Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man called for tighter safeguards against collusion, bid rigging, sham bidders and last-minute bid withdrawals, as lawmakers reviewed a draft revision of the Law on Property Auction during the 16th legislature’s second session in Hanoi on October 19.
Speaking at a group discussion, NA President Man said the revised law must track the Party’s policies closely, especially resolutions on refining the socialist-oriented market economy, fighting corruption and other negative practices, accelerating digital transformation, and managing public assets and land.
He proposed leaving pre-and post-auction matters to specialised laws. These include the conditions for putting assets up for sale, starting prices, decision-making authority, approval of results, payment and asset handover.
The draft suggests raising the deposit for individuals bidding on residential land-use rights to 20-50% of the starting price and extend the requirement to other asset types prone to manipulation. It will also expand the list of prohibited acts to cover leaking participants’ names and dossiers before official disclosure, and interfering in or steering the selection of auction entities and auctioneers. The draft should explicitly bar successful bidders who forfeit deposits or collude from future auctions for six months to five years, with their names posted on the National Property Auction Portal, he said.
The draft also floats a provision deeming applicants who submit valid dossiers and deposits to have agreed to buy the asset at the starting price, a move meant to deter the use of intermediaries to rig outcomes.
The top legislator backed a push toward online auctions and substantive, secure digitalisation, urging that most asset types be auctioned online except those on a prescribed exemption list. He proposed making the National Property Auction Portal mandatory, run by a state agency and protected by strict electronic identification and authentication. The law should also ban system interference and technological fraud and stay consistent with the Law on Electronic Transactions, the Law on Cybersecurity and personal data protection rules.
He also pressed for better quality and accountability among auctioneers and auction entities, calling for the highest possible levels of transparency and openness.
Completing legal framework governing legal profession
In a separate group discussion on the draft revised Law on Lawyers earlier the same day, deputies broadly backed amending the law to strengthen the legal framework for the profession and raise the quality of the lawyer workforce. They said the changes would support judicial reform and the building of a rule-of-law state, while widening access to justice for individuals and businesses.
On how legal assistance officers can be recognised as lawyers, Tay Ninh deputy Phan Thi My Dung proposed exempting former legal aid officers with at least five years’ experience from lawyer training and apprenticeship.
Current rules already set a high bar. Under the Law on Legal Assistance, officers must have completed lawyer training or hold an exemption, and must have finished either a lawyer apprenticeship or a legal assistance apprenticeship. Article 20 sets the legal assistance apprenticeship at 12 months and empowers the justice minister to regulate the process and how results are assessed.
Dung argued that the law should fully recognise the training, apprenticeship, assessment and hands-on experience legal assistance officers have accumulated. Those who meet the remaining professional and eligibility standards should not have to repeat lawyer training or an apprenticeship, or retake the national lawyer qualification exam./.
VNA
See more
NA considers revised law to curb auction profiteering
To curb the activities of intermediaries who manipulate auctions and participants who have no genuine intention to buy, the draft stipulates that bidders who submit valid applications, pay the required deposits and attend an auction are deemed to have agreed to bid at least the starting price.
New chapter in Vietnam-Switzerland comprehensive partnership
With the positive outcomes achieved during the visit and the continued efforts of ministries, sectors and localities, Vietnam and Switzerland will make the most of their respective strengths and opportunities for cooperation to foster stable and sustainable bilateral relations, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.
Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership deepens across multiple sectors after 15 years
As their Strategic Partnership enters its next phase, Vietnam and Germany have opportunities to deepen cooperation, expand investment and build stronger links between their people.
Vietnam shares development vision, promotes cooperation in Mexico
Vietnam regards improving people’s living standards and linking economic growth with social progress and equity as an overarching goal throughout its development process, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai at an international seminar organised by Mexico’s Labor Party (PT), which concluded on October 17 in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Swiss President wraps up successful visit to Vietnam
Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Switzerland, they stressed, describing the visit as a vivid demonstration of the two countries' commitment to realising and further deepening their Comprehensive Partnership, established in January 2025, the Vietnamese leaders said.
☀️ Morning digest on October 19
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
Top leader and spouse depart for Denmark, European Union and Belgium
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on October 19 for a state visit to Denmark and official visits to the European Union and Belgium.
Vietnam, Denmark work together to build greener, more prosperous, sustainable future
Over the 55 years since diplomatic relations were established, Vietnam and Denmark have built a solid foundation of friendship, trust and increasingly close cooperation. Rooted in historical ties and the affection shared by the Royal Family and the two countries’ people, their relationship is entering a new chapter centred on the green transition, innovation and sustainable development.
Vietnam, Switzerland explore broader scope for cooperation
Given Vietnam’s dynamic and expanding economy and its need to diversify supply, distribution and trade channels, Switzerland offers promising opportunities for Vietnamese small and medium-sized exporters.
Vietnam, Switzerland seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation
National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man and Swiss President Guy Parmelin agreed to leverage parliamentary cooperation to promote the implementation of high-level agreements, linking exchanges of legislative experience with oversight of implementation.
Vietnam, Liechtenstein step up cooperation, tap opportunities from new agreements
Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with Liechtenstein and values the principality’s standing and strengths in science and technology, innovation, finance, technology and highly skilled human resources development, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.
Top leader receives Liechtenstein Prime Minister
Liechtenstein regards Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to further strengthen long-term cooperation in economy, trade and investment.
Lawmakers call for growth breakthrough in 2027, with results as key measure
National Assembly President Tran Thanh man called for an honest assessment of existing difficulties and shortcomings, urging deputies to contribute practical solutions to help fulfil the socio-economic development targets for 2026 and create a breakthrough in 2027.
Vietnam, Iceland boost economic, trade, investment ties
The foreign ministries of Vietnam and Iceland should maintain close coordination and play their role as focal agencies in further advancing bilateral cooperation.
Top leader’s visit to elevate Vietnam-Denmark relations in new era
The State visit to Denmark by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam is expected to provide fresh impetus for increasingly deep and effective Vietnam-Denmark relations, delivering tangible benefits to the people and businesses of both countries
Foreign Minister heads organising committee for CLMV 12, ACMECS 11
Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung has been named head of the organising committee for the 12th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit (CLMV 12) and the 11th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 11).
Prime Minister hosts official welcome ceremony for Liechtenstein counterpart
PM Brigitte Haas's first official visit to Vietnam marks an important milestone, demonstrating Liechtenstein's high regard for Vietnam while providing fresh impetus for deeper, more substantive, and more effective bilateral relations.
Vietnam, Switzerland to turn education, sci-tech, innovation into cooperation focus
The two sides pledged to promote ties between innovation hubs, research institutes, universities, and enterprises, while stepping up collaboration in AI, quantum technology, green energy, the digital economy, higher education, and vocational training.
Top Vietnamese leader hosts banquet in honour of Swiss President
The General Secretary and President noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Vietnam and Switzerland have consistently nurtured their friendship, strengthened political trust and expanded cooperation across various fields for the benefit of their people.
Spouses of Vietnamese, Swiss leaders visit Hanoi University of Pharmacy
Hanoi University of Pharmacy holds special significance in bilateral relations as it is closely associated with Alexandre Yersin, a French scientist of Swiss origin born in 1863 in the canton of Vaud, the homeland of President Parmelin. Yersin was the first principal of the Indochina Medical College, the predecessor of today’s Hanoi University of Pharmacy and Hanoi Medical University. He also made important contributions to the development of medicine in Vietnam.