In previous discussion sessions, the majority agreed on the necessity of having the SEZ law for the successful establishment of three SEZs in Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc in the context of growing global uncertainties, while safeguarding national security and sovereignty, Nguyen Khac Dinh, Head of National Assembly Committee on Legal Affairs, told local media.

“With expectation that it could make a breakthrough in legal and institutional reform, this new draft law, however, proved to be complicated at an unprecedented level, resulting in diverse opinions among National Assembly deputies, experts and the public.”

The National Assembly, thus, agreed on the Government’s proposal of applying the Law on Land with regard to the duration of land leasing in SEZs, as well as to discard the exceptional case of land leasing tenure of up to 99 years. 

Consequently, the voting on the SEZ draft law will be moved to the next session in October for further consideration. 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan highly regarded the public’s patriotism and responsibility to the country’s matters of high priority. 

Following last weekend’s protests in some localities, Ngan, however, advised the public to remain calm and  continue putting faith in the Party, the Government and the National Assembly, in which every opinion will be considered thoroughly. 

Most National Assembly deputies agreed on the National Assembly to delay the decision, after much debate and diverse opinions. The draft law, as such, should be approved only when there is a common understanding between the public and the Government.