Vietnam’s 14th National Assembly began its fourth biannual session in Hanoi today, October 23, during which legislators will consider important socio-economic goals, including fighting corruption.

Following an opening speech by the legislature’s chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc briefed lawmakers on the results of the eco-social development plan for 2017, and details of the 2018 plan.

Held twice a year, the National Assembly sessions play a significant role in legislators’ decision making with regard to issues crucial to the country. The current session is scheduled to close on November 25.

During the month-long sitting, lawmakers are expected to adopt six draft laws, 12 draft resolutions and give opinions on nine other bills, National Assembly secretary general Nguyen Hanh Phuc told a press conference on October 20.

These include the revised law on public debt management, the amended law on forest protection and development, the revised law on fisheries, and the law on planning, as well as resolutions on socio-economic development, state budget estimation and allocations for 2018, Phuc elaborated.

The legislature is scheduled to spend 15 days discussing and deciding on several important issues, including crime prevention and control, settlement of complaints and denunciations, as well as anti-corruption.

Eleven out of 26 of the working days on the 13-point agenda, including the opening ceremony this morning, will be televised nationwide, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The 14th legislature for the 2016-21 tenure was elected in May 2016, with 496 members.

During its first biannual session from late July through mid-August the same year, the legislative body appointed Vietnam’s top political positions, including the state president and prime minister.

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