Speech by General Secretary To Lam at the 80th Anniversary of the First General Election to elect the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Dear leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front,

Dear leaders, former leaders of the National Assembly and National Assembly deputies through the ages,

Dear compatriots and soldiers,

Dear comrades, delegates and international friends.

Today, in the atmosphere of the entire Party, people, and army competing to achieve achievements to welcome the 14th National Congress of the Party, we solemnly organize 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 opportunity to review an important historical event, but also a moment of profound significance to look back on the formation and development of the Vietnamese revolutionary democracy, to express gratitude to previous generations who have laid the foundation for the people's mastery, and at the same time affirm the political determination of the entire Party and people in continuing to innovate and perfect institutions, bringing the country to rapid and sustainable development in the new era - the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise.

On behalf of the leaders of the Party and State, I respectfully send to you, leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders, former leaders of the National Assembly and National Assembly deputies from all periods, compatriots, soldiers and international friends my warmest greetings and best wishes.

Dear comrades, compatriots and friends,

Exactly 80 years ago, responding to the call of beloved President Ho Chi Minh, on January 6, 1946 for the first time in the history of the nation, Vietnamese people aged 18 and over, regardless of gender, social class, ethnicity, religion or political opinion, directly held ballots to select those who represented them to the highest State power body.

In the context of the country's recent independence, the revolutionary government is still young, surrounded by warlike foreign affairs, the General Election is still organized democratically, publicly, seriously and successfully, with the participation rate of up to 89%. The results elected 333 National Assembly deputies, vividly reflecting the wide representation, the spirit of great national unity, with the participation of Party groups, social classes, ethnic groups and religions of all three regions of the North - Central - South.

The 1946 General Election was held according to the most progressive democratic principles: Publicity, equality, direct and secret ballot. That historic event became a brilliant milestone, marking the first leap forward in the democratic institutions of the new State of Vietnam, affirming a great truth: State power belongs to the people.

The victory of the first General Election is not only the result of patriotism, the will of independence and freedom of the nation, but also a vivid testament to the correct and creative revolutionary guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, opening a new period in the history of building the State of the people, by the people and for the people.

Dear delegates, compatriots and friends,

From the historical milestone of 1946 to 80 years of accompanying the nation and 15 terms of operation, the National Assembly of Vietnam has continuously matured and grown, affirming its role as the center of national political and legal life, a constitutional institution holding a key position in building and perfecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's rule of law state.

In the field of constitution making and legislation, the National Assembly has issued 5 different foundations, associated with major turning points in the Vietnamese revolution. Each Constitution reflects the country's development level, demonstrating a constantly innovative mindset in organizing and operating State power. In particular, the 15th National Assembly's approval of the Resolution amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Constitution has marked a new development step in the history of establishing a two-level, delegating a two-level local government organization model, streamlining the apparatus, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national governance, meeting development requirements in the new period of the country.

The National Assembly has increasingly clearly demonstrated its role as a step ahead in institutional development, proactively institutionalizing the Party's guidelines and policies into laws; promoting legislative innovation in the direction of creating development; strongly applying digital technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in law-making activities, contributing to the formation of a synchronous, transparent, and stable legal framework for national development.

The Supreme Supervisory activities of the National Assembly and its agencies are constantly being innovated, in-depth, focusing on major and pressing issues of economic and social life, closely linked to the legitimate aspirations and aspirations of the people; thereby, contributing to improving discipline, order, effectiveness and efficiency of the state apparatus.

In performing the function of deciding on important issues of the country, the National Assembly has clearly demonstrated political mettle, collective intelligence and high sense of responsibility before the people and history, with many timely and correct decisions on socio-economic development, national defense, security, foreign affairs, organizational apparatus and senior personnel of the State.

Parliamentary foreign affairs activities have been comprehensively, proactively and effectively promoted, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena, clearly demonstrating the image of a Vietnam as a friend, a trusted partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

Throughout that 18-year journey, the National Assembly has always been closely connected with the people, listened to the voices of the people, faithfully reflected the will and aspirations of the people, worthy of being the vivid representative of the great national unity bloc, the highest representative body of the people, the highest State power body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Dear comrades, compatriots and friends,

Towards the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party (1930 - 2030), the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country (1945 - 2045), our Party has set a goal that by 2045, Vietnam will become a developed, powerful, prosperous and happy nation. That is a great aspiration, a unified will of the entire Party, people and army.

To realize that aspiration, the role of the National Assembly in creating development institutions is of special importance. Without institutional and legal breakthroughs; without a brave, intelligent, drastic and responsible National Assembly, those great goals will hardly become a reality.

In that context, the National Assembly needs to continue to promote the glorious 8-year tradition, take a step forward in institutions, bravely decide on difficult issues, new things, and unprecedented areas; pave the way for innovation, for rapid and sustainable development of the country. I suggest that the National Assembly should continue with some of the following orientations:

First, continue to build the National Assembly to truly be the highest State power body, promoting democracy, rule of law, modernity, professionalism; publicity, transparency, effectiveness, and efficiency in organization and operation.

Second, continue to strongly innovate legislative thinking, in the direction of creating and leading development. Promote strategic breakthroughs, create a new development ecosystem; focus on perfecting and synchronizing institutions for rapid and sustainable national development. At the same time, fundamental innovation, improving the quality and efficiency of legislative activities, ensuring national governance through the Constitution and law, meeting the requirements of international integration.

Third, improve the quality of supervision, consider supervision as a creative tool, promote development, link "build" with "rule", taking " build" as a fundamental, long-term thing. Continue to improve the quality of questioning, explaining, and supervising legal documents; focus on monitoring, reviewing, and urging the implementation of recommendations after supervision; strictly implement the collection of the National Assembly's votes of confidence.

Fourth, improve the quality of decision-making on important issues of the country based on a complete, scientific and transparent database.

Fifth, deepening parliamentary foreign affairs activities, contributing to further enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.

Dear comrades,

Our country is facing a historic turning point. The responsibility placed on the shoulders of the National Assembly and each National Assembly delegate is extremely heavy but also extremely glorious.

Before the 16th National Assembly election, the Party and the people expect the National Assembly deputies to continue to be exemplary in intelligence, bravery, ethics and spirit of serving the Fatherland, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility, putting the national interests above all, worthy of continuing the glorious tradition of the 80 years of the Vietnamese National Assembly.

On the occasion of the New Year 2026 and preparing to welcome the Spring of Binh Ngo, I would like to wish you, comrades, delegates, compatriots, soldiers and international friends good health, happiness and success; wish the National Assembly of Vietnam to continue to develop strongly, worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people.

Sincerely thank you!

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