Chairman of the NA's Law Committee Phan Trung Ly
The chairman of the NA's Law Committee, Phan Trung Ly, a representative from the constitutional drafting committee said they have decided to maintain the country's name so as to prevent changes to national emblem and stamp, after collecting public opinion on the issue.
According to him, the majority of the public suggested maintaining the country's name, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as it has been the official name of the country since reunification in 1976. This name has also become familiar to Vietnamese citizens and foreigners and reflects the country's goal to become a true socialist society.
"The current name was also mentioned in the 1980 and 1992 constitutions. Any change to the name may result in unexpected consequences, including the possible distortion of the country's path towards socialism. It may also cause complication and cumbersome costly procedures," Ly commented.
Meanwhile, those who supported a change in name back to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam said this name was included in the 1946 and 1959 Constitutions, and was endorsed by late President Ho Chi Minh in the declaration of independence.
At the time, this name was considered to be most fitting to the Vietnam's direction of development, they said.
The constitutional drafting committee said that both names demonstrate the country's socialist regime and the fact that it is a republic.
However, the committee decided that the maintenance of current name would help reiterate the country's socialist direction and ensure stability.
The new draft amended constitution includes one new regulation stipulating that the president, the NA chairman, the prime minister and the tribunal president of People's Supreme Court must take oaths upon taking office.
