General Secretary: Must shift from good law on paper to good law in life

The first session of the 16th National Assembly officially opened this morning (April 6).

Speaking at the opening session, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that this is a particularly important session, opening a new term for the highest representative body of the people, the highest state power body of our country.

This is a meeting to consolidate the State apparatus organization according to the Constitution, and at the same time is a meeting to focus on institutionalizing the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress, creating all legal, institutional and solid foundations for the country to enter a new period of development, rapid and sustainable development, rich in identity based on science - technology, innovation and the strong aspiration to rise up of the entire nation.

On behalf of the Party Central Committee, the General Secretary congratulated the very good results of the election of National Assembly deputies of the 16th term and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2026-2031 term; congratulated the deputies who have been trusted and elected by voters nationwide.

This is a great honor, and also a great responsibility to the Party, to the people and to the future of the country.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam also expressed his recognition and appreciation for the important contributions of the 15th National Assembly, the 15th National Assembly deputies, and members of the People's Councils at all levels for the 2020-2025 term in the past term who have made efforts to innovate organization, operating methods, improve the quality of legislation, supervision, and decision-making on many important issues, contributing to removing many institutional bottlenecks, restoring and developing socio-economy, and consolidating national defense and security.

Those results, along with the glorious 80-year tradition of the 15th National Assembly, are an important foundation for the 16th National Assembly to inherit, promote and develop to a new height.

The General Secretary clearly stated that the new development stage is posing higher, faster and more drastic requirements on institutions, on growth models, on the quality of national governance, on policy response capacity, on implementation discipline and improving people's living standards.

The General Secretary emphasized that the National Assembly is the place to crystallize the will, aspirations and the right to mastery of the People; is the place to decide major issues of the country; is the place to transform the Party's guidelines into laws, policies and practical organizational strength.

Each National Assembly deputy must always deeply realize that they not only represent the constituency, not only carry the vote of confidence of voters, but also shoulder responsibility for the national destiny, for the people's trust, for the future of future generations.

From that spirit, the General Secretary requested the 16th National Assembly to focus on effectively implementing the following 4 major tasks.

First, strongly innovate legislative work, build a modern, unified, stable, feasible and development-enabling legal system.

In particular, it is necessary to fundamentally innovate the thinking of building laws in the direction of creating development. Law is not only to manage what is already there, but also to pave the way for new things; not only to adjust existing practices, but also to create the future; law is not only to "pave the way" but also to "fix the road".

It is necessary to strongly shift from the mindset of "making enough laws" to the mindset of "making laws for development"; from "good law on paper" to "good law in life". Implementation efficiency and satisfaction of people and businesses must be the highest measure of legislative quality.

Second, elevate the supreme supervision of the National Assembly towards substance, sharpness, and going to the end of responsibility and results.

Supervision is not only to "check what has been done", but also to help "shape what needs to be done", identify early possible inadequacies and must go to the bottom of the final question: has the problem been resolved or not.

Third, improve bravery and vision when deciding on important issues of the country; decisions must be correct, accurate, and timely, for the long-term benefit of the nation.

Fourth, continue to innovate the organization and methods of operation of the National Assembly towards modernity, professionalism, closeness to the people, closeness to reality and faster policy response.

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