The first session of Vietnam’s 15th National Assembly (NA) opened in Hanoi on Tuesday morning and is scheduled to last until July 31.

Prior to the meeting, leaders of the Party, State, and NA deputies paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid wreaths at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument in the capital.

Following the opening remarks by Chairman of the 14th NA Vuong Dinh Hue, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the session.

Tran Thanh Man, vice-chairman of the 14th NA and deputy head of the National Election Council, then presented a report reviewing the elections of deputies to the 15th legislature and all-level people’s councils for the 2021-26 tenure.

During the session, the legislative body will elect and approve leadership positions, and mull over reports on socio-economic development and other major issues.

Lawmakers are scheduled to elect chairman of the 15th NA on Tuesday afternoon, before the new legislature chair takes the oath of office during a live ceremony.

They will elect the state president, prime minister, vice-state president, chief justice of the Supreme People’s Court, and prosecutor general of the Supreme People's Procuracy on the following working days.

The NA will also decide on the structure and number of Cabinet members, and ratify the appointment of deputy prime minister, ministers, and other Cabinet members.

A total of 499 deputies were previously expected to attend the session, but 17 of them were absent as they are participating in COVID-19 prevention and control efforts or being quarantined after coming into close contact with infected patients.

About 435 out of the 499 lawmakers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 while members of service units and the press have also received their vaccine shots.

The session was shortened by five days compared to the original plan due to the complicated developments of the pandemic.

It will conclude on July 31.

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