National Assembly of Vietnam
Encyclopedia
The Constitution of Vietnam recognizes the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as "the highest organ of state power." The National Assembly, a 493-member unicameral
body elected to a five-year term, meets twice a year. The assembly appoints the President
(head of state
), the Prime Minister
(head of government
), the Chief Justice
of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam
, the Head of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
(or 'Supreme People's Office of Supervision and Inspection'), and the 21-member Cabinet
(the executive
). Ultimately, however, the Communist Party of Viet Nam
(CPV) has great influence over the executive and exercises control through the 150-member Central Committee
, which elects the 15-member Politburo
at national party congresses held every five years. Members of the party hold all senior government positions.
Constitutionally, the National Assembly is the highest government organization and the highest-level representative body of the people. It has the power to draw up, adopt, and amend the constitution
and to make and amend laws. It also has the responsibility to legislate and implement state plans and budgets. Through its constitution-making powers it defines its own role and the roles of the Vietnamese State President
, the Vietnamese Government, the local people's councils and people's committees, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuracy. The assembly can elect and remove members
of the Council of Ministers, the chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, and the procurator general of the People's Supreme Organ of Control. Finally, it has the power to initiate or conclude wars and to assume other duties and powers it deems necessary. The term of each session of the National Assembly is five years, and meetings are convened twice a year, or more frequently if called for by the Council of State.
Formerly, despite its many formal duties, the National Assembly existed mainly as a legislative arm of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV). It converted Political Bureau resolutions into laws and decrees and mobilizes popular support for them. In this role, the National Assembly is led by the Council of Ministers acting through the Council of State and a variable number of special-purpose committees. Actual debate on legislation does not occur. Instead, a bill originates in the Council of Ministers, which registers the bill and assigns a key party member to present it on the floor. Before presentation, the member will have received detailed instructions from the party caucus in the assembly, which has held study sessions regarding the proposed legislation. Once the legislation is presented, members vote according to party guidelines.
However, recently, the National Assembly has gradually been more active and covered in Vietnam's political life. Although most of the legislations still originate from the government, such legislations are now more hotly debated in the National Assembly and attract more audiences. In 2009, among the much-debated legislations are the ones regarding Vietnam's bauxite project in the Central Highlands and Vietnam's plan for new nuclear power stations in Ninh Thuan.
. This Congress supported Viet Minh
's nation-wide general uprising policy against Japanese and French forces in Vietnam. It also appointed the National Liberation Committee (Uỷ ban dân tộc giải phóng) as a provisional government.
After a series of events which was later called collectively as the "August Revolution
", Viet Minh
seized the power all over the country, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Việt Nam dân chủ cộng hoà) was declared by Hồ Chí Minh
in Hanoi
on September 2, 1945. On January 6, 1946, the first general election ever in Vietnam was held all over the country in which all people 18-year old or older were eligible to vote.
The first session of the First National Assembly (Quốc hội khoá I) took place on March 2, 1946 with nearly 300 deputies in the Great Theatre of Hanoi. Nguyen Văn Tố was appointed as the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee. The First National Assembly approved Hồ Chí Minh
as the head of government and his cabinet, and the former-Emperor Bảo Đại
as the Supreme Advisor. The second session, Bùi Bằng Đoàn was appointed to be the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee. Since 1948, Tôn Đức Thắng is Acting Chairman and since 1955 is Chairman of the Standing Committee, while Đoàn died.
The first and second Constitutions of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam were passed by this National Assembly in 1946 and 1960, respectively.
The term of the First National Assembly was prolonged (14 years) due to the war situation in Vietnam, particularly the partition of Vietnam
according to the Geneva Accords
1954. From 1954 to 1976, the National Assembly's activities were only effective in North Vietnam
.
Due to the partition of Vietnam
and the declaration of the Republic of Vietnam in the South, a nation-wide general election could not be organized. The Second National Assembly was formed by 362 elected deputies of the North and 91 deputies of the South from the First National Assembly who continued their term. Trường Chinh
was appointed as the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee and held this position until 1981.
