Revised Capital Law draft heads to National Assembly this week
Hanoi is determined to finalize and submit the amended Capital Law draft to the National Assembly on schedule this week, pledging to fully incorporate lawmakers’ feedback and ensure the bill meets requirements for both legal rigor and long-term implementation.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi authorities pledged to submit the amended Capital Law draft to the National Assembly this week, calling it a long-term foundation for the city’s development, said Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Luu.
The meeting of the Minister of Justice on the amended Capital Law draft. Photo: Hong Thai/The Hanoi Times
Speaking at a Ministry of Justice meeting on the draft on February 22, Luu reaffirmed the law’s strategic importance for the capital and the country amid deeper international integration.
He said Hanoi will fully incorporate feedback and work closely with the Justice Ministry and relevant agencies to finalize the explanatory report.
“We see the Capital Law as a long-term framework that must remain effective and guide the capital’s development for future generations,” Luu said.
At the meeting, Justice Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh urged Hanoi to complete revisions based on lawmakers’ feedback to ensure submission to the National Assembly by February 25.
Following review by the National Assembly’s Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs, the city must promptly integrate recommendations and refine the draft, Ninh said.
He called on Hanoi to coordinate with ministries to reconcile differing views, clarify oversight mechanisms and define implementation authority.
Ninh described the amended Capital Law as a special legislative project requiring a rigorous and cautious approach.
He praised ministries and city officials for working through the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday to finalize the dossier.
“The bill introduces innovative policies and new mechanisms. To secure broad support, it must be convincing and practical,” Ninh said.
Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Director of the ministry’s Department for Legal Document Development, said that as of February 21, 15 cabinet members had provided feedback and all approved the draft dossier.
Nguyen Phuong Thuy, Vice Head of the National Assembly’s Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs, said the draft has incorporated many comments, though the key challenge lies in legislative thinking.
“The Capital Law should establish an open legal framework that enables future policy innovation without frequent amendments,” Thuy said.
She supported stronger decentralization for Hanoi, stressing that expanded authority must come with clear accountability.
“The law should allow new initiatives to move forward without separate approval for each policy,” she said.
Pham Thi Thanh Mai, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council, said the revised draft carefully assesses breakthrough proposals by policy group and assigned authority.
Hanoi faces development constraints without distinct and flexible mechanisms, given its unique role and capacity to implement policy, she said.
“These reforms must remain within constitutional limits. The municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee commit to sharing responsibility for new mechanisms to expand institutional space for sustainable development,” Mai said.
