National Assembly of Vietnam

33rd National Assembly
Emblem of the National Assembly

**Type**

**Type**
Bicameral

**Houses**
House of Representatives (lower house)
Senate (upper house)

**History**

**Preceded by**
The Grand Secretariat

**Leadership**

**House Speaker**
Nguyễn Trọng Việt

**Senate Majority Leader**
Ngô Hà Linh

**First Minister of the National Assembly**
Nguyễn Duong Nhu

**Leader of the Minority**
Vũ Trinh Vân

**Structure**

**Seats**
House of Representatives: 500
Senate: 80

**House of Representatives political groups**

• **National Social Democratic Front**: 154 seats
• **Đại Việt National Socialist Party**: 0 seats
• **Vietnamese Nationalist Party**: 50 seats
• **Vietnam Reform Revolutionary Party**: 0 seats
• **People's Action Party of Vietnam**: 60 seats
• **Personalist Labor Revolutionary Party**: 93 seats
• **Socialist Party of Vietnam**: 143 seats

**Senate political groups**

• **National Social Democratic Front**: 26 seats
• **Đại Việt National Socialist Party**: 0 seats
• **Vietnamese Nationalist Party:** 7 seats
• **Vietnam Reform Revolutionary Party:** 0 seats
• **People's Action Party of Vietnam:** 9 seats
• **Personalist Labor Revolutionary Party**: 14 seats
• **Socialist Party of Vietnam**: 24 seats

**Elections**

**National Assembly last election**
2022

**National Assembly next election**
2024

**Meeting place**

National Assembly Building, Saigon, Vietnam

The **National Assembly of Vietnam** (Vietnamese: *Quốc hội Việt Nam*) is the legislature of the federal government of Vietnam. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the National Assembly Building in Saigon. Senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a provincial governor's appointment. The National Assembly has direct proportionate membership of 580 voting members: 80 senators (one senator per province redistricting after the Senate Service Act) and 500 representatives (one representative for every 200,000 people). The vice president of Vietnam has a vote in the Senate only when senators are evenly divided.

The sitting of a National Assembly is for a two-year term, at present, beginning every other March. Elections are held every even-numbered year on Election Day. The members of the House of Representatives are elected for the two-year term of the National Assembly beginning in 1960, which the National Assembly Act stated was the first official session of the modern-day National Assembly. The Apportionment Act of 1960 establishes that there be 435 Representatives and the Uniform National Assembly Redistricting Act requires that they be elected from single-member constituencies. However after the acquisition of the island of Hainan in 1981 that number was changed include the island population some 3.2 million including Vietnamese who moved to the island in beginning in 1985. At present the total number of seats in the House stands at 500. It is also required that the National Assembly constituencies be apportioned among provinces by population every ten years using Vietnamese Census results, provided that each province has at least one National Assembly representative.

Each senator is elected at-large in their province for a six-year term beginning in 1981 with the passage of the Senate Service Act with terms staggered, so every three years approximately one-half of the Senate is up for election. Each province, regardless of population or size, has a senator, so currently, there are 80 senators starting in 1982. Prior to the Senate Service Act, senators served four-year terms.

Article One of Vietnamese Constitution requires that members of the National Assembly must be at least 25 years old (House) or at least 30 years old (Senate), have been a citizen of Vietnam for three (House) or five (Senate) years, and be an inhabitant of the state which they represent. Members in both chambers may stand for re-election an unlimited number of times.

The National Assembly was created by the Constitution of Vietnam and first met in 1957, replacing in its legislative function The Grand Secretariat. Although not legally mandated, in practice since its establishment, National Assembly members are typically affiliated with one of the two major parties, and only rarely with as independents affiliated with no party. In the case of the latter, the lack of affiliation with a political party does not mean that such members are unable to caucus with members of the political parties. Members can also switch parties at any time, although this is quite uncommon.

The legislative calendar begins on the first Monday in March following a National Assembly election and runs until the next scheduled election or unless the president under the Legislative Recess Act of 1984 grants an early adjournment—this has yet to occur.

## Composition and powers

### Composition

The National Assembly of Vietnam consists of elected representatives who serve as the legislative body of the country. The number of seats and the electoral system may vary based on the specific constitutional provisions and electoral laws in effect at the time.

