On March 27, 2013, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities organized a scientific seminar with the topic: "Draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution, amendments to the political regime and organization of the State apparatus of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam".Attending the event were Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Vice Principal of the School, Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao - Director of the Institute of Legislative Studies of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly came to discuss with staff, lecturers and students of the faculties: International Studies, Oriental Studies, Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, Political Science. Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao presented the new features in the Draft Amendment to the 1992 Constitution such as: the relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial bodies; the political regime and amendment of the State apparatus... Especially related to the issue of power organization, Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao emphasized: the basic new point of this Constitutional amendment is to clearly define the three powers of the legislature, executive and judiciary. And this is also the basis for power control, a completely new issue that previous Constitutions have not yet regulated. Another new point of the Draft Amendment to the 1992 Constitution was also discussed by Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao mentioned that: Chapter 2 of the Draft stipulates human rights, basic rights and obligations of citizens, has added the concept of "human rights", which means that in addition to Vietnamese citizens, it also includes foreigners living in Vietnam who are respected and protected according to the Constitution and laws. This demonstrates Vietnam's integration with the international community. In addition, other amendments related to economic, scientific, cultural, educational, technological and environmental issues... were also mentioned by Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao in his presentation. Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao said: through summarizing 20 years of implementing the current Constitution, it has shown that the 1992 Constitution is still effective, valuable and appropriate. But besides that, there are also issues that are no longer appropriate, there are still missing contents that need to be amended and supplemented. Many students raised questions and concerns related to the issues: Should or should not the country's name be changed to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam? The role, position, and powers of the President? Should the age of criminal responsibility for minors be reduced or not?...
Dr. Dinh Xuan Thao had specific discussions on issues of concern to students. At the end of the talk, he hoped that students - the future scientists and intellectuals of the country - would make positive contributions to the Draft Amendment to the 1992 Constitution.
