Vietnam's Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan has pledged to hold tax officials accountable for unjustified delays in tax refunds, including possible compensation, as lawmakers question fairness in tax enforcement and oversight.

Vietnamese lawmakers have warned that three proposed expressway projects could strain the finances of poorer provinces, with one facing a contribution equivalent to nearly 39% of its planned local budget for 2026-2030.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will answer lawmakers' questions for the first time on November 12, as Vietnam's 16th National Assembly holds a day-long session focused on public finance, science, technology and digital transformation.

Vietnam is considering making July 27, War Invalids and Martyrs Day, a paid public holiday from 2027, allowing workers to take part in activities honoring those who sacrificed for the country.

The 16th National Assembly (NA) on November 10 debated several bills in plenary in Hanoi on November 10, as part of its ongoing second session.

Vietnam's health minister says a proposed lifetime tobacco ban for people born from 2010 onward was removed from draft legislation because international evidence remains insufficient to assess its effectiveness and impact.

A Vietnamese lawmaker has warned that proposed incentives for cultural industries could be exploited by property developers unless stricter safeguards are introduced, calling for targeted investment and measurable outcomes.

Under the resolution, central budget revenue is targeted at nearly 1.776 quadrillion VND, while local budget revenue at nearly 1.559 quadrillion VND next year.

Vietnam's National Assembly has approved a 2027 socioeconomic development plan targeting GDP growth of at least 10%, with 30 provinces and cities assigned double-digit growth targets. Hai Phong leads with a 13% target.

Vietnam has proposed investing approximately $6.2 billion in three expressway projects spanning 430.5km, aiming to cut travel times by up to 60% and bring expressway access to all 34 provinces and cities.

Vietnam's government has proposed flexible visa policies for international tourists, including long-stay visitors, medical travelers and remote workers, as part of a broader plan to strengthen the country's tourism industry.

Vietnam's proposed 0.2% tax on unused land has raised concerns over fairness and enforcement. Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan says land legislation must first clearly define what constitutes abandoned land before the tax can be applied.

Vietnam is considering community service as an alternative to administrative fines, Public Security Minister Luong Tam Quang said, as lawmakers review proposed changes to the country's administrative penalty system.

Vietnam has proposed allocating VND45.3 trillion ($1.7 billion) to the first phase of a national anti-drug and crime prevention program, aiming to make at least half of its communes, wards and special administrative zones drug-free by 2030.

Vietnam's government has proposed adding an administrative boundary adjustment between Hanoi and neighboring Phu Tho province to the agenda of the National Assembly's second session, alongside several major infrastructure and policy proposals.

With all 444 deputies present voting in favour, the 16th National Assembly (NA) on the morning of November 5 approved additions to the agenda of its ongoing second session.

National Assembly delegates say double-digit GDP growth must translate into savings after living costs for citizens and reinvestment power for businesses, calling for swifter policy reaction to eliminate bureaucratic lags that stall development.

A lawmaker has called for alcohol trading to remain a conditional business sector, warning that removing licensing requirements without a traceability system could undermine public health protections and efforts to combat methanol poisoning.

Vietnam's latest draft organ donation law removes a proposal allowing minors to register as donors and donate organs after death.