Vietnam is a highly centralised state, whose constitution provides the fundamental and highest law. The majority of power resides at this central level, with all laws and policies issued by the National Assembly and the government. The former produces framework legislation, while the latter guides the implementation of legislation.
The National Assembly is a unicameral body elected for a five-year term, which elects a president as head of state, and a prime minister as head of government. The assembly is Vietnam’s legislative body and the highest-level representative body. It is responsible for approving and supervising the implementation of state plans. The Communist Party has decisive influence over the executive and exercises control through the Central Committee. Members of the party hold all senior government positions.
The current Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was passed in 1992; it has since had two amendments in 2001 and 2013. Vietnam is a socialist republic with the Vietnamese Communist Party as the sole source of leadership for the State and society. The legislative branch is exercised by the National Assembly, a 498-member unicameral body elected to a five-year term and is recognised as “the highest organ of state power”. The National Assembly further decides significant national affairs and has control over all activities of the State (article 69), including making and amending the Constitution (article 70), and naming the President and cabinet, the Prime Minister and the President of the Supreme People’s Court. Furthermore, the National Assembly holds the power of control over the Constitution and abrogating decisions from the Supreme People’s Court — the highest court for appeal and review (article 104).