The 11th National Assembly (2002 - 2007) operated in the early years of the new century and new millennium. In this period, the world panorama was painted with contradictory colours. The global economy and social productive forces continued to develop vigorously and labour alliance and division, and international cooperation and integration became deeper. At the same time, unpredictable developments took place in the world’s political life. In this social setting, Vietnam obtained major successes after more than 15 years of national renewal while facing many challenges and difficulties.

The 11^th NA was aware of this inevitable trend for national development in the new era, and fully realised the Party’s guidelines on further national renewal, industrialisation, modernisation and international economic integration. It inherited and promoted the achievements and lessons of the previous NAs to make new and important progress, contributing to the nation’s common achievements, deserving the people’s confidence and meeting their wishes. This statement can be proved as follow:

First, the 11^th NA has successfully renewed itself in carrying out its functions and tasks.

Much progress has been made in its law-making process. Over the last five years, the NA adopted 84 laws and codes and 15 law-binding resolutions. The NA Standing Committee considered and passed 31 legal documents. The bills were carefully prepared to be more specific and closer to reality.

Supervision activities have been renewed in both content and form. The NA focused on handling urgent issues of public concern such as corruption, waste of public property, unplanned investment in capital construction, land planning and land use, the progress of major construction works, education quality, medical ethics, prices of medicines, traffic accidents and people’s complaints and denunciations. Supervision outcomes have strongly impacted the nation’s socio-economic life and created considerable changes in the organisation and operation of judiciary agencies.

NA commissions and deputies have developed their independent thinking and their capacity to analyse and propose policies and solutions, promote democracy and seriously discuss matters. As a result, the 11^th NA has effectively considered and decided numerous important matters, relating to the cabinet organisation, senior officials and the nation’s economic, political and external affairs.

The 11^th NA has obviously renewed its operation, particularly the law-making and supervision procedures and the procedures on deciding the country’s major projects. The holding of NA meetings has been improved. The consideration of giving comment upon and the adoption of bills, matters of supreme supervision, and putting questions to Government officials were all conducted in a democratic and open manner, which helped promote the collective wisdom of all NA deputies.

Second, the 11^th NA has worked closer to the people.

Similar to the Vietnamese State, the NA is of the people, by the people and for the people. This has been proved by all National Assemblies up to now. However, this NA has proved its particular closeness to the people.

Through their daily work, and particular through 22 occasions for contact with voters prior to and after each session, nearly 500 NA deputies have collected tens of thousands of voter opinions which exposed people’s thinking, demands and wishes. The NA deputies and NA agencies timely discussed and gave timely solutions to these comments.

Important Q & A sessions held at the Ba Dinh meeting hall were all broadcast live over the radio and TV. Millions of Vietnamese people inside and outside the country could listen and watch NA activities and share the atmosphere with the supreme people’s power agency. During its meetings, the NA promptly and effectively considered and handled not only the nation’s most important affairs, but also the most urgent issues in political, economic, cultural and social life. This shows the progress and advantages of Vietnam’s NA that not all parliaments in the world can experience and enjoy.

Third, the 11^th NA has broadened cooperation with friends far and near.

Thoroughly grasping the Party’s guidelines on independent, sovereign and multilateral external policies, the NA has broadened its external relations and strengthened bilateral and multilateral activities. The 11^th NA has consolidated and developed relations with neighbouring countries, particularly ASEAN and northeast Asian countries, accelerated relations with the US and the European Parliament, developed relations with parliaments in African and Central and Southern American countries, and gradually promoted traditional relations with countries in central and eastern Europe.

As a member of many inter-parliamentary organisations, Vietnam’s NA has made positive contributions and constructive initiatives to impulse effective multilateral cooperation. The 11^th NA successfully hosted many important meetings in Vietnam and actively participated in those held in other countries.

The NA’s external activities met three objectives. They helped consolidate and strengthen the international environment, favourable to the national construction and defence process; helped accelerate external economic relations and take the initiative to deeper integrate Vietnam in regional and global economies; and to further improve the international position of Vietnam and its NA.

Fourth, the 11^th NA has accumulated precious experiences for subsequent National Assemblies.

By reviewing its five-year operation and evaluating important successes and constraints, the 11^th NA has drawn precious experiences for the future. It understands that in all activities the NA should firmly grasp and closely follow the Party viewpoint and guidelines, strongly attach itself to the people, and should base itself on reality to settle social issues. It is also aware of the need to promote democracy, renew working methods, improve the capacity and effect of NA agencies, and encourage initiative and raise the sense of initiative of NA deputies, particularly full-time deputies.

The 11^th NA successfully concluded its term. After the 11^th meeting, the 11^th NA handed over important tasks to the next NA. The country is preparing for the general election of the 12^th National Assembly. We firmly believe in the success of the election to be held on May 20 and the next NA will inherit achievements and lessons from the 11^th and previous NAs. The 12^th NA and people elected deputies will further renew itself to operate more effectively. It will be a NA of wisdom and civilisation, deserve to be the supreme representative for the people and receive the supreme State power of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Member of the Party Central Committee
General Director of Radio the Voice of Vietnam