General Secretary To Lam has urged Vietnam’s National Assembly to be bold in confronting unprecedented issues and lead institutional reform to spur national development.
Speaking at the national ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election (January 6, 1946 – January 6, 2026), Party Chief To Lam recalled how, eight decades ago, in response to President Ho Chi Minh’s call, Vietnamese citizens over the age of 18 – regardless of gender, class, ethnicity, religion or political views – exercised their democratic right to vote for the first time in the country’s history.
General Secretary To Lam speaks at the 80th anniversary ceremony of Vietnam’s first general election.
In a fledgling revolutionary state recently freed from colonial rule and surrounded by both internal and external threats, the general election was nonetheless held in a democratic, transparent, and serious manner – and ultimately a great success.
With a voter turnout of 89%, the election brought 333 representatives to the National Assembly. This reflected the spirit of broad representation and national unity, including participation from multiple political parties, social classes, ethnic groups and religions across the North, Central, and South of Vietnam.
According to Mr. To Lam, this historic milestone marked a pivotal leap in democratic institutional development for the new Vietnamese state, affirming the principle that “state power belongs to the people.”
Over its 80-year journey and 15 tenures, the National Assembly has matured significantly, asserting itself as the central institution in Vietnam’s legal and political life. It has played a decisive role in building and perfecting a socialist rule-of-law state.
Five constitutions have been adopted by the National Assembly, each tied to crucial turning points in Vietnam’s revolutionary path. These documents reflected the evolving levels of national development and a spirit of continuous innovation in organizing and exercising state power.
Notably, the 15th National Assembly passed a resolution amending several articles of the Constitution, ushering in a two-tier local government model and streamlining state apparatus for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Today, the National Assembly has increasingly taken the lead in shaping legal frameworks, swiftly translating Party policies into legislation, and driving forward legislative innovation aimed at development. It is also embracing digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies in lawmaking.
These efforts contribute to a transparent, synchronized, and stable legal foundation for the country’s development.
The National Assembly’s oversight role has also been significantly enhanced, with a focus on major, urgent issues that reflect the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the people.
Party Chief To Lam noted that, in deciding critical national matters, the National Assembly has demonstrated political bravery, collective wisdom, and a high sense of responsibility to the people and the nation. Its timely and sound decisions have addressed economic development, national defense and security, foreign policy, state organization, and senior leadership appointments.
Parliamentary diplomacy has been actively and effectively advanced, further elevating Vietnam’s global standing and reputation.
“Throughout the 80-year journey, the National Assembly has remained closely connected with the people, truly reflecting their will and aspirations. It stands as a living embodiment of national unity and the highest representative body of the people and of state power,” said the General Secretary.
A heavy yet honorable responsibility
The national ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election was held solemnly at Dien Hong Hall, inside the National Assembly building.
Mr. To Lam emphasized Vietnam’s 2045 goal: becoming a prosperous, developed, strong and happy nation. Achieving this national aspiration, he said, depends greatly on the National Assembly’s role in shaping a development-enabling legal framework.
“Without breakthroughs in legal institutions, without a National Assembly that is courageous, intelligent, decisive and responsible, this grand goal will be difficult to realize,” he stated.
In this context, he urged the Assembly to uphold its proud 80-year tradition, boldly lead institutional innovation, and be willing to tackle difficult and unprecedented matters that pave the way for rapid and sustainable national progress.
He called for building a truly supreme legislative body that promotes democracy, the rule of law, modernization, professionalism, transparency, and effectiveness in its operations.
The National Assembly, he said, must continue innovating its legislative mindset toward development-oriented lawmaking, driving strategic breakthroughs and nurturing new development ecosystems.
It must focus on refining legal institutions comprehensively to foster fast and sustainable national growth.
To Lam also urged a fundamental overhaul to enhance legislative quality and effectiveness, ensuring that national governance is grounded in the Constitution and the law, and meets the demands of global integration.
He stressed that oversight must be seen as a developmental tool. Oversight should be tightly linked to implementation, with a priority on follow-up, accountability, and transparency. Questioning, explaining, and monitoring the enforcement of laws should be improved, and post-monitoring actions must be strictly pursued.
Votes of confidence, he emphasized, must be conducted seriously.
The Party leader also called for improved decision-making on key national matters, based on full, scientific, and transparent data.
He emphasized deepening parliamentary diplomacy to further raise Vietnam’s international profile.
“Our country stands at a historic turning point. The responsibility upon the National Assembly and each of its deputies is immense – but also profoundly honorable,” he concluded.
Vietnamnet.vn
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