On the morning of 28/11, the National Assembly debated the revised Planning Law project in the hall. Pham Trong Nhan, a part-time member of the Economic and Financial Committee, stated that the revised Law must genuinely open doors for new drivers, "it cannot be a rigid framework that slows down every opportunity."

He noted that the current speed of planning adjustments remains linear, taking 12 to 18 months. This pace, he argued, cannot keep up with new waves such as semiconductors, data centers, clean energy, innovation, logistics, and international finance.

"These opportunities cannot wait for the process", he commented.

Pham Trong Nhan, a part-time member of the Economic and Financial Committee, spoke on the morning of 28/11. Photo: National Assembly Media

Nguyen Tam Hung, a part-time member of the National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs Committee, also observed that many key projects are delayed due to prolonged internal procedures, which increases costs and reduces the economy's competitiveness.

According to him, investors report that some completed detailed plans still undergo multiple rounds of internal appraisal at various agencies, instead of a one-stop process. "This forces them to race against time and people, traveling between agencies multiple times just to clarify content already detailed in electronic dossiers", the delegate stated.

Due to the lengthy process, he believes investor confidence erodes, with many businesses forced to pause or withdraw from potential projects. To address this, he proposed considering legalizing an integrated electronic submission mechanism with mandatory response deadlines for each management agency.

Pham Trong Nhan further proposed adding criteria for planning adjustments when a project presents a "national-level development opportunity, widespread impact, and urgent implementation requirement", in addition to traditional criteria like natural disasters, fluctuations, or boundary mergers.

He also suggested that the Government clearly quantify opportunity thresholds based on capital scale, technology content, impact on productivity, high-quality jobs, and supply chain connectivity. For projects meeting these criteria, the Government could allow a minimum 50% reduction in appraisal time, with a maximum period of 6 months.

"Speed must become a design metric within the law if we truly want data centers, semiconductors, innovation, or international finance to drive double-digit growth", he emphasized.

Under current regulations, the appraisal period for national planning adjustments is 75 days, with approval within 90 days, totaling approximately 5,5 months. The appraisal and approval process for regional and provincial planning adjustments is similar. National Assembly delegates advocate for shortening the appraisal and adjustment period when amending the law.

Nguyen Thi Suu, Deputy Head of the Hue City delegation, stressed the need to specify deadlines for each step to prevent prolonged planning adjustment processes that hinder investment activities. Specifically, she proposed completing planning appraisals within 60 days, approving adjustments within 30 days, and publicizing them within 15 days. In cases of adjustments due to natural disasters, epidemics, or other urgent fluctuations, processes should follow expedited procedures, taking a maximum of three working days.

Former Acting Chairman of Quang Tri province, Ha Sy Dong, suggested consolidating feedback, explanation, and appraisal into an interconnected process, applying parallel appraisals to reduce document processing time. He recommended adding adjustment conditions when dynamic projects, major strategic opportunities, technological changes, or high data errors emerge.

In response, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang stated that the drafting agency has finalized regulations on simultaneous preparation and approval order for planning adjustments. The Minister reported that many other procedures have also been simplified.

Specifically, the law has shifted tasks to a proposal format for planning preparation with simpler content. Plans can also be adjusted simultaneously. For fast-track planning adjustments, investors are not required to undergo procedures for policy approval, planning adjustment appraisal, and strategic environmental assessment, according to the Minister.

The National Assembly is expected to vote on the revised Planning Law project on the morning of 10/12.

Anh Tu