The National Assembly Standing Committee met this afternoon to review the February report on public petitions.

Presenting a summary, Duong Thanh Binh, Chair of the Committee for Public Petitions and Supervision, said voters and people nationwide enjoyed a joyful, safe and economical Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 term is a major political event. Voters and citizens believe that with the engagement of the entire political system, election day will be successfully organized.

Those elected are expected to uphold a strong sense of responsibility and dedication, fulfilling their role as representatives of the people’s will and aspirations, contributing to major policy decisions and to the building of a socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people and for the people.

Binh noted that voters and citizens highly appreciated the sense of responsibility shown by traffic police forces in ensuring traffic order and safety. Functional forces worked throughout the Tet holiday, handling violations with no forbidden zones, no exceptions and no hesitation despite traditional sensitivities during Tet, thereby improving compliance with road traffic safety laws. The number of traffic accidents during the holiday decreased compared to the same period last year.

However, he said voters remain concerned about safety in inland waterway and railway transport, as well as safety during traditional spring festivals held across localities.

Serious incidents caused by firecrackers remain complicated. Unauthorized drone operations continue to pose potential threats to civil aviation safety. Food hygiene and safety violations are still complex. The number of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis and gastrointestinal bleeding surged during and after the Tet holiday. These issues require attention and solutions from competent authorities in the coming time.

During the month, the Committee for Public Petitions and Supervision received responses to 831 voter petitions submitted to the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, achieving a response rate of 66.2%. Of these, 23 petitions submitted before the 10th session have exceeded the response deadline but have yet to be addressed by competent agencies. The committee’s standing body will continue to urge and supervise the handling of these matters and report to the National Assembly Standing Committee.

In February, the number of citizens coming to central reception offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to file complaints, denunciations and petitions decreased significantly compared to January. In general, citizens complied with legal regulations when visiting the offices.

The committee proposed that the National Assembly Standing Committee request the Government and the Prime Minister to continue directing relevant ministries, sectors and localities to strengthen inspections and strictly handle violations related to inland waterway and railway traffic safety, and to enhance oversight of conditions for inland waterway transport businesses.

The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security and local authorities were urged to promptly direct relevant agencies and units to strengthen management, inspection and supervision of unmanned aerial vehicles and other flying devices; to review, verify and trace organizations and individuals operating drones in restricted airspace; and to strictly handle violations in accordance with the law.

Speaking in discussion, National Assembly Vice Chair Nguyen Thi Thanh said that housing rents, real estate prices and daily living expenses remain a heavy burden for residents in major urban areas.

Alongside these pressures, people are also worried about rising electricity prices and the cost of extra tutoring. According to Nguyen Thi Thanh, although public debate has focused heavily on additional classes, after the Ministry of Education and Training issued Circular 29, “the cost of extra tutoring that parents have to pay is actually higher than before the circular took effect.”

She explained that many parents now send their children to external centers instead of having them study at school, leading to additional expenses such as renting facilities, teachers’ travel costs and transportation from home to the centers.

“There are many related issues. When classes are no longer held at school but moved to outside centers, the cost of extra teaching and learning becomes a real concern for parents,” she said.

The Vice Chair also noted that citizens continue to report having to travel longer distances to administrative service centers after the merger of commune and ward units, resulting in overcrowding and slower processing times. Officials, meanwhile, reflect that workloads have increased while staffing remains limited. She called for greater attention to this matter.

Addressing the situation in the Middle East, National Assembly Vice Chair Tran Quang Phuong suggested that the Government report to competent authorities on citizen protection measures in the region in a timely manner, consistent with the Party and State’s foreign policy. The Government should also provide prompt information to stabilize public awareness and sentiment.

Tran Thuong