In attendance at the voter meeting were the following National Assembly delegates: Mr. Le Quang Manh, Central Party Committee Member, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Head of the Can Tho City National Assembly Delegation; Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Standing Member of the Economic Committee of the National Assembly; Major General Nguyen Van Thuan, Director of the Can Tho City Police Department; Mr. Dao Chi Nghia, Deputy Head of the Can Tho City National Assembly Delegation; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Chairman of the University Council of Can Tho University; leaders from central and local ministries, departments, agencies, as well as over 200 voters representing businesses and the labor force in the Can Tho area.

The 5th session of the 15th National Assembly, scheduled to take place from May 22nd to June 23rd, will continue to fulfill its three important functions of legislation, deciding on crucial national issues, and exercising supreme oversight. According to the agenda, the National Assembly is expected to review and pass opinions on nearly 20 draft laws; make decisions on important economic and social issues, and policy mechanisms; decide on personnel matters, and address various other important content.

At the voter meeting, the Can Tho City National Assembly Delegation reported on the expected agenda of the 5th session of the 15th National Assembly and the implementation of certain policies and laws related to businesses and the labor force in the city during the past period. They also collected and acknowledged the opinions and recommendations of the voters in order to compile a report and reflect them to the relevant authorities for resolution according to the regulations.

Voters acknowledge and highly appreciate the Party and the State for their timely and effective guidance and solutions that have helped maintain stability and promote economic growth in the country amidst global economic uncertainties. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The voters acknowledge and highly appreciate the Party and the State for providing numerous timely and effective directions and solutions that have helped maintain stability and promote economic growth in the country amidst the global economic uncertainties. The Government, the Prime Minister has issued important policies aimed at overcoming difficulties and obstacles for businesses, citizens, and workers. These policies demonstrate dynamism, courage in thinking, and a willingness to take action.

The workers, who are also voters, have put forward proposals and recommendations regarding worker salaries, investment in building cultural institutions for workers, housing policies and accommodations for workers, constructing daycare centers in industrial zones, measures to prevent and address issues of black credit, fraud, and property appropriation through telecommunications networks, protecting the rights and benefits of workers during the amendment of the Social Insurance Law (one-time social insurance contribution, insurance premiums, and retirement age), and addressing the issue of enterprises' debts to the Social Insurance Fund.

The business leaders, who are also voters, are concerned about the issue of supporting businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in accessing, expanding, and seeking market; supporting workforce training. They also suggest early investment in completing the Dinh An - Song Hau waterway and the high-speed railway route from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho to help businesses overcome difficulties in connectivity, reduce product costs, enhance competitiveness, and supply goods to the market.

After representatives from central agencies (Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) and the leaders of Can Tho City provided answers, and explanations, and took into account the opinions and recommendations of the voters within their jurisdiction, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech, responded, and received voters' opinions.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: "The greater the pressure, the greater the effort" - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Obstacles must be overcome, challenges must be surpassed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the 5th session of the 15th National Assembly carries a heavy workload and significant content, which has been thoroughly prepared. This includes engaging and listening to the opinions of the voters. During this interaction, the voters showed great interest in the socio-economic situation, issues of security, safety, public welfare, employment, livelihood, improve material and spiritual well-being, insurance, wages, labor policies, and regulations. These are the issues that accurately reflect the realities, and the responses from the relevant authorities have been straightforward and fundamentally met the expectations of the voters.

The Prime Minister stated that immediately after the 4th session of the National Assembly, relevant agencies focused on addressing the concerns and recommendations of the voters. They also implemented policies, tasks, and solutions that were decided and approved during the session, such as advancing the planning work and the implementation of the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.

The Prime Minister evaluates that in the recent period, the affirmation "the situation has difficulties, challenges, opportunities, and favorable conditions intertwined, but the difficulties and challenges outweigh the opportunities and favorable conditions" remains valid, especially due to the prolonged impact and consequences of COVID-19 and the continuing rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable global situation. By early May, the World Health Organization officially declared that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global health emergency.

However, with the spirit of "There is always a way up the highest mountain/There is always a path through even the most treacherous and difficult road", "The greater the pressure, the greater the effort" and under the leadership of the Party, led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the accompanying and supervisory role of the National Assembly, the active participation of the entire political system, the solidarity and support of the people and businesses, and the assistance of international friends, we have successfully overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. We have implemented a successful vaccine strategy, becoming one of the leading countries in the world in terms of vaccine coverage rate. We have shifted towards safe, flexible, and effective disease control measures, reopened early, and recovered and developed our economy and society.

Representatives of the Can Tho City National Assembly Delegation have received of the recommendations from voters. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In 2022, Vietnam achieved a remarkable growth rate of 8.02%, which stands out in the region and the world. In the early months of 2023, we continue to achieve the overall goals of maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, promoting growth, ensuring major economic balances, stabilizing and improving people's lives, maintaining political stability, ensuring social order and safety, strengthening national defense and security, and advancing international integration.

Taking a broader perspective, after years of war and sanctions, and over 35 years of renovation, we have achieved significant and historically meaningful accomplishments. Our country has never had the current level of resources, potential, international standing, and reputation. As of now, Vietnam's economy has reached a scale of $409 billion, with an average per capita income of $4,110.

