Jakarta (VNA) – Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at Indonesia’s Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), has underscored the growing role of Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) and local authorities in driving socio-economic development and legal reform, saying parliamentary diplomacy is also helping reinforce ASEAN cohesion.
Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Jakarta on the occasion of Vietnam’s election of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure, Sukadis said the legislature has been instrumental in shaping the legal foundations for economic growth. He cited the adoption and revision of laws governing investment, public–private partnerships, land management and digital governance as key steps in building a more stable regulatory environment, strengthening investor confidence and supporting Vietnam’s transition toward a market-oriented economy.
At the provincial level, local administrations have taken an increasingly proactive approach to implementing development policies via competing to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), improving administrative services and accelerating infrastructure projects. Sukadis noted that close coordination between the NA and local authorities has reinforced Vietnam’s export-oriented development strategy, offering a model that could hold lessons for other countries while delivering tangible benefits for the economy and the public.
Reviewing the NA’s recent progress, the Indonesian expert pointed to greater transparency in parliamentary activities as a notable improvement. The live broadcasting of plenary debates, hearings and Q&A sessions with Government members, he said, reflects efforts to make decision-making more open and accountable, thereby strengthening public confidence.
He also highlighted the increasing professionalisation of deputies’ work. The NA has expanded the number of full-time legislators, helping clarify the division of responsibilities among committees and improve the quality of legislative scrutiny. Strengthening and broadening committees overseeing key economic sectors and specialised fields has further enhanced the legislature’s organisational structure and legislation effectiveness.
Another important development is the wider use of technology in the lawmaking process. Digital tools have been gradually introduced to support drafting, consultations and coordination among committees, improving connectivity and information access throughout the legislative cycle, particularly in areas related to investment and economic growth.
According to Sukadis, these advances have helped strengthen the legal framework while enhancing the capacity and efficiency of Vietnam’s NA.
Against the backdrop of global challenges, he noted that legislatures play a critical role in translating long-term national goals into concrete legal frameworks and budget priorities.
On parliamentary diplomacy, Sukadis said it serves as an important complement to state diplomacy and should be further strengthened within ASEAN. Through platforms such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), regional legislatures can deepen consultations, exchange information, organise bilateral visits and foster dialogue aimed at aligning and harmonising regional legal frameworks. Such exchanges, he said, not only reinforce bilateral ties but also help build stronger institutional links across ASEAN.
As global geopolitical and economic dynamics continue to shift, Sukadis stressed that proactive legislatures will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring the stability, transparency and adaptability of national policy systems.
He added that Vietnam and Indonesia still have significant room to expand substantive parliamentary cooperation. Both sides could intensify information sharing and exchange experience in legislative work, oversight and decision-making on major national issues.
Capacity building for lawmakers and parliamentary staff was identified as a particularly promising area. Joint training programmes, thematic workshops, staff exchanges, and more frequent high-level visits and engagements between Vietnamese NA deputies and members of the Indonesian Parliament will help improve legislative performance while deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries./.
