People's Council of Hải Phòng

People's Council of Hải Phòng. The People's Council of Hải Phòng is the local legislative body and the highest state authority in the major port city of Hải Phòng, operating under the framework of the Constitution of Vietnam. It is responsible for making decisions on important local matters, supervising the implementation of state policies, and representing the will of the local populace. The council operates in accordance with the Law on Organization of Local Government and its deputies are elected by citizens in the city's administrative units.

History

The establishment of the council followed the national reunification after the Fall of Saigon and the creation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Its institutional predecessor in the region was part of the revolutionary administration during the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, where Hải Phòng served as a crucial logistics hub. The modern council was formally constituted in 1976, following the merger of the former Hải Phòng Province and the Kiến An Province, a reorganization decreed by the National Assembly of Vietnam. Its evolution has mirrored the city's development into a key economic engine, particularly with the growth of the Hải Phòng Port and adjacent Đình Vũ Industrial Zone.

Functions and powers

The council exercises its constitutional authority to enact **resolutions** on local socio-economic development, security, and defense plans, including those related to major projects like the Lạch Huyện Port and Cát Bà Island tourism. It decides on local budgets and financial matters, overseeing revenue from sources such as the Hải Phòng Economic Zone Authority. It supervises the activities of the People's Committee of Hải Phòng, the city's executive body, and the People's Court of Hải Phòng and People's Procuracy of Hải Phòng. The council also has the power to make decisions regarding the organization of local administrative units within the city, such as its districts Hồng Bàng District and Ngô Quyền District.

Organizational structure

The council is organized into a **Standing Committee** that handles day-to-day affairs between plenary sessions. This committee includes the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, and other members. Underneath the Standing Committee, specialized **Boards** or **Committees** are established to examine specific policy areas, such as the Economic-Budget Board, the Social-Cultural Board, and the Legal Board. These boards review proposals from the People's Committee of Hải Phòng and prepare reports for council sessions. The administrative office of the council, often headed by a Chief of Office, provides technical and logistical support for the deputies' activities and maintains relations with constituents.

Election and composition

Deputies to the council are elected through a direct, universal suffrage vote held every five years, as stipulated by the Electoral Law of Vietnam. The current **seventh tenure** (2021-2026) comprises 71 deputies, who represent the city's population across its various administrative units, including urban districts like Lê Chân District and rural districts like Thủy Nguyên District. All candidates are vetted and endorsed by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ensuring alignment with the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The electoral process is managed by the Hải Phòng City Election Council.

Leadership

The leadership is elected by the council deputies from among themselves. The **Chairman** presides over council sessions and leads the Standing Committee, representing the council in external relations. Several **Vice Chairmen** assist the Chairman in his duties and may oversee specific boards or areas of work. The current leadership works in close coordination with the Secretary of the Hải Phòng Party Committee and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hải Phòng to implement the directives of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam.

Category:Government of Vietnam Category:Hải Phòng Category:People's Councils of Vietnam