National Assembly closes as it passes major laws

The 12th National Assembly wrapped up its fifth session in Hanoi on June 19, with three resolutions on economic targets, education financing and amendments to the Criminal Code.

The 12th National Assembly wrapped up its fifth session in Hanoi on June 19, with three resolutions on economic targets, education financing and amendments to the Criminal Code.

Speaking at the closing meeting, NA chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said during the month-long session, opening on May 20, the legislative body has approved several resolutions and 11 bills to enhance State management and boost the country’s socio-economic development.

Deputies at the closing ceremony of the fifth session of the 12th National Assembly in Hanoi on June 19 (Photo: QDND)
Deputies at the closing ceremony of the fifth session of the 12th National Assembly in Hanoi on June 19 (Photo: QDND)

GDP growth target set at five percent

With over 90 percent voting in favor, the NA yesterday approved a resolution to adjust several targets for the country’s economic growth, State budget, additional issuance of government bonds and exemptions in personal income tax.

The country’s economic growth target is lowered to five percent and export growth rate to three percent, with the ratio of budget deficit to GDP is set at less than seven percent and inflation kept at below ten percent.

The assembly agreed to exempt personal income tax in the first six months of this year and continue to apply the exemption for income from capital investment, capital transfer, copyright transfer and franchises.

The NA agreed to the Government’s proposal to issue an additional VND20 trillion (US$1.1 billion) worth of bonds for key projects in transport, irrigation, healthcare and education.

Capital sentence kept for drug crime

The NA, with 88 percent voting in favor, passed a resolution on the amendments to the Criminal Code, including those on the death sentence.

Capital sentences are abolished for the following charges: rape; fraud; smuggling; counterfeiting, transport and use of counterfeited money, checks or bonds; hijacking aircraft or boats; giving bribes; and destroying military weapons and equipment.

The death sentence is maintained for drug dealing, storage and trafficking.

The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2010.

Tuition Fees

The NA also passed a resolution on changes to tuition fees for public education by 2015.

Under the resolution, an increase in tuition fees at state-owned universities and vocational training schools must be made following a reasonable roadmap, and a new tuition system will be officially applied from the 2010-11 school year.

For the 2009-10 year, a small increase will be applied as a transition to the new tuition system.

Tuition for pre-school and high school education must be suitable to incomes of people in each region. The tuition fees will be scrapped at a suitable time in the future. 

For the time being, tuition exemption or reduction for the two education levels is applied for children of poor families, low-income families, or individuals having made great contributions to the country.

Meanwhile, primary education continues to enjoy no tuition fees.

A 50 percent reduction in tuition will be given to students who enter vocational schools after graduation at junior high schools.

Outstanding graduates from high schools and students wining top prizes at national contests, or wining medals at international competitions, will be granted scholarships for their tertiary education.
One common deed for land use, house ownership

Under amendments to the Housing Law and Land Law passed by the NA, from August 1, 2009, only one certificate for land use right, house ownership and other land-related properties will be required.

This common certificate will be a standardized form and issued by the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment.

However, separate certificates of land-use rights, house ownership or construction work ownership granted before August 1, 2009 remain valid.

Owners of such certificates are not required to have them transformed into the single deed.

Strengthening food safety

The NA also approved a resolution on food hygiene and safety, asking the Government to submit a food safety bill for consideration and to prepare a national strategy for food hygiene and safety from 2011 to 2020.

It agreed to increase the State budget for the national program on food hygiene and safety from 2010.

The decentralization in control over food quality, hygiene and safety will be further made to local authorities, and the coordination between local and central agencies must be strengthened to improve the State management over this field, the NA agreed.

In addition, the resolution requires inspections be stepped up to detect and strictly punish violations of regulations on food quality, hygiene and safety.

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