Attending the voter meeting were Mr. Do Thanh Binh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee, and 15th National Assembly Deputy; Mr. Pham Van Hieu, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Council; Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee; representatives of the Can Tho City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, city departments, agencies, and sectors.

During the voter meeting, representatives of the National Assembly Deputies Delegation reported on the anticipated agenda and program of the ninth session of the 15th National Assembly while also listening to the voters’ opinions and contributions.

According to the report, the ninth session of the 15th National Assembly is scheduled to open on May 5, 2025, and close on July 1, 2025, divided into two phases (Phase 1 from May 5 to May 28, and Phase 2 from June 11 to June 28). The National Assembly will review and decide on amendments and supplements to certain provisions of the 2013 Constitution; consider and pass 30 draft laws and 7 draft resolutions with legal effect; provide opinions on 6 draft laws; and address several critical national issues.

Voter Le Thanh Truc speaks at the meeting. Photo: ANH DUNG

Voters in Can Tho City raised numerous concerns and recommendations to the National Assembly and the Prime Minister regarding issues of interest to enterprises and entrepreneurs. Among these, they propose the urgent implementation of support measures and request that negotiations be undertaken with foreign partners to restore previous tax levels or adjust them to more favorable rates. They emphasize the need for a comprehensive assessment of the extent and potential impact of high tax policies on Vietnam’s key export sectors, particularly those with a large share in total export value. Voters also recommend establishing effective mechanisms and solutions to enable Vietnam to benefit from the lowest possible tariff rates; simplifying cumbersome administrative procedures; and immediately cutting or removing overlapping and unnecessary regulations to facilitate more efficient export activities. Furthermore, they urge the introduction of strategic, adaptive solutions to help Vietnam’s tourism sector respond to international policy shifts, especially those originating from major countries and recommend continued enhancement of foreign affairs and trade-tourism promotion policies to safeguard the competitive position of Vietnamese tourism in global markets. Voters also propose the inclusion of specific policies aimed at encouraging, supporting, and facilitating enterprises to invest in the development of social housing, worker accommodations, and childcare facilities such as kindergartens and nursery schools, ensuring affordable rental or purchase prices for workers. Additionally, they call for a clear orientation to accelerate the digital transformation of the jewelry sector, contributing to the establishment of a transparent, fair, and modern gold trading market in the near future.

Voter Pham Hoang Nghi speaks at the meeting. Photo: ANH DUNG

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the opinions and recommendations of the voters. Providing an update on the country’s socio-economic situation for the first four months of 2025, the Prime Minister noted that, under the leadership of the Party, the engagement of the entire political system, the support and unity of the people and enterprises, and the cooperation and assistance of international partners, the socio-economic performance in the first four months of 2025 surpassed the same period in 2024 across most sectors. The Prime Minister emphasized key tasks for the coming period, including urgently streamlining and restructuring the organizational apparatus to ensure smooth operations; reorganizing administrative units at all levels and developing a two-tier local government model; decisively and synchronously implementing solutions to achieve a growth rate of 8% or higher and preparing for double-digit growth in subsequent years; and focusing on implementing Central Committee resolutions on science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation, and international integration in the new context.

Mr. Do Thanh Binh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, and 15th National Assembly Deputy, speaks to acknowledge and address voters’ opinions. Photo: ANH DUNG

The Prime Minister has instructed the Party committees and authorities of Can Tho City to identify tasks with clear focus and priorities, with particular emphasis on effectively implementing the three strategic breakthroughs, public investment, and the development of an open and well-connected infrastructure system within the overall Mekong Delta region; the city is also required to strengthen coordination and integration with other localities in the Mekong Delta to promote regional development; improve the investment and business environment and take proactive measures to support and facilitate enterprise development in order to drive robust economic growth.

Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, speaks to acknowledge and address voters’ opinions. Photo: ANH DUNG

Regarding specific issues raised by Can Tho City voters, the Prime Minister stated that the Party, State, ministries, sectors, and localities have implemented comprehensive and proactive solutions to support and facilitate enterprises’ development in the current context. Regarding gold prices, the Government is in the process of amending the decree on gold trading activities. The Ministry of Public Security has been assigned to investigate and address acts of smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation, and tax evasion related to gold trading. The Prime Minister informed voters that Vietnam’s negotiations with the United States on tariffs have shown positive signs. The Government is pursuing solutions to diversify markets, access capital, enhance enterprises’ competitiveness and operational efficiency, support young people with loans to purchase homes, and implement policies for social housing development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks to acknowledge and address the opinions of Can Tho City voters. Photo: ANH DUNG

Other issues were addressed by the Prime Minister, National Assembly agency leaders, and city leaders. The Prime Minister requested the Office of the National Assembly Deputies Delegation and the City People’s Council to compile the proposals and recommendations from enterprises and voters and forward them to the competent authorities for thorough resolution.