However, alongside these achievements, we still face numerous difficulties and challenges stemming from external impacts and internal issues that have accumulated over a long period of time. These challenges become apparent during difficult times, as Vietnam is still a developing country with a transitioning economy. Despite the relatively small scale of our economy, its high degree of openness means that even small external impacts can have significant effects internally.

Specifically, the major export markets of Vietnam are narrowing, and the bond and real estate markets continue to pose difficulties with ongoing issues that need to be addressed. The production, business, employment, and livelihoods of the people and businesses still face numerous challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome, including access to capital. There is also a presence of a sense of irresponsibility among a segment of officials and civil servants. Administrative procedures remain cumbersome, and there is a need for further decentralization and delegation of power. The application of science, technology, and digital transformation needs to be more proactive and positive…

The Prime Minister emphasizes the requirement to "obstacles must be solved, challenges must be overcome" and remains steadfast in the goal of stabilizing the macroeconomy, controlling inflation, promoting growth, ensuring major economic balances, stabilizing and improving people's lives, maintaining political stability, ensuring social order and safety, strengthening national defense and security, and enhancing international integration and diplomacy.

The Prime Minister presents 12 specific tasks and solutions that are currently being implemented and will be further strengthened in the future - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

Focusing on promoting three growth drivers.

The Prime Minister emphasizes 12 specific tasks and solutions that are currently being implemented and will be further strengthened in the future.

These include focusing on resolving institutional, regulatory, and policy-related difficulties and obstacles. Additionally, efforts will continue to be made to overcome the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, promote rapid recovery, and ensure sustainable development. There will be a push to enhance production and business activities, expand markets, and diversify market segments, products, and supply chains, particularly targeting niche markets, the Middle East market, and countries with a demand for Halal food products. The objective is to create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods for the people.

In addition, the focus is on promoting three growth drivers (investment, export, and consumption) and addressing difficulties faced by businesses through measures such as tax, fee, and rental payment extensions or reductions, debt rescheduling, interest rate reductions. It also involves strengthening decentralization, delegation of authority, administrative procedure reforms, digital transformation, and cost reduction for both individuals and businesses. The Prime Minister once again emphasizes the need to continue implementing a firm, proactive, timely, flexible, and effective monetary policy, as well as an expanded fiscal policy that is focused, prioritized, flexible, and effective.

Regarding investment, the Prime Minister affirms the strong disbursement of public investment, using public investment to lead private investment, and activating all social resources. There will be mechanisms and policies to enhance the absorptive capacity of the economy.

Regarding the task of promoting three strategic breakthroughs (institutional improvement, human resource development, strategic infrastructure construction), the Prime Minister stated that in this term, approximately VND 400 trillion has been allocated for transportation infrastructure and the Mekong Delta region, with a priority given to investment capital for expressway projects. Relevant agencies have also reported to the competent authorities and are currently preparing for the construction of high-speed railways, with priority given to the Mekong Delta region.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to focus on ensuring social security and accelerate the implementation of the program to construct one million units of social housing and workers' housing - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to focus on ensuring social security and accelerate the implementation of the program to construct one million units of social housing and workers' housing. Furthermore, there is a need to develop comprehensive institutions in terms of culture, healthcare infrastructure, education, and more.

In addition, it is important to maintain political stability, ensure social order and safety, and enhance national defense and security. Effective implementation of Directive 15 by the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on economic diplomacy serving the country's development until 2030 is also crucial. Furthermore, there should be further efforts in regional planning, sectoral planning, and provincial planning.

At the same time, it is important to enhance the work of preventing and combating corruption, and negative practices, and ensuring strict, fair, and lawful handling of individuals who violate the law, engage in embezzlement, corruption, or cause economic harm. Those who commit such offenses must be prosecuted and held accountable. Additionally, it is important not to criminalize economic relationships and to encourage and protect those who act in accordance with the law. Prevention should be fundamental, regulated, strategic, and long-term, with regular efforts to combat corruption, with a focus on key areas and priorities.

Building an efficient and effective streamlined system, establishing a team of competent, qualified, and reputable officials capable of meeting requirements; enhancing responsibility and implementing measures to create a safe legal environment for officials to work in; motivating and encouraging them to think boldly, act courageously, and take responsibility for the collective work.

The Prime Minister suggests that all levels and sectors continue to compile, explain, absorb, and resolve proposals and recommendations from voters, regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the respective levels and sectors. Each level and sector must handle and address these matters thoroughly.

Regarding proposals and recommendations that exceed the jurisdiction, the People's Committee of Can Tho City will compile and submit them to the Government, the Prime Minister, and the relevant ministries and agencies for resolution according to regulations. For issues within the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, the Delegation of National Assembly Deputies of Can Tho City will compile and report them to the National Assembly for consideration and decision-making.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister expresses gratitude for the collaboration of the local authorities in enabling the Government and ministries to fulfill their functions, duties, and powers. The Government will continue to propose solutions to the National Assembly to overcome issues, difficulties, and obstacles, all in pursuit of the assigned tasks. The Prime Minister is confident that the upcoming session will be successful and bring practical benefits to the people and businesses.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegation of National Assembly members from Can Tho distributed gifts and provided encouragement to 300 trade union members and workers facing difficult circumstances. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

During the meeting with the voters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegation of National Assembly members from Can Tho distributed gifts and provided encouragement to 300 trade union members and workers facing difficult circumstances.