The Third National Assembly consisted of 366 elected deputies from the North and 87 deputies continuing their term. The Third National Assembly's term was prolonged due to the war situation. President Hồ Chí Minh
died during the Third National Assembly's term, and was succeeded by Tôn Đức Thắng.
Four hundred and twenty deputies were elected for the Fourth National Assembly. During fourth term, the U.S. withdrew its troops from Vietnam in accordance with Paris Peace Accords
1973.
The Fifth National Assembly consisted of 424 elected deputies. The fifth term was the shortest National Assembly's term as it was shortened to organize the nation-wide general election after the re-unification of Vietnam
.
This was the first election following the reunification of the North and South and the voters selected 492 members, of which 243 represented the South and 249 the North. In this term, the National Assembly adopted the name the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hoà xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) for the re-unified country, merged corresponding organizations between the Government of North Vietnam
and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, and re-named Saigon as Ho Chi Minh City
. It also approved the new Constitution in 1980.
The Seventh National Assembly and its 496 members witnessed the end of the Vietnamese centralized and heavily-planned economy and the CPV
's launch of the Renewal Policy (Vietnamese
: Đổi mới) to adopt market economy. Trường Chinh
was elected as Chairman of the State Council
and Nguyen Huu Tho was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly.
In previous elections, because successful candidates were chosen in advance, the electoral process was not genuine. No one could run for office unless approved by the Communist Party, and in many cases the local body of the party simply appointed the candidates. Nevertheless, every citizen had a duty to vote, and, although the balloting was secret, the electorate, through electoral study sessions, received directives from the party concerning who should be elected. The elections in 1987, however, were comparatively open by Vietnamese standards. It was evident that the party was tolerating a wider choice in candidates and more debate.
The 1987 election chose 496 deputies for the Eighth National Assembly. In this term, the National Assembly approved the 1992 Constitution, in which the citizen's personal ownership of properties in business was guaranteed. Lê Quang Đạo
was appointed to be the National Assembly's Chairman.
The 1992 election established the first National Assembly after the 1992 Constitution came into effect. From this term, the National Assembly's agenda has been filled with law-making procedures to serve the Đổi mới Policy. Nông Đức Mạnh was elected as the National Assembly's Chairman and he served this position until 2001.
During the tenth term, Chairman Nông Đức Mạnh was chosen to be the CPV's Secretary-General in its Ninth Congress and ceased his role as the National Assembly's Chairman. Nguyễn Văn An
was appointed to replace Mạnh.
National Assembly consisted of 498 elected deputies. On 2002 Nguyễn Văn An elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
On June 26, 2006, Mr. Nguyễn Phú Trọng was elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly .
The Twelfth National Assembly (2007–2011) numbers 493 members. In this term, Nguyễn Phú Trọng was officially elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
National Assembly consisted of 500 elected deputies. In this term, Nguyen Sinh Hung was officially elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly. NA Vice Chairpersons: Tong Thi Phong, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Uong Chu Luu and Huynh Ngoc Son.
Unicameralism
In government, unicameralism is the practice of having one legislative or parliamentary chamber. Thus, a unicameral parliament or unicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of one chamber or house...
body elected to a five-year term, meets twice a year. The assembly appoints the President
President of Vietnam
The President of Vietnam is the head of state of Vietnam, although the functions of the President are often ceremonial...
(head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
), the Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
(head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
), the Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam
Supreme People's Court of Vietnam
The Supreme People's Court of Vietnam is the highest court and the Court of Appeal in Vietnam. It functions under the authority of the National Assembly of Vietnam.Judges are appointed by the National Assembly of Vietnam for five year terms....
, the Head of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
The Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam is responsible for prosecutions and legal matters. It functions like the prosecutor’s office or attorney general’s office in Western countries – see public procurator and procurator.-Operations:...
