during these sessions on a variety of legislative issues,
including as the passage of legislation, approval of the state budget, ratification of
international treaties, and control of governmental operations.
The National Assembly's oversight of the executive branch's operations is equally as
important as its legislative duties. By interrogating government representatives, going over
reports, and seeing how laws and policies are being put into practice, it exercises its
oversight power. This monitoring system aids in ensuring accountability and openness in
national governance.
 A Secretariat, which acts as the legislative body's administrative branch, supports the
National Assembly. The National Assembly's operations are coordinated by the
Secretariat, which also conducts research, drafts legislation, provides logistical assistance,
and supports research.

The National Assembly employs a structure of specialized committees to increase its

effectiveness and efficiency. These committees are in charge of researching and examining
certain problems in the fields of law, social concerns, economics, and international
relations. Members of the committees have the necessary knowledge and experience. They
carry out in-depth analyses and reviews of new legislation, offer suggestions, and help
people make well-informed decisions.

The National Assembly also participates in international parliamentary relations by

continuing its multilateral and bilateral collaboration with parliaments from other nations
and with international parliamentary organizations. Through this engagement, exchange
programs, experience sharing, and cooperation on international concerns are made
possible.

Overall, the National Assembly of Vietnam functions as a forum for democratic decision-
making and accountability, representing the will of the people. The National Assembly
helps Vietnam's political system and society advance through its structure, regular
sessions, oversight responsibilities, and interaction with overseas peers.

4. HOW ARE FUNCTIONS OF VIETNAM NATIONAL ASSEMLY

The Vietnam National Assembly performs several essential functions within the country's
political system. These functions can be broadly categorized into legislative, oversight,
representative, and constitutional roles.

Legislative Function: The National Assembly is primarily responsible for enacting laws
and regulations that govern the country. Deputies propose, debate, and vote on bills and
resolutions during sessions. They review and amend existing laws, develop new
legislation, and ensure that the legal framework aligns with the needs and aspirations of
the people. The laws passed by the National Assembly cover various areas such as
governance, economy, education, health, and social welfare.

Oversight Function: The National Assembly exercises oversight over the executive
branch, ensuring that government officials adhere to the law and fulfill their
 responsibilities. Deputies have the authority to question ministers, examine government
reports, conduct investigations, and hold officials accountable for their performance. This
oversight function promotes transparency, checks abuses of power, and ensures that
government actions are in the best interest of the people.

Representative Function: The National Assembly acts as the representative body of the
Vietnamese people. Deputies are elected by the public and serve as their voice and
advocate. They bring forward constituents' concerns, interests, and requests to the
legislative process. By engaging with their constituencies and participating in legislative
activities, deputies ensure that the policies and decisions made by the National Assembly
are representative of the diverse needs and aspirations of the population.

Constitutional Function: The National Assembly plays a crucial role in the constitutional
order of Vietnam. It has the authority to amend the Constitution, ensuring that it reflects
the country's evolving needs and aspirations. The National Assembly also ratifies
international treaties and agreements, affirming Vietnam's international commitments and
obligations.

In addition to these primary functions, the National Assembly also participates in the
process of selecting and appointing key government officials, including the president,
prime minister, and other high-ranking positions. Furthermore, the National Assembly has
the power to approve the national budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources and
the implementation of development plans.

The Vietnam National Assembly functions as the cornerstone of the country's political
system, ensuring the principles of democracy, participation, and accountability. Through
its legislative, oversight, representative, and constitutional roles, it works towards building
a prosperous and harmonious society for the Vietnamese people.

5. WHAT YOU FOUND AND LEANRED AFTER A VISIT TO VIETNAM

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

After visiting the Vietnam National Assembly Building, I had a really unique personal
experience. Despite spending a brief length of time in the building, I still discovered that I
was picking up a lot of valuable lessons on the importance of patriotism. In addition to
learning about The National Assembly's founding and subsequent history, I also learnt that
it stands for more than just being Vietnam's top political body. I felt tremendous respect
and gratitude for the previous and present members of the National Assembly for their
dedication to and contributions to the development of a stronger Vietnam. I also felt pride
in our nation. The National Assembly is the heart of Vietnam; it oversees and directs both
the society as a whole and its members toward the virtuous and prosperous path. The
National Assembly is the engineer who creates and maintains the country if we see it as a
machine with the people acting as its batteries and gears. The Assembly's members control
the majority of social-economic choices, therefore their influence on Vietnam's future is
larger than most people realize. We are really fortunate to have an Assembly that
genuinely is "Of the People, by the People, and for the People" since having a tainted head
of state might be terrible. Perhaps as a result of this particular factor, I found that after the
trip I was a little bit more proud and prouder of our nation. I also felt a great deal of
respect and appreciation for the past and present members of the National Assembly for
their dedication to and contributions to the advancement of Vietnam.

REFERENCE

Communist Party of Vietnam. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Vietnam

Government of Vietnam. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Vietnam

National Assembly of Vietnam. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_of_Vietnam

National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved

October 20, 2023, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Congress_of_the_Communist_Party_of_Vietnam

Vietnam National Assembly: History, functions and components. (n.d.). Vietnam Times.
Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/vietnam-national-assembly-
history-functions-and-components-18437.html