Vietnam's national assembly has opened for a month-long session.

The state of the economy, including double-digit inflation, is expected to be high on the agenda.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is due to address the legislature in a televised speech.

The 493-member assembly is expected to formally lower Vietnam's 2008 economic growth target to 7.0 per cent, down from last year's 8.5 per cent, pass legislation paving the way for the country's first nuclear power plant, and pass a law allowing foreigners to buy and own property.

The national assembly session is due to last until the eighth of next month.

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