Vigorous debate is expected on establishment of a property tax, energy-saving, cooking safety, and a number of other issues during the National Assembly’s month-long autumn session.

With a full plate of work, the National Assembly convenes for its autumn session on October 20.

As usual, its members will hear reports from the Government on the economic outlook, social issues and the budget estimates for next year. Particular attention will be given to special reports on the Dung Quat oil refinery (Quang Ngai province), the massive Son La hydropower project, plans to bring five million more hectares under cultivation, and the plan to build the Ho Chi Minh Highway, a major new north-south artery.

The Assembly will be asked to examine and approve the main elements of plans to build Vietnam’s first nuclear reactor at a site in Ninh Thuan province and another large hydropower station in Lai Chau province.

Apparently prompted by widespread concern about the uses to which state-owned companies have put funds from the national budget – for example resort development – the NA leadership announced on October 16 that it has scheduled a debate on the subject and arranged for it to be telecast live.

Individual members of the 493 member Assembly have the right to propose debate on any subject of public concern, and some do. At the NA’s spring session, considerable concern was expressed about the Central Highlands bauxite development projects.

NA sessions in recent years have featured vigorous and probing debate on draft laws. Members often question Government ministers sharply. On the agenda of this session, the current 12^th Assembly’s sixth, are debate and decisions on proposed revisions to a number of fundamental laws.

A number of these proposals attracted a good deal of public attention when they were discussed in committee meetings and sessions of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee. They include:

Property Tax Reform: The proposal would establish a progressive tax based on the construction cost of all buildings owned by one person. It is proposed by the Finance Ministry as ‘anti-speculation’ and is likely to be vigorously debated. The proposed tax is set at a level that is unlikely to impact most citizens, especially those living in rural areas. Residential land, houses, apartments and land for commercial purposes other than cultivation are currently not subject to property taxes.

A Law on Energy Efficiency: Relative to its neighbors as well as to the ‘developed’ countries, Vietnam uses an extraordinarily large of energy relative to its goods production, or GDP. This is in large part a legacy of the ‘central planning’ period prior to 1990. Hoping to slow growing demand for power, the Government is proposing to introduce energy use standards in various industries, vehicles and home appliances. The proposed legislation is likely to prompt wide ranging debate on various energy futures and associated impacts on Vietnam’s environment.

A Food Safety Law: The NA’s Science, Technology and Environment Committee has been working with Government agencies on the design of a bill that will address the duties of ‘individuals and organizations in the food supply chain,’ address safety standards for food and clarify local officials’ responsibility for the management of ‘street food’ vendors.

Taxes on the Exploitation of Natural Resources (Severance Taxes): Fees for the right to mine minerals, log forests, etc. are currently established by ordinance. The proposed Law would set a percentage range for taxes on each category of resource.

A Law on (protection of) Handicapped Persons.

Revision of the Law on Adoptions: On the heels of the spectacular trial in Nam Dinh province of a ring of ‘baby-sellers’ serving the demand of would-be adoptive parents in other countries and the decision of several countries to suspend adoptions from Vietnam, the discussion of these amendments will surely attract considerable attention.

Amendments to the Corporate Income Tax Law.

LookAtVietnam will update the detailed contents of this session.

VNS/ NA website/VietNamNet