General Secretary Tô Lâm has stated that only a few urgent provisions of the Constitution will be amended this time, while any fundamental revision will be evaluated after the upcoming National Party Congress and a comprehensive review of the Party platform.
On the morning of May 5, during a group discussion in the National Assembly regarding the proposal to amend and supplement certain provisions of the 2013 Constitution, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that this important issue was scheduled earlier than usual to ensure sufficient time for delegates to study and contribute ideas. He affirmed that only a few articles would be revised to address pressing needs, based on careful preparation by relevant agencies.
“If feasible, we will consider fundamental constitutional revisions later—but that must wait until after the next Congress,” the General Secretary said. He added that such changes should be based on an overall assessment of the Party platform and the country’s development direction after four decades of reform, ensuring alignment with national strategic goals. He encouraged National Assembly deputies to gather public opinion and actively contribute to the process of constitutional and legal development.
Earlier, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Khắc Định presented a proposal from the National Assembly Standing Committee on amendments to the 2013 Constitution. A Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee is proposed, consisting of 15 members, primarily central agency leaders, chaired by National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn.
The committee will be responsible for preparing the draft resolution to amend the Constitution and submit it to the National Assembly for discussion. It will also organize public consultations, collect feedback from various sectors, and refine the draft based on public input for final approval during the 9th session.
This drafting committee is authorized to use the official seal of the National Assembly, with the Standing Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs acting as the permanent body. The committee will be supported with the necessary resources to fulfill its responsibilities.
Given the limited scope of the amendments—expected to affect 8 out of 120 articles—the Standing Committee recommends using a National Assembly resolution as the legislative instrument. Since the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), the country has adopted five constitutions, each reflecting different development stages. The 2013 Constitution represents the comprehensive reform era, affirming the roles and relationships of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, and the administrative units at the provincial, district, and commune levels.
After more than 11 years of implementation, the 2013 Constitution has laid the groundwork for strengthening the political system. However, the Standing Committee believes further improvements are needed to meet current development needs.
Streamlining Mass Organizations Under the Fatherland Front
According to the amendment report, the National Assembly Standing Committee proposes restructuring socio-political and mass organizations to come under the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
Article 9 is expected to be amended to clarify the Party’s leadership over the Fatherland Front, reaffirming its position as a component of the political system, a political foundation for the people’s government, and a hub for unity, public will, and people’s rights.
The Front will act as a coordinating body, unifying social classes and organizations, representing and protecting people’s legitimate rights and interests, promoting democracy, enhancing consensus, conducting supervision and social critique, and participating in the development of the Party and the State.
The Standing Committee suggests a general provision stating that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Vietnam Farmers’ Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Women’s Union, and Vietnam Veterans’ Association are socio-political organizations under the Vietnam Fatherland Front. These groups would be formed voluntarily, act in the interests of their members, and operate uniformly under the Front’s leadership, engaging in democratic consultation and unified actions.
Article 10 of the Constitution will also be reviewed to reflect the role of trade unions, consistent with Article 4, when positioned under the Fatherland Front. Additional provisions will recognize trade unions’ role in representing workers domestically and internationally.
Article 84 is expected to be revised to remove the provision allowing central agencies of member organizations within the Front to submit legislative proposals directly to the National Assembly Standing Committee.
Local Government Reorganized into Two Levels
Article 110 may be amended to outline a two-tier administrative system: provinces/centrally-run cities and their sub-units—rather than the current three-tier structure. The Law on Local Government Organization will define commune-level units such as wards or special administrative zones, ensuring constitutional stability while allowing administrative restructuring.
Technical updates are also proposed, such as removing the phrase "local government level" and adding transitional provisions to ensure uninterrupted governance during mergers or adjustments.
According to the National Assembly Standing Committee, these amendments are in line with directives from the Politburo, Secretariat, and Central Resolution 60 to consolidate political and mass organizations under the Vietnam Fatherland Front. They also support streamlining local government into two efficient levels and enhancing decentralization based on the principle: “Localities decide, implement, and are accountable.”
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