National economic challenges, the increasingly severe impacts of climate change and pollution and the crime rate are among the major concerns expressed by voters across the country.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — National economic challenges, the increasingly severe impacts of climate change and pollution and the crime rate are among the major concerns expressed by voters across the country.

Five months after the close of the fifth session of the 14^th National Assembly (NA), 3,480 voter comments have been sent to the NA, Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee President Trần Thanh Mẫn said yesterday at the opening of the assembly’s sixth session.

Labour productivity in many industries was not as high as predicted. Voters expressed concern that the national economy could be left behind by other countries if it failed to apply advanced technologies. Many industries were still young and needed to be more competitive.

Wasteful public investment and violations in the operation of “Build-Operate-Transfer” projects were still present

Voters were concerned with the high frequency of strong tropical storms, historic drought, floods and salinity intrusion – all of which were worsened by climate change. The comments showed that people were worried about the impact of these trends on their daily lives.

They expressed that localities had limited capacity to deal with climate change. Local administrations’ handling of Mekong Delta land erosion and flooding in Hà Nội and HCM City demonstrated that localities were not prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change.

People said they were suffering due to poor air and water quality throughout the country, especially in the major cities.

Voters were also worried by criminal trends. Thefts and murder cases have sparked public concern. Sexual abuse of children has been listed as one society’s persistent issues. Drug crime and illegal high-rate credit markets were present in many localities.

Things have been done

Despite their concern in the aforementioned areas, voters said they appreciated the leadership role of the Party, the operation of the NA and the direction of the Government in improving the quality of officials and civil servants as well as implementing the policy of downsizing its heavy staff structure.

Voters recognised that the NA had renewed its question-and-answer session and worked to handle the issues that voters raised.

The Government has simplified administrative procedures and hosted forums to talk with business investors and the public to solve their problems.

The voters asked the Party, the NA and the Government to continue restructuring the national economy, overcoming environmental challenges and climate change, handling environmental pollution and suppressing crime. — VNS