Putting National Interests First, Upholding the Glorious 80-Year Tradition of the Vietnamese National Assembly
On the morning of January 6, a solemn ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the first general election to elect the National Assembly of Vietnam (January 6, 1946 – January 6, 2026) was held at the Dien Hong Hall of the National Assembly Building. General Secretary To Lam attended and delivered a speech at the ceremony. The People’s Deputies Newspaper respectfully presents the full text of the General Secretary’s remarks.
Distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front,
Distinguished leaders and former leaders of the National Assembly, and National Assembly deputies throughout different terms,
Dear compatriots and soldiers,
Distinguished delegates, guests, and international friends,
Today, amid the emulation movements launched by the entire Party, people, and armed forces to celebrate the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, we solemnly hold the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the first general election to elect the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
This is not only an occasion to commemorate a momentous historical event, but also a profound opportunity to review the formation and development of Vietnam’s revolutionary democracy, express gratitude to generations who laid the foundation for the people’s right to mastery, and reaffirm the political determination of the entire Party and people to continue reforming and perfecting institutions, enabling the country to develop rapidly and sustainably in a new era — the era of Vietnam’s rise.
On behalf of the Party and State leadership, I respectfully extend my warm greetings and best wishes to Party and State leaders and former leaders, leaders and former leaders of the National Assembly, National Assembly deputies throughout different terms, compatriots, soldiers, and international friends.
Distinguished delegates, compatriots, and friends,
Exactly 80 years ago, responding to the call of the late President Hồ Chí Minh, on January 6, 1946, for the first time in the nation’s history, Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of gender, social background, ethnicity, religion, or political viewpoint, directly cast their ballots to elect representatives to the highest state power body.
At a time when the country had just gained independence, the revolutionary government was still in its infancy, and faced threats from both internal and external enemies, the general election was nevertheless organized democratically, openly, seriously, and successfully, with voter turnout reaching 89 percent. The election resulted in 333 National Assembly deputies being elected, vividly reflecting broad representation and the spirit of great national unity, with participation from political parties, social strata, ethnic groups, and religious communities across the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam.
The 1946 general election was organized according to the most progressive democratic principles of the time: universal, equal, direct suffrage and secret ballot. This historic event became a brilliant milestone, marking the first major leap forward in the democratic institutional development of the new Vietnamese state and affirming a fundamental truth: state power belongs to the people.
The success of the first general election was not only the result of patriotism and the nation’s will for independence and freedom, but also vivid evidence of the correct and creative revolutionary path pursued by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Hồ Chí Minh, opening a new chapter in building a state of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Distinguished delegates, compatriots, and friends,
From the historic milestone of 1946, through 80 years of accompanying the nation and 15 terms of operation, the Vietnamese National Assembly has continuously matured and grown, affirming its role as the center of the country’s political and legal life and as a constitutional institution playing a pivotal role in building and perfecting the socialist rule-of-law state of Vietnam.
In the field of constitution-making and legislation, the National Assembly has promulgated five Constitutions, each associated with major turning points in Vietnam’s revolutionary history. Each Constitution has reflected the country’s level of development and demonstrated continuous innovation in thinking about the organization and operation of state power. In particular, the adoption by the 15th National Assembly of a Resolution amending and supplementing several provisions of the Constitution marked a new stage in constitutional development, institutionalizing the two-tier local government model, streamlining the apparatus, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national governance, and meeting the country’s development requirements in the new period.
The National Assembly has increasingly demonstrated its role as a pioneer in institution-building, proactively translating the Party’s guidelines and policies into laws in a timely manner; promoting innovative legislative thinking toward creating conditions for development; and strongly applying digital technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in legislative activities, contributing to the formation of a comprehensive, transparent, and stable legal framework for national development.
The National Assembly’s supreme supervision activities and those of its agencies have continuously been renewed, becoming more substantive and focused on major and pressing issues in socio-economic life, closely connected with the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the people. Through these efforts, the National Assembly has contributed to strengthening discipline, order, effectiveness, and efficiency in the operation of the state apparatus.
In exercising its function of deciding major national issues, the National Assembly has demonstrated political steadfastness, collective wisdom, and a high sense of responsibility before the people and history, with many timely and appropriate decisions on socio-economic development, national defense and security, foreign affairs, organizational reform, and senior state personnel.
Parliamentary diplomacy has been comprehensively promoted in a proactive and effective manner, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s position and reputation internationally and demonstrating the image of Vietnam as a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.
Throughout this 80-year journey, the National Assembly has always maintained close ties with the people, listened to their voices, and truthfully reflected their will and aspirations, deserving to be a vivid embodiment of the great national unity bloc, the highest representative body of the people, and the highest state power body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Distinguished delegates, compatriots, and friends,
Looking toward the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1930–2030) and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the country (1945–2045), our Party has set the goal that by 2045, Vietnam will become a developed, strong, prosperous, and happy nation. This is a great aspiration and the shared will of the entire Party, people, and armed forces.
To realize this aspiration, the National Assembly’s role in creating development-oriented institutions is of particularly important significance. Without breakthroughs in institutions and laws; without a National Assembly with strong political will, wisdom, decisive action, and a high sense of responsibility, these great goals will be difficult to achieve.
In this context, the National Assembly must continue to uphold its glorious 80-year tradition, take the lead in institution-building, make courageous decisions on difficult issues, new tasks, and unprecedented areas; and pave the way for innovation, rapid development, and sustainable growth of the country.
I propose that the National Assembly continue to pursue the following orientations:
First, continue building the National Assembly into a truly supreme state power body that promotes democracy and the rule of law, becoming modern, professional, open, transparent, effective, and efficient in both organization and operation.
Second, continue strongly renewing legislative thinking toward creating and guiding development. Promote strategic breakthroughs, build a new development ecosystem, and focus on completing and synchronizing institutions to enable rapid and sustainable national development. At the same time, fundamentally renew and improve the quality and effectiveness of legislative activities, ensuring national governance through the Constitution and laws while meeting the requirements of international integration.
Third, improve the quality of supervision, viewing supervision as a tool to create and promote development, combining “building” with “preventing,” with “building” as the fundamental and long-term approach. Continue improving questioning, explanation, and oversight of legal documents; pay attention to monitoring, reviewing, and urging the implementation of recommendations after supervision; and strictly implement confidence votes conducted by the National Assembly.
Fourth, improve the quality of decisions on major national issues based on comprehensive, scientific, and transparent data.
Fifth, deepen parliamentary diplomacy, further contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s position in the international arena.
Distinguished delegates,
Our country is entering a historic moment of great significance. The responsibility placed on the National Assembly and each National Assembly deputy is extremely heavy, but also immensely honorable.
Ahead of the election of the 16th National Assembly, the Party and the people expect National Assembly deputies to continue to be outstanding representatives of intelligence, political will, ethics, and dedication to serving the Fatherland and the people; to dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility; to place national interests above all else; and to continue the glorious 80-year tradition of the Vietnamese National Assembly.
On the occasion of the New Year 2026 and in preparation for welcoming the Lunar New Year of Bính Ngọ, I wish all delegates, compatriots, soldiers, and international friends good health, happiness, and success. I wish the Vietnamese National Assembly continued strength and development, worthy of the trust and affection of the Party, the State, and the people.
Thank you very much.
*Headline provided by People’s Deputies Newspaper.
