The national assembly will vote on the law amending and supplementing several articles of the penal code on 25/6. The draft law was previously discussed in group and plenary sessions, with over 130 speeches delivered. During the feedback process, some delegates disagreed with the proposal to remove the death penalty for 4 offenses: producing and trading counterfeit medicines and vaccines; embezzlement of property; bribery; and illegal drug trafficking. The reason for their dissent was that this removal could reduce the deterrent effect and crime prevention, especially when crimes in these areas are becoming increasingly complex.

Explaining this content, the ministry of public security said the international trend is to narrow and move towards abolishing the death penalty. Currently, 104 countries have officially abolished this form of punishment, and 28 others no longer apply it even though it is still stipulated by law. The amendment demonstrates Vietnam's commitment as a member of international human rights treaties.

National assembly delegates at the Dien Hong hall, 20/6. Photo: National Assembly Portal

Also on 25/6, the national assembly will vote on the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on administrative violations. The draft law allows for higher administrative fines (up to twice the current level) in Hanoi and inner-city areas of centrally-affiliated cities, in areas such as traffic, environment, construction, and food safety.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (deputy head of the Hai Duong delegation) supports increasing fines to ensure deterrence but suggested careful evaluation to ensure they align with socio-economic conditions and people's incomes. For first-time, unintentional violations with minor consequences, she emphasized prioritizing educational measures over adding financial burdens.

On 27/6, the last working day of the session, the national assembly will vote on the resolution regarding the development of international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The draft law guides Ho Chi Minh City to develop a comprehensive financial product system, from banking and capital markets to derivative financial services, fund management, and experimental mechanisms for fintech and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Da Nang international financial center is oriented towards green finance, commercial finance for small and medium enterprises, startups, and cross-border trade, linked to the free trade zone. This city will also pilot digital asset and cryptocurrency management, developing investment funds, remittance funds, and fund management companies.

The government has proposed 12 groups of specific policies to create a superior legal and institutional framework for the two financial centers, including mechanisms for foreign exchange, banking, taxes, finance, land, and models for modern commodity and financial exchanges.

In addition, during the final week, the national assembly will pass other important laws, including amendments to the Vietnamese nationality law; the law on officials and civil servants; the law on the organization of people's courts; the law on the organization of the people's procuracy; the law on electing national assembly and people's council deputies; and the state budget law.

Laws related to the judiciary, such as the civil procedure code, the administrative procedure code, the bankruptcy law, and the law on mediation and dialogue at court, will also be voted on. The law amending participation in United Nations peacekeeping forces and other laws related to investment and economics will also be considered.

The national assembly will also pass resolutions on special mechanisms for Hai Phong city's development; resolving difficulties and obstacles caused by overlapping legal regulations; the 2026 supervisory program; and policies on tuition fee exemptions, support, and universal preschool education for children from 3 to 5 years old.

The 9th session of the 15th national assembly, lasting 8 weeks, is the longest session in the national assembly's legislative history. Earlier, during the first working weeks of the 9th session, the national assembly passed several important laws and resolutions, creating a legal basis for rearranging provincial-level administrative units, abolishing the district level, and establishing a two-level local government model (province and commune).

Son Ha