Despite some positive socio-economic developments in the first few months of this year, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung confirmed in a government report delivered during the current National Assembly session that the global financial crunch and economic recession is forecast to be extremely complex this year and continue to have a negative impact on Vietnam.

He said that the key task for Vietnam in the remaining months of this year is to prevent an economic slowdown, maintain steady growth, stabilise the macro economy and ensure social welfare.

The report received favourable support from voters across the country, who proposed that the National Assembly and the Government take more drastic measures to carry their resolutions effectively at grassroots level. 

Voter Nguyen Thanh Bang who lives in Dong Da district, Hanoi, appreciated the government’s efforts to revitalise economic growth, especially by introducing economic stimulus packages. He proposed that the National Assembly and the government generate more jobs and increase the output and value of agro-forestry proHducts.

Hoang Tang who lives in Hai Chua district, Da Nang City, expressed his belief that the National Assembly will draw up new policies to help the country ride out the current economic storm. However, he complained about the length of time it takes to implement the NA’s resolutions and asked the legislative body to speed it up at grassroots level.

Nguyen Van Hung, a voter living in Tan Hoi hamlet, Dat Do district of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, pointed to the fact that almost none of farmers in his hamlet have accessed the four-percent interest rate subsidised loans offered by State commercial banks. He explained that some farmers had mortgaged their houses to get loans to maintain production. However, they were refused the new subsidised loans as they had failed to pay off their old debts.

Other voters proposed that the National Assembly introduce more practical solutions to control market fluctuations and protect consumer interests.

“The State has adopted several policies to control market prices, however, the prices of many commodities, milk for instance, remain high,” said voter Nguyen Hoang Anh in Hue city. “I think that more bold measures should be put in place to keep market prices under control and strictly deal with individuals and organisations that corner the market.”

Farmers in the Mekong Delta region voiced concerns about the strong fluctuations in the prices of farm products. Le Minh Phung, a farmer in Ba Xang hamlet, Vinh Thuan district of Kien Giang province, said that the National Assembly should take more action to stabilise market prices, especially the prices of fertiliser and consumer goods to minimise losses to farmers.

Dang Van Trieu, another farmer in Vinh Thuan district, proposed that basic infrastructure facilities be upgraded to improve local people’s lives.

“The National Assembly should help narrow the gaps between urban and rural areas by building and upgrading bridges, roads, schools and medical clinics to facilitate local people’s travel and study,” he said. “The State has poured investment into these projects, but there still needs a great deal of effort in this area.”

Regarding the Ministry of Education and Training’s project to increase tuition fees, voter Nguyen Sang in Huong Tra district, Thua Thien-Hue province, said “It is not the right time to increase school fees at the moment, because most people are still poor. I think that the ministry should delay the project and continue to reduce fees or exempt poor students from fees so that they can pursue their studies.”

Nguyen Thanh Trung, in the Thanh Khe district of Da Nang City, said that the National Assembly should pay more attention to vocational training and job generation for young people as well as increasing the salaries of workers in industrial parks.