Hanoi (VNA)෴ – During the Q&A session at the 15th National Assembly's ongoing 7th meeting in Hanoi on June 6, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha addressed a range of socio-economic issues and outlined Government plans for the coming months.

Ha underlined drastic measures to strengthen social welfare policies and improve living standards, including streamlining procedures and offering investment incentives to support social housing development for low-income earners, ethnic minority people, military personnel and policy beneficiaries. The Government is also considering establishing a social housing development fund with contributions from the State, businesses, and the public. In response to the question on recent fluctuations in the domestic gold market, Ha confirmed proactive intervention by the State Bank of Vietnam. Since June 3, the bank has facilitated gold sales through four State-owned commercial banks and SJC company, aiming to narrow the price gap between Vietnamese and international gold markets, promoting market alignment. Ha pledged continued investment in infrastructure, particularly transportation, in service of tourism. The Government will focus on integrating tourism with various service sectors, streamlining entry and exit procedures, accelerating digital transformation, and developing diverse destination networks. With a focus on fostering new and supporting industries, he committed to intensifying free trade agreement negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and other markets receptive to Vietnamese goods. He also mentioned proposed improvements in policies and mechanisms to attract investment to emerging sectors like renewable energy, high-speed railway, mineral extraction and processing, new materials, semiconductor chips, information technology, digital content, and large-scale high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. To combat drought, saltwater intrusion, and riverbank and coastal erosion in the Mekong Delta, the Government will prioritise allocating resources for comprehensive solutions, combining both structural and non-structural measures. These approaches will respect natural laws and adapt to specific regional conditions, he said. About the drafting of regulations related to the Land Law, Housing Law, Real Estate Business Law, and the Law on Credit Institutions, he said these amendments have been submitted to the legislature for approval in the current session, aiming for them to come into force by August 1, or five months ahead of schedule. Following a productive 2.5-day session, the NA successfully completed the Q&A agenda. The session focused on four key areas under the purview of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the State Auditor General. In his closing remarks, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man hailed the participation of 193 deputies, with 162 posing questions and 31 engaging in debates. He commended the session's success, highlighting a strong sense of responsibility, clear solutions, and firm commitments from the Government./.