A National Celebration and the Responsibility Before the People

On March 15, 2026, 76 million voters across the country participated in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. This was a major political event of the nation, a great festival of the Vietnamese people, taking place immediately after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress.

The election carried special historical significance, continuing the 80-year tradition of building a rule-of-law state of the people in Vietnam since the first General Election in 1946. Each ballot cast by voters not only demonstrated the people’s right to exercise their mastery, but also conveyed their trust and aspirations for the country’s bright future, while affirming the nature of our State — “a State of the People, by the People, and for the People.”

Across the country, the election atmosphere was vibrant and joyful, resembling a national festival. From early morning, voters in localities nationwide went to polling stations to select those with “both virtue and talent” to entrust with their confidence and aspirations for a better future for their hometowns and the nation.

Many elderly voters, despite having experienced numerous elections, could not conceal their emotions and pride as they held their ballots in their hands. The election atmosphere was solemn and filled with confidence: voters nationwide expressed their will and aspirations through their ballots, placing their trust in exemplary and deserving representatives.

The spirit of a “national celebration” spread from the plains to mountainous regions, from urban areas to border areas and islands. In northern mountainous provinces, despite challenging terrain and difficult travel conditions, voters enthusiastically went to the polls early and completed voting with an almost absolute turnout rate.

Many remote and isolated areas proactively brought mobile ballot boxes to the homes of elderly people and patients in hospitals, ensuring that every citizen could exercise their voting rights. The military and police supported election teams in fulfilling their duties on remote islands, while fishermen engaged in long offshore activities were also ensured their right to vote.

In major cities, despite the large number of voters and extensive geographical areas, election organizing units made every effort to ensure that the nationwide voter turnout reached 99.68 percent.

Nowhere was voting merely a formality. Across the country, election day truly became a national celebration — a celebration of the spirit of national unity in building the government of the people themselves.

The March 15, 2026 election carried even greater significance as it took place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first General Election (January 6, 1946). At that time, amid countless difficulties during the early days of national independence, the Vietnamese people held the first General Election to elect the First National Assembly.

President Ho Chi Minh described that occasion as “a joyful day for our compatriots”, because for the first time in history, the Vietnamese people began to enjoy their democratic rights.

The victory of the 1946 General Election firmly affirmed the people’s right to mastery — “rising from the status of slaves to win independence, organizing their own State” — and establishing the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia.

Over the past 80 years, through 15 completed terms of the National Assembly, our nation has always taken pride in its patriotic tradition and the people’s sense of ownership. Whether during arduous wars of resistance or in times of national construction and development in peace, the Vietnamese people have remained united in their trust in the Party and actively participated in elections to build their own state apparatus.

The Vietnamese National Assembly, from the first to the 15th legislature, has always represented the great national unity bloc, bringing together outstanding representatives from all social strata, ethnic groups and religions, regardless of social background.

It is precisely this democratic tradition that has cultivated the spirit of today’s election day — each ballot is a vivid testament to the people’s right to mastery and to the continuous continuation of our State, “where the people are the masters and all state power belongs to the people.”

Looking back on the 80-year journey, we deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations to secure the right to freely vote for the people. Continuing that glorious tradition, the March 15, 2026 election once again affirmed the will, resilience and democratic aspirations of the Vietnamese nation on its path of development.

In this “General Election”, the nearly 100 percent voter turnout carries profound significance. It represents the people’s political awareness, civic responsibility, patriotism and confidence in the Party’s leadership.

Each ballot is a ballot of trust — through it, citizens place their expectations in the selection of worthy representatives, thereby affirming consensus and strong support for the socialist democratic system and the country’s development path.

The almost absolute turnout rate also demonstrates that the election organization system successfully carried out communication, mobilization and facilitation efforts, enabling all voters to exercise their rights and fulfill their responsibilities.

In addition, the election results also demonstrate the people’s increasingly enhanced awareness of building a State of the People. Citizens not only participated in voting in large numbers, but also actively learned about the backgrounds and action programs of candidates in order to select the most outstanding representatives.

The election truly took place in a democratic, equal, lawful, safe and economical manner — reflecting the capacity and civic awareness of a nation that has practiced democracy for nearly a century.

Domestic and international public opinion highly appreciated Vietnam’s professional and transparent organization of this election.

The success of the election also provides a solid foundation for our state apparatus to enter a new period of development.

The results of the March 15, 2026 election represent a victory for the people, but at the same time place great responsibilities on the newly elected deputies.