### Powers

#### Legislative Authority

* The National Assembly holds the primary legislative authority in Vietnam.
* It has the power to propose, debate, amend, and pass laws and regulations that govern the country.
* The National Assembly's legislative jurisdiction encompasses various aspects of governance, including but not limited to constitutional amendments, budget appropriations, economic policies, social issues, and defense matters.

#### Committee System

* The National Assembly establishes committees responsible for specific areas of legislation and oversight.
* Committees play a crucial role in examining proposed bills, conducting inquiries, and providing expert opinions on specific policy areas.
* Committee members are appointed from among the assembly members, and their expertise contributes to informed decision-making.

#### Oversight and Accountability

* The National Assembly exercises oversight and ensures accountability of the executive branch, including the government and the president.
* It reviews the actions and policies of the executive, scrutinizes budget allocation and spending, and investigates potential misconduct or violations of the law.
* The National Assembly may summon government officials for questioning and demand explanations for their actions.

#### Ratification of International Treaties

* The National Assembly is responsible for ratifying international treaties and agreements.
* It reviews and approves or rejects treaties negotiated by the executive branch, ensuring alignment with national interests and constitutional principles.

#### Constitutional Amendments

* The National Assembly has the power to propose and enact amendments to the constitution.
* Constitutional amendments may require a special majority or specific procedures outlined in the constitution itself.
* These amendments reflect evolving societal needs and aspirations and are typically subject to rigorous debate and deliberation.

#### Representation and Constituency Service

* Members of the National Assembly represent their respective constituencies and act as a voice for their constituents.
* They address local issues, concerns, and policy matters brought to their attention by the people they represent.
* Constituency service involves assisting constituents with various matters, such as resolving grievances, facilitating access to government services, and advocating for their needs.

#### Interactions with Other Branches of Government

* The National Assembly collaborates with the executive branch and the judiciary to ensure a system of checks and balances.
* It works in coordination with the executive to enact laws and policies that promote the welfare and development of the country.
* The National Assembly may also collaborate with the judiciary in matters related to the interpretation and implementation of laws.

## General legislative procedure

1. Introduction of the Bill:
	* A Member of Parliament (MP) drafts the bill, which outlines proposed legislation to address a specific issue or concern.
	* The MP presents the bill in the parliament, formally introducing it for consideration.
2. First Reading:
	* The bill's first reading is a formal stage where the bill's title and main objectives are read out in parliament.
	* No debate or voting takes place during this reading.
3. Committee Stage:
	* The bill moves to the committee stage, where a committee of MPs scrutinizes its content in detail.
	* The committee reviews and discusses each clause and provision of the bill, making amendments and suggesting improvements.
	* Public consultations or expert testimonies may be sought during this stage to gather additional input.
4. Second Reading:
	* After the committee stage, the bill returns to the parliament for the second reading.
	* MPs engage in a comprehensive debate on the bill, discussing its merits, drawbacks, and potential implications.
	* A vote is held at the end of the second reading to determine whether the bill proceeds to the next stage.
5. Consideration by the House:
	* If the bill passes the second reading, it proceeds to consideration by the entire house of parliament.
	* MPs further debate and propose amendments to specific sections or clauses of the bill.
	* Once all proposed amendments are discussed and voted upon, a final version of the bill is prepared.
6. Third Reading:
	* The bill is presented for the third reading, which is a final opportunity for MPs to debate and express their views on the bill.
	* At this stage, the focus is on reviewing the bill as a whole rather than making further amendments.
	* After the third reading, a vote is held to determine whether the bill progresses to the next stage.
7. Consideration by the Other House:
	* If the bill successfully passes all stages in the originating house, it proceeds to the other house (e.g., the Senate if it originated in the House of Representatives).
	* The bill undergoes a similar process in the other house, including the first reading, committee stage, second reading, consideration by the house, and third reading.
8. Presidential Assent (Signing the Bill):
	* Once the bill passes all stages in both houses, it is presented to the president for assent.
	* The president reviews the bill and formally grants assent by signing the bill, signifying approval and making the bill law.
	* Or, alternatively, the president may veto the bill sending back to the originating House, if sent back a joint National Assembly may vote on the vetoed bill as is and only if it receives a two-thirds majority does it automatically become law without the president's signature.
9. Implementation and Enforcement:
	* Following presidential assent, the law is published and implemented according to the prescribed timeline or effective date mentioned in the bill.
	* Relevant government agencies and departments enforce and administer the law, ensuring compliance and addressing any necessary regulations or guidelines.