NA passes 1992 Constitution amendments                                      With 97.59% of votes in favour, the National Assembly passed the amended 1992 Constitution at its plenary session in Hanoi on November 28. NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung described the approval as an historical event of great significance for national construction and defence, as well as its international integration. After gathering public opinions, including from lawmakers, businesses, socio-political organisations, voters and Vietnamese nationals abroad, the 1992 Constitution has been amended, meeting people’s will and aspirations, he said. The new Constitution has 11 chapters and 120 articles, a chapter and 27 articles less than the 1992 version. It sticks to the Party’s 1991 programme on national construction during the transitional period to socialism and its revised 2011 programme, resolutions of National Party Congresses, and resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee and the Party’s Political Bureau. The document clearly and fully reflects the democratic and progressive nature of the Vietnamese State in the transitional period. It clearly defines the political regime, organisation of the State apparatus, human rights, and citizens’ rights and obligations.  The same day, lawmakers are scheduled to approve a resolution on plans to issue Government bonds during 2014-2016 and debate the draft Law on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. On November 27, they approved resolutions on strengthening the planning, management and exploitation of hydropower works and intensifying the prevention of criminal activity. They also discussed amendments to the Law on Domestic Waterway Transport and draft Law on Public Investment, which regulates the assessment and approval of public investment projects. Source: VOV