The deputies of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term are those whom the people have trusted and entrusted with authority. Over the next five years, they will represent the will and aspirations of the people in their respective electoral units and of the people nationwide.

The role and position of deputies are noble: each deputy serves as a bridge between the people and state power agencies, participating in decisions on important issues of the country and localities.

Therefore, the Party, the State and voters nationwide require each deputy to deeply recognize their honor and responsibility, continuously strive for self-improvement, and prove worthy of the trust placed in them by the People.

The new 2026–2031 term begins as the country enters an important stage of development, with both opportunities and challenges intertwined.

The 14th National Party Congress has set strategic goals for the nation, including the determination to transform Vietnam into a high-income developed country by 2045.

To realize that aspiration, the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels in the new term must strive for strong innovation and creativity in all areas of operation.

Deputies must closely follow the dynamic realities of the country’s renewal process, actively contribute their wisdom to improving the legal system, enhancing the effectiveness of supreme supervision, and making sound decisions on important matters concerning socio-economic development, the state budget, national defense and foreign affairs in response to new requirements.

Alongside their efforts in parliamentary activities, each deputy must maintain close contact with voters and always listen to the voices of the people.

This is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical requirement for representatives of the people.

Voters expect newly elected deputies to become closer to the people, remain more connected with grassroots realities, and promptly bring pressing issues from daily life into the legislature for discussion and resolution.

At the same time, each deputy must uphold the spirit of exemplary conduct and integrity, “always remember and practice the words: For the interests of the nation, forget personal interests; for the common good, put aside individual interests,” as President Ho Chi Minh instructed.

This is a requirement of morality and political integrity: those entrusted with power by the people must devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Fatherland and serving the people, resolutely combating individualism and avoiding all temptations of power and vested interests.

Only when representatives truly “place the interests of the Fatherland and the People above all else and before all else” can they fulfill the noble responsibility entrusted to them by the people.

On the other hand, the composition of this National Assembly and People’s Councils includes a high proportion of first-time deputies (more than 70 percent of National Assembly candidates were first-time candidates). This represents a new wave, promising to bring fresh energy, creative thinking and innovative approaches to the people’s representative bodies.

However, it also places demands on young deputies to quickly acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively fulfill their roles.

Each deputy must proactively learn from the experience of previous generations while promoting their own strengths and professional expertise in parliamentary activities.

Discipline and solidarity within the National Assembly are also extremely important factors. Deputies must closely coordinate with one another, comply with regulations, while at the same time confidently expressing their viewpoints in a constructive spirit.

Only in this way can the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels truly become bodies of wisdom, unity and action, working for the interests of the people.

The success of the election opens up new foundations and momentum for the entire Party, people and armed forces to confidently move forward into a new stage of development.

In the immediate future, we must quickly stabilize the organization of the National Assembly and local authorities after the election, and urgently bring the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress into reality.

The first session of the 16th National Assembly, which is scheduled to open soon, will consolidate key leadership positions of the State and adopt the National Assembly’s action program for the entire term. This requires unity, shared responsibility and a high sense of duty from every deputy.

Those elected must uphold the spirit of serving the Fatherland, immediately begin their work with new energy and determination, and live up to the expectations of voters.

The next five years will carry extremely important significance for Vietnam’s breakthrough development and its goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

Opportunities and challenges are intertwined; the new era requires the entire nation to unite and work together more than ever before.

I earnestly hope that all compatriots, soldiers nationwide and Vietnamese people overseas will continue to uphold the patriotic tradition and revolutionary spirit, support and supervise the activities of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, and contribute to successfully achieving the socio-economic development goals for the 2026–2031 period.

With the joy and excitement following the success of this national celebration, we once again recall the words of beloved President Ho Chi Minh:

“Unity, unity, great unity — Success, success, great success.”

The spirit of national unity helped us achieve glorious victories in the past, and today it remains the key to reaching new heights of development.

With profound confidence in the wisdom and determination of the Vietnamese people, under the sound leadership of the Party, we are determined to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam, with the goal of “a prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, equality and civilization.”

The success of this election provides a solid foundation for the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels to operate effectively, bringing into full play the strength of the entire nation on the path of renewal and integration.

A bright future lies ahead. The entire nation must join hands and unite, transforming the joy of election day into practical actions to build an increasingly prosperous and happy Vietnam, realizing the aspiration for a Vietnam that is peaceful, independent, democratic, strong, prosperous, civilized and happy, steadily advancing toward socialism.

Hong Nhung