The second session of Vietnam's 16th National Assembly opened on the morning of October 17 at the Dien Hong Hall of the National Assembly House in Hanoi.
Vietnam Television VTV1 and Voice of Vietnam VOV1 broadcast the opening sitting live so voters and people across the country could follow it.
Before the opening, leaders of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front, together with National Assembly deputies, laid wreaths and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. A preparatory sitting was also held that morning.
The second session will run until November 21. It is divided into two phases: the first from October 17 to November 14, and the second from November 20 to 21. The session will last 28 days, including six Saturdays and one Sunday.
The legislature will recess from November 15 to 19. During that break, National Assembly committees, the Government and other agencies will review feedback, incorporate it into draft laws and resolutions, and complete the documents.
The National Assembly will consider and vote on 43 draft laws and resolutions during the session. They include amendments to the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Land Law, Real Estate Business Law and Housing Law, along with resolutions on implementing the amended Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
Lawmakers will also discuss four other bills: the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterway Code, amendments to the Food Safety Law, the Law on Commodity Derivatives Trading and the Law on Cultural Industry Development.
The National Assembly will also review socio-economic, financial and budgetary matters. Lawmakers will examine the report on the 2026 socio-economic development plan, adopt the 2027 plan, review 2026 state budget performance, and approve the state budget plan and central budget allocation for next year.
They will assess implementation of the 2026 public investment plan, consider a proposed plan for 2027, and approve the final accounts of the 2025 state budget.
As part of its supervisory work, the National Assembly will discuss a summary report on voters' and citizens' opinions and petitions, review reports on public reception, complaint handling and the resolution of citizen denunciations, and hold question-and-answer sessions.
The National Assembly is also expected to consider and adopt a resolution concluding the objectives set by Resolutions No. 38/2004/QH11 and No. 66/2013/QH13, marking the completion of the Ho Chi Minh Highway investment project. It will also consider the investment policy for the national target programme on crime prevention and control for 2026–2035.
Sources: Viet Nam News
