56th session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: Ensuring the effective implementation of special mechanisms and policies, preventing losses.

The President of the National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, delivered a speech during this session.

The President of the National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, chaired the session.

In his brief presentation of the draft decree, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang stated that the publication of this decree aims to implement the provisions of the 2025 state budget law to carry out tasks in line with the specific characteristics of certain foreign policy activities.

The Vice President of the National Assembly, Nguyen Duc Hai, presided over the session.

The decree project consists of 4 chapters and 17 articles, governing the collection and use of state budget funds for certain foreign policy activities; the preparation, execution, settlement, and publication of the budget for certain foreign policy activities, in accordance with the 2025 state budget law. The foreign policy activities of senior Party and State officials are not covered by this decree.

The entities involved include ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and other central agencies; centrally administered provinces and cities; and organizations and individuals involved in managing and using the budgets for foreign policy activities.

Presenting the verification report, the President of the Economic and Financial Committee, Phan Van Mai, stated that the Permanent Committee of the Economic and Financial Committee had found that the government’s submission to the National Assembly’s Permanent Committee for review and feedback prior to implementation fell within its jurisdiction and was in line with the provisions of Article 76, paragraph 1, regarding the implementation of specific content of the 2025 state budget law.

The President of the Economic and Financial Committee, Phan Van Mai, summarized the verification report.

Regarding the type of currency used in budget planning and accounting for Vietnamese agencies abroad, the Permanent Committee of the Economic and Financial Committee found that this regulation was not unique and complied with Article 13, paragraph 1, of the state budget law.

The key practical challenge involves supplemental budgeting when the exchange rate fixed by the Ministry of Finance during budget preparation differs from the actual exchange rate. Therefore, if the actual exchange rate is higher than the fixed rate during budget preparation, a supplemental budget is required; conversely, if it is lower, the budget is canceled at year-end, in accordance with the budget law. Consequently, we propose that the government regulate this issue through a decree within its jurisdiction, respecting the Constitution and budget law.

The Minister of Finance, Nguyen Van Thang, presented a summary of the proposal and report.

Concluding the session, the Vice President of the National Assembly, Nguyen Duc Hai, declared that the National Assembly’s Permanent Committee had approved the publication of a government decree regulating the management and use of the state budget for certain foreign policy activities and fundamentally approved the decree project content.

The Vice President of the National Assembly requested the government to consider the views of the National Assembly’s Permanent Committee and the audit authority to finalize the decree project. It is particularly important to clearly define the amount of advances and the repayment deadline to the state budget, no later than the following fiscal year, when advances are drawn from the state budget reserve fund, in accordance with budget law, accounting law, and other applicable laws. In addition, the decree must clearly define the responsibilities of the head of the organization using the state budget and establish a strict inspection and control mechanism to prevent any misuse.

Regarding the type of currency used for the state budget for Vietnamese representation agencies abroad, we propose that the government issue regulations within its jurisdiction, in accordance with the state budget law.

Furthermore, the decree project should be revised to ensure its coherence with the legal system, avoid duplications, guarantee feasibility, prevent legal gaps, and manage and use funds economically, efficiently, and in line with regulations. The audit authority’s opinions on the application of laws related to expenses related to “people’s organizations” foreign policy activities should be reviewed to ensure appropriate regulation. The government is responsible for the decree content, its implementation, and the specific policies and mechanisms put in place to ensure its effectiveness, efficiency, and prevent losses.

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