The first phase of the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s eighth sitting came to a great success on November 13, after 20 working days, with various highlights recorded.

The Government leader noted that electricity demand is expected to rise rapidly, with a projected increase of about 12–13 per cent in 2025 and even higher in subsequent years.

Addressing the National Assembly, Transport Minister Nguyen Van Thang explained steps being taken to prevent the North-South high-speed rail project from encountering delays and cost overruns similar to urban metro projects.

The $67 billion North-South high-speed rail project, slated for completion by 2036, will require an estimated $1 billion annually in operations and maintenance, the Economic Committee reported to the National Assembly.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has committed to closing all mobile coverage gaps in remote and underserved areas by June 2025, with hopes to finish by March, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung announced.

Aiming for GDP growth over 7% in 2024, Vietnam’s government is committed to reforms that reduce waste, speed up public investment, and bolster digital and energy infrastructure.

The National Assembly’s 2025 resolution sets ambitious goals of 6.5-7.0% GDP growth and a per capita income of $4,900, pushing for administrative reform, anti-corruption, and improved infrastructure.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung addressed the National Assembly, highlighting the need for Vietnamese media to combine technology with core journalistic values, especially in a market increasingly dominated by social media and digital platforms.

Vietnam’s path to sustainable digital transformation requires mastery over its own technology and platforms, said Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, underscoring the potential of Vietnamese talent to lead this shift.

Addressing the National Assembly, the Minister of Information and Communications highlighted the global challenge of misinformation and urged social media platforms to proactively monitor and remove harmful content to help curb its negative impact.

Vietnam’s Information and Communications sector has achieved a staggering annual revenue of $150 billion, equal to one-third of the national GDP, as shared by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung during a National Assembly session on November 12.

Responding to concerns about e-cigarettes, Minister of Industry Nguyen Hong Dien stated on November 11 that the ministry does not support extending any pilot regulation program and instead advocates a full ban on these products, citing health risks.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has projected that Vietnam’s economic scale will reach trillions of USD in the coming years, far beyond the current 500 billion USD GDP.

During a National Assembly session, concerns were raised about healthcare staff leaving for private sector positions, with representatives urging the Ministry of Health to implement stricter retention and licensing measures.

The State Bank of Vietnam is working on solutions to address gold market volatility and reduce gold hoarding, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong told the National Assembly in response to growing concerns over price fluctuations and smuggling.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has urged the National Assembly to pass a resolution banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, warning of the serious health risks they pose to Vietnam’s youth.

Speaking at a National Assembly session, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong addressed concerns over Vietnam’s gold market, warning investors of the high-risk nature of gold trading.

The National Assembly discussions brought into focus Vietnam's procedural inefficiencies, contrasting them with Dubai's rapid growth as mentioned by Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

At a National Assembly session, delegates proposed relaunching the Ninh Thuan nuclear plant to address growing energy demands and reduce reliance on coal.