Vietnam Accelerates Land Law Amendments Amidst Citizen Concerns

The draft revised Land Law has been added to the 2026 legislative programme and will be submitted to the NA for consideration at its second session this October. Speaking at a meeting with voters in Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoc Mon commune, the top legislator highlighted that the NA and its Standing Committee will intensify supervision of land-related issues, particularly long-stalled projects and unresolved planning that have affected citizens’ rights and local development. Chairing a hybrid meeting to discuss draft decrees guiding the implementation of National Assembly Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15 on mechanisms and policies to address difficulties and obstacles in enforcing the Land Law, the Deputy PM emphasised that the draft decrees must strictly adhere to Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15, serving only as implementation guidelines without expanding authority beyond what the Resolution permits. The individuals violated Party regulations, State laws, regulations on things Party members are prohibited from doing, and rules on setting an example, causing very serious consequences, sparking public concern and severely damaging the reputation of Party organisations, localities and their respective agencies and units. Sharing Vietnam’s new development orientations following the third meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee, Trung underscored the country’s priorities in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, private-sector development and high-quality human resources. These are areas in which Australia has considerable strengths and offer substantial potential for expanded cooperation between the two countries. The two sides reaffirmed that they attach great importance and give top priority to bilateral relations, with parliamentary cooperation serving as an important channel. The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. The first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly (NA) will deliberate 31 items, including the adoption of 15 draft laws, four draft resolutions, five major issues and first readings of seven additional bills, along with other matters within the NA's authority. According to former Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, Vietnam's 31-year journey has seen it transform from a newcomer into a responsible, proactive and increasingly influential member. Its growing role reflects not only deeper regional economic and foreign integration but also its emergence as a key driver of ASEAN's development, resilience and global standing. Do Thi Thu Thao, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS)’s Central Committee, was re-elected as President of the 12th VRCS Central Committee for the 2026-2031 tenure at its first session in Hanoi on July 28. Speaking after the election, Tam expressed his sincere gratitude to the provincial People's Council for placing its trust in him, saying that this is both an honour and a great responsibility before the provincial Party organisation, authorities, voters and people. The Vietnam Red Cross Society must anchor operations in transparency, integrity, accountability, and openness. All donations must be managed and allocated as intended, with donors entitled to track use, beneficiaries, and outcomes, and recipients able to give feedback on relevance, fairness, and timeliness. Talking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Phnom Penh, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neak Chandarith, Director of the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), underscored the visit’s profound political and strategic significance for the two Southeast Asian neighbours’ traditional friendship, particularly in further institutionalising ties between their legislative bodies. For the new term, the Vietnam Red Cross Society will comprehensively reform its operations by placing people at the centre, communities as the foundation, digital transformation and innovation as the driver of development, and resource mobilisation as its primary approach to improve the quality and efficiency of humanitarian activities. The two-year statement focuses on six priority areas, namely urban management and regeneration; environmental protection and sustainable development; education and culture; social development; integration and innovation; and the economy, trade and investment. The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency. President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary's official visit to Vietnam will open a new chapter in the history of relations between the two legislatures. As a proactive and responsible member, Vietnam has demonstrated its ability to build consensus, foster cooperation, and maintain balance amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment in the region, said Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (LESPERSSI) The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee continued its fourth session on July 27, reviewing a draft law amending and supplementing provisions to nine military and defence laws to ensure consistency across Vietnam’s legal framework. The achievements gained so far mark a significant shift from viewing inspections solely as a tool to detect violations to recognising them as an important mechanism for improving institutions and strengthening national governance, said Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. Under Resolution No. 11/2026/UBTVQH16, the NA Standing Committee added several draft laws to the 2026 agenda for both discussion and approval at the second session of the 16th NA, scheduled for October. The 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society will hold its formal session on July 28 morning, featuring the opening ceremony, presentation of the political report, discussions and remarks by representatives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and guiding remarks by Party and State leaders. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.