(or 'Supreme People's Office of Supervision and Inspection'), and the 21-member Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
(the executive
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
). Ultimately, however, the Communist Party of Viet Nam
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
(CPV) has great influence over the executive and exercises control through the 150-member Central Committee
Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam established 1930, is the highest authority within the Communist Party of Vietnam elected by the Party National Congresses...
, which elects the 15-member Politburo
Politburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
at national party congresses held every five years. Members of the party hold all senior government positions.
Constitutionally, the National Assembly is the highest government organization and the highest-level representative body of the people. It has the power to draw up, adopt, and amend the constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
and to make and amend laws. It also has the responsibility to legislate and implement state plans and budgets. Through its constitution-making powers it defines its own role and the roles of the Vietnamese State President
President of Vietnam
The President of Vietnam is the head of state of Vietnam, although the functions of the President are often ceremonial...
, the Vietnamese Government, the local people's councils and people's committees, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuracy. The assembly can elect and remove members
of the Council of Ministers, the chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, and the procurator general of the People's Supreme Organ of Control. Finally, it has the power to initiate or conclude wars and to assume other duties and powers it deems necessary. The term of each session of the National Assembly is five years, and meetings are convened twice a year, or more frequently if called for by the Council of State.
Formerly, despite its many formal duties, the National Assembly existed mainly as a legislative arm of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
(CPV). It converted Political Bureau resolutions into laws and decrees and mobilizes popular support for them. In this role, the National Assembly is led by the Council of Ministers acting through the Council of State and a variable number of special-purpose committees. Actual debate on legislation does not occur. Instead, a bill originates in the Council of Ministers, which registers the bill and assigns a key party member to present it on the floor. Before presentation, the member will have received detailed instructions from the party caucus in the assembly, which has held study sessions regarding the proposed legislation. Once the legislation is presented, members vote according to party guidelines.
However, recently, the National Assembly has gradually been more active and covered in Vietnam's political life. Although most of the legislations still originate from the government, such legislations are now more hotly debated in the National Assembly and attract more audiences. In 2009, among the much-debated legislations are the ones regarding Vietnam's bauxite project in the Central Highlands and Vietnam's plan for new nuclear power stations in Ninh Thuan.
History of the National Assembly of Vietnam
The precursor of the current National Assembly of Vietnam was the National Representatives' Congress (Đại hội đại biểu quốc dân), convened on August 16, 1945 in the northern province of Tuyên QuangTuyên Quang Province
Tuyên Quang is a province of Vietnam, located in the northeastern part of the country to the northwest of Hanoi, at the centre of Lo River valley, a tributary of the Red River. The delta formation in the province is called the Tonkin Delta. Its capital is Tuyên Quang Township...
. This Congress supported Viet Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
's nation-wide general uprising policy against Japanese and French forces in Vietnam. It also appointed the National Liberation Committee (Uỷ ban dân tộc giải phóng) as a provisional government.
- The First National Assembly (1946–1960)
After a series of events which was later called collectively as the "August Revolution
August Revolution
On August 19, 1945, the Việt Minh under Hồ Chí Minh began the August General Uprising Tổng Khởi Nghĩa, which was soon renamed the August Revolution . Whether or not this series of events should be called a "revolution" is disputable; what is clear is that, from August 19 onwards, demonstrations and...
", Viet Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
seized the power all over the country, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Việt Nam dân chủ cộng hoà) was declared by Hồ Chí Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
on September 2, 1945. On January 6, 1946, the first general election ever in Vietnam was held all over the country in which all people 18-year old or older were eligible to vote.
The first session of the First National Assembly (Quốc hội khoá I) took place on March 2, 1946 with nearly 300 deputies in the Great Theatre of Hanoi. Nguyen Văn Tố was appointed as the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee. The First National Assembly approved Hồ Chí Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
as the head of government and his cabinet, and the former-Emperor Bảo Đại
Bảo Đài
Bảo Đài is a commune and village in Lục Nam District, Bac Giang Province, in northeastern Vietnam.-References:...
as the Supreme Advisor. The second session, Bùi Bằng Đoàn was appointed to be the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee. Since 1948, Tôn Đức Thắng is Acting Chairman and since 1955 is Chairman of the Standing Committee, while Đoàn died.
The first and second Constitutions of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam were passed by this National Assembly in 1946 and 1960, respectively.
The term of the First National Assembly was prolonged (14 years) due to the war situation in Vietnam, particularly the partition of Vietnam
Partition of Vietnam
The Partition of Vietnam was the establishment of the 17th parallel as the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone in 1954, splitting Vietnam into halves after the First Indochina War.The Geneva Conference was held at the conclusion of the First Indochina War...
according to the Geneva Accords
Geneva accords
The Geneva Accords, known formally as the agreements on the settlement of the situation relating to Afghanistan, were signed on 14 April 1988 between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the United States and the Soviet Union serving as guarantors....
1954. From 1954 to 1976, the National Assembly's activities were only effective in North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
.
- The Second National Assembly (1960–1964)
Due to the partition of Vietnam
Partition of Vietnam
The Partition of Vietnam was the establishment of the 17th parallel as the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone in 1954, splitting Vietnam into halves after the First Indochina War.The Geneva Conference was held at the conclusion of the First Indochina War...
and the declaration of the Republic of Vietnam in the South, a nation-wide general election could not be organized. The Second National Assembly was formed by 362 elected deputies of the North and 91 deputies of the South from the First National Assembly who continued their term. Trường Chinh
Truong Chinh
Trường Chinh Trường Chinh Trường Chinh (pseudonym meaning “Long March”, born Đặng Xuân Khu (b. February 9, 1907 in Xuân Trường District, Nam Định Province, d. September 30, 1988 in Hanoi) was a Vietnamese communist political leader and theoretician. From 1941 to 1957, he was Vietnam's second-ranked...
was appointed as the Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee and held this position until 1981.
- The Third National Assembly (1964–1971)
The Third National Assembly consisted of 366 elected deputies from the North and 87 deputies continuing their term. The Third National Assembly's term was prolonged due to the war situation. President Hồ Chí Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
died during the Third National Assembly's term, and was succeeded by Tôn Đức Thắng.
- The Fourth National Assembly (1971–1975)
Four hundred and twenty deputies were elected for the Fourth National Assembly. During fourth term, the U.S. withdrew its troops from Vietnam in accordance with Paris Peace Accords
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the Vietnam War, ended direct U.S. military involvement, and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam...
1973.
- The Fifth National Assembly (1975–1976)
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
.
- The Sixth National Assembly (1976–1981)
This was the first election following the reunification of the North and South and the voters selected 492 members, of which 243 represented the South and 249 the North. In this term, the National Assembly adopted the name the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hoà xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) for the re-unified country, merged corresponding organizations between the Government of North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, and re-named Saigon as Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
. It also approved the new Constitution in 1980.
- The Seventh National Assembly (1981–1987)
The Seventh National Assembly and its 496 members witnessed the end of the Vietnamese centralized and heavily-planned economy and the CPV
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
's launch of the Renewal Policy (Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
: Đổi mới) to adopt market economy. Trường Chinh
Truong Chinh
Trường Chinh Trường Chinh Trường Chinh (pseudonym meaning “Long March”, born Đặng Xuân Khu (b. February 9, 1907 in Xuân Trường District, Nam Định Province, d. September 30, 1988 in Hanoi) was a Vietnamese communist political leader and theoretician. From 1941 to 1957, he was Vietnam's second-ranked...
was elected as Chairman of the State Council
President of Vietnam
The President of Vietnam is the head of state of Vietnam, although the functions of the President are often ceremonial...
and Nguyen Huu Tho was elected as Chairman of the National Assembly.
- The Eighth National Assembly (1987–1992)
In previous elections, because successful candidates were chosen in advance, the electoral process was not genuine. No one could run for office unless approved by the Communist Party, and in many cases the local body of the party simply appointed the candidates. Nevertheless, every citizen had a duty to vote, and, although the balloting was secret, the electorate, through electoral study sessions, received directives from the party concerning who should be elected. The elections in 1987, however, were comparatively open by Vietnamese standards. It was evident that the party was tolerating a wider choice in candidates and more debate.
The 1987 election chose 496 deputies for the Eighth National Assembly. In this term, the National Assembly approved the 1992 Constitution, in which the citizen's personal ownership of properties in business was guaranteed. Lê Quang Đạo
Lê Quang Đạo
Lê Quang Đạo was born Ha Bac Province, north Vietnam. He member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1960 to 1991, chairman of the National Assembly and also one of the Vice Chairmen of the State Council of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 1987 to 1992....
was appointed to be the National Assembly's Chairman.
- The Ninth National Assembly (1992–1997)
The 1992 election established the first National Assembly after the 1992 Constitution came into effect. From this term, the National Assembly's agenda has been filled with law-making procedures to serve the Đổi mới Policy. Nông Đức Mạnh was elected as the National Assembly's Chairman and he served this position until 2001.
- The Tenth National Assembly (1997–2002)
During the tenth term, Chairman Nông Đức Mạnh was chosen to be the CPV's Secretary-General in its Ninth Congress and ceased his role as the National Assembly's Chairman. Nguyễn Văn An
Nguyen Van An
Nguyễn Văn An was the National Assembly Chairman of Vietnam. Appointed on 27 June, An was a proponent of government and administrative reform. He was re-elected on 23 July 2002. On 24 June 2006 he resigned, citing his age and the need for a new generation of leaders to take over.-References:...
was appointed to replace Mạnh.
- The Eleventh National Assembly (2002–2007)
National Assembly consisted of 498 elected deputies. On 2002 Nguyễn Văn An elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
On June 26, 2006, Mr. Nguyễn Phú Trọng was elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly .
- The Twelfth National Assembly (2007–2011)
The Twelfth National Assembly (2007–2011) numbers 493 members. In this term, Nguyễn Phú Trọng was officially elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
- 13 th National Assembly National Assembly (2011–2016)
National Assembly consisted of 500 elected deputies. In this term, Nguyen Sinh Hung was officially elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly. NA Vice Chairpersons: Tong Thi Phong, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Uong Chu Luu and Huynh Ngoc Son.
Structure
- The Standing Committee: This is the standing body of the National Assembly, including the Chairman/Chairwoman, Deputy Chairmen/Chairwomen, and other standing members. The number of the Standing Committee's members is decided by the National Assembly, these members must not concurrently hold a position in the cabinet. The Standing Committee of previous term shall continue their duties until the newly-elected National Assembly establishes its new Standing Committee. The Standing Committee's constitutional duties include: (1) preparing, convening, and chairing the National Assembly's sessions; (2) explaining/interpreting the Constitution, laws, acts, and ordinances; (3) promulgating ordinances at the National Assembly's request; (4) supervising the implementation of the Constitution and laws, and the activities of the Government, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuracy; (5) supervising and guiding the activities of provincial people's councils (local legislative bodies); (6) directing and co-ordinating the activities of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council and other committees, providing guidance and guaranteeing the deputies' working conditions; (7) approving the cabinet's personnel affairs in between the National Assembly's sessions and making reports to the National Assembly in the next session; (8) declaring wars if necessary in between the National Assembly's sessions and making reports to the National Assembly in the next session; (9) launching general mobilization or partial mobilization, and declaring national or local state of emergency if necessary; (10) performing external relation activities of the National Assembly; and (11) organizing referendum at the National Assembly's request.
- The Ethnic Council: The main duties of the Ethnic Council are to contribute to, to investigate, and to supervise the legal documents (laws, acts, ordinances) and legal procedures on ethnic issues.
- Other Committees include: (1) Committee of Laws; (2) Committee of Justice; (3) Committee of Economy; (4) Committee of Financial and Budget Affairs; (5) Committee of National Defense and Security; (6) Committee of Culture, Education, Adolescents and Children Affairs; (7) Committee of Social Affairs; (8) Committee of Science, Technology and Environment; and (9) Committee of External Relations.