On December 12, Bui Huyen Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi, chaired a social review conference on three draft resolutions of the Hanoi People's Council implementing the National Assembly's resolution on piloting special mechanisms and policies for major and important projects in the capital.

The three draft resolutions cover rules on dossiers, conditions, order and procedures for selecting contractors and investors in special cases for major projects in Hanoi.

They also set out rules on dossiers, conditions, order and procedures for preparing, appraising, deciding, approving and adjusting investment policy decisions for major projects, as well as cost norms, unit prices, procedures and dossier components for preparing, appraising, approving and adjusting the Hanoi Capital Master Plan.

Experts welcomed the city's proactive and swift organization of the social review for resolutions that concretize special mechanisms and policies approved by the National Assembly on December 11. Many provided specific and substantive comments.

Regarding the draft resolution on special contractor and investor selection for major projects, Le Xuan Rao, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations, said the draft is truly groundbreaking.

It shortens appraisal and approval timelines and, for the first time, allows contractor and investor selection even before project approval to ensure progress on strategic projects.

He noted that speed is a major strength but urged clearer criteria for the Department of Finance when identifying investors eligible to receive invitations, to ensure transparency and avoid subjective perceptions.

Rao suggested adding minimum criteria such as three consecutive years of financial capacity, international experience, success rates in similar projects, and tax compliance.

Commenting on the draft resolution governing appraisal and approval of investment policy decisions, Pham Ngoc Thao, Head of the Democracy and Law Advisory Council under the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi, said Article 4 on general principles largely meets requirements but remains incomplete.

He proposed clarifying the responsibilities of the appraisal council and its head.

Thao stressed that project appraisal is a critical stage in the investment process. Weak or flawed appraisal results can seriously affect investment decisions and implementation.

Concluding the conference, Mai thanked experts, scientists, and managers for their contributions.

She said the Fatherland Front, together with city agencies, acted swiftly to review and refine policies in line with General Secretary To Lam's direction that Hanoi must "say it and do it – do it fast, do it right, do it effectively, and see it through."

The conference recorded eight direct presentations and 13 written submissions. All agreed on the necessity of issuing the resolutions to meet practical needs, remove legal bottlenecks, attract investment, and create development breakthroughs for the capital.

She urged the drafting bodies to submit the drafts promptly to the People's Council for approval so the resolutions can take effect quickly.

Mai also asked agencies to fully absorb feedback, ensuring special mechanisms remain transparent, with clear dossiers, procedures, and criteria to prevent policy abuse.

She emphasized careful assessment to maintain rigor and adequate time for each streamlined procedure, while still ensuring quality and protecting officials who implement policies.

Speed must go hand in hand with mechanisms that allow officials to act decisively and take responsibility, the Chairwoman said.

She also called for greater transparency and stronger digital application in inspection and supervision, along with clear regulations to build trust and attract investors.

Mai added that large-scale projects should include community consultation mechanisms and independent oversight, strengthening the role of the Fatherland Front and community investment supervision boards.

After the conference, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi will compile and submit feedback to drafting agencies, the People's Council, and the People's Committee, and request serious consideration and explanation of all review opinions.

She also urged grassroots Fatherland Front officials to fully understand their responsibilities, proactively serve as bridges to bring Party resolutions and state policies into daily life.

Accordingly, social review work in Hanoi must become more in-depth to provide increasingly practical contributions to the city's development.