Editor's note: On January 6, 2025, in the capital city of Hanoi, a solemn national ceremony was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the First General Election of the National Assembly of Vietnam (January 6, 1946 - 2026). Member of the Politburo and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man delivered a speech at the ceremony. Communist Review respectfully introduces the full text of the Chairman's address.

Today, in Hanoi, the heart of the nation, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front solemnly and jointly organise the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the First General Election of the National Assembly of Vietnam (January 6, 1946 - 2026). On behalf of the 15th National Assembly, I warmly welcome Party General Secretary To Lam, leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, deputies of different National Assembly terms, and distinguished guests attending today's ceremony.

January 6, 1946, marked a brilliant milestone that opened a new era of development for the Vietnamese nation. The victory of the General Election firmly affirmed the people's right to mastery. From the status of slaves, they rose up to win independence for the country and establish their own State, with full legal foundations representing our entire people both at home and abroad, becoming the first democratic State in Southeast Asia.

At this sacred moment, we gratefully remember the immense contributions of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam and the immense contributions of great President Ho Chi Minh; and we honour and deeply express our gratitude to compatriots, officials, and soldiers who devoted and sacrificed themselves for the Fatherland and the people.

On this occasion, on behalf of the National Assembly, I would like to express my profound gratitude to voters and people throughout the country for placing their trust in and entrusting National Assembly deputies with great responsibilities; sincerely thank the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat for their leadership; respectfully acknowledge the valuable contributions of former National Assembly leaders and deputies of all terms; the close, timely and effective coordination of the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy, Party Central Committee’s commissions, ministries and central-level agencies; Party committees, authorities and mass organisations at local levels; relevant agencies and organisations; and the sincere and effective cooperation and support of international friends.

Over the past 80 years, through 15 terms, under all circumstances, the National Assembly has made important contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, proving worthy of its role as the highest representative body of the people, the highest organ of State power, and a place embodying the intellect, will and aspirations of the entire nation.

With the first Constitution, the 1946 Constitution, and an exceptional term lasting 15 years, the first National Assembly operated under conditions in which the whole country had to carry out the national liberation revolution while gradually carrying out democratic reforms. It made major contributions to the long resistance war against French colonial aggression, culminating in the historic victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, while simultaneously building socialism in the North and continuing the struggle to liberate the South and reunify the country.

Organised under the 1959 Constitution, the second, third, fourth and fifth National Assemblies made important contributions to accomplishing the tasks of economic reconstruction and development in the North, enabling it to become a strong rear for the resistance war in the South. After the complete liberation of the South, the General Election for the sixth National Assembly was successfully held, with the adoption of a new Constitution - the 1980 Constitution. This historic event marked the beginning of a new stage of development, with the National Assembly embarking on building a unified legal system for the construction of socialism throughout the country.

Established and operating on the basis of the 1980 Constitution, the seventh and eighth National Assemblies contributed to helping the Vietnamese revolution overcome numerous difficulties and challenges. A notable achievement of the eighth National Assembly was the adoption of the 1992 Constitution - the Constitution of the Doi Moi (Renewal) period, which was suited to domestic and international realities.

Established and operating under the 1992 Constitution, from 1992 to 2012, the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th National Assemblies made significant strides in building and improving the legal system and in developing a socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people and for the people, meeting the requirements of comprehensively advancing the renewal process and international integration.

With the promulgation of the 2013 Constitution, the 13th and 14th National Assemblies institutionalised the Platform of the Communist Party of Vietnam on national development during the transition to socialism, marking a new stage in the history of constitution-making, legislation and proactive international integration.

Building on and promoting the achievements of previous terms, the 15th National Assembly has operated in a context of considerable difficulties and challenges. Yet, with steadfast resolve, wisdom, democracy, unity and innovation, it has achieved comprehensive results in constitution making, legislation, supreme oversight, decision making on important national issues and parliamