Viet Nam - A Guide for Business and Investment - asean-korea centre

PART I. VIET NAM: COUNTRY AND PEOPLEThe President of Viet NamThe President, as the Head of State, is elected by theNational Assembly from its members to representViet Nam in domestic and foreign affairs for a fiveyeartenure. The President has the right to proclaimLaws and Ordinances passed by the National Assemblyand the Standing Committee. The President is thecommander-in-chief of the armed forces and Chairmanof the Council of Defence and Security. In foreignaffairs, the President has the authority to appoint ambassadorsand to sign international agreements andtreaties.The President appoints and dismisses the Prime Ministerand the members of the Government on thebasis of resolutions of the National Assembly or itsStanding Committee. Furthermore, the President hasthe right to nominate key officials such as the ChiefJustice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Procuratorof the Supreme Procuracy, subject to the NationalAssembly’s approval.The 9 th session of the eleventh National AssemblyThe GovernmentThe Government is the highest executive organ ofthe State. The Prime Minister is the leader of theGovernment. The Prime Minister is responsible forthe day-to-day operations of the Government. TheVietnamese Government currently has 20 ministriesand 6 ministerial-level bodies.The People’s Councils and People’sCommitteesViet Nam has 59 provinces and 5 cities directly undercentral authority (including Hanoi, Ho Chi MinhCity, Haiphong, Da Nang, and Can Tho). Provincesare subdivided into districts, provincial cities andmunicipalities. Districts are further divided into communesand townships. Cities directly under the centralauthorities are made up of districts. Urban districtsare divided into precincts, and rural districtsare made up of communes.10 Viet Nam - A Guide for Business and Investment