Governmental Structure
Vietnam is a socialist country under the leadership of the Communist
Party. The Party holds a national congress every five years to outline the
country's overall direction and future course as well as to formalize
policies.
The National Assembly, which includes 498 members and is open to non-Party
members, is the supreme organ of state and the only body with
constitutional and legislative power. The President of the State and the
Prime Minister are elected by the National Assembly.
The President has the right to nominate candidates for a number of key
positions including the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court and
the Procurator-General of the People's Office of Supervision and Control.
Nominees are then approved by the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister, who is charged with the day-to-day handling of the
Government, has the right to nominate and dismiss the members of his
cabinet, though only with the approval of the National Assembly. He also
has at his disposal the power to cancel or suspend decisions or directives
issued by the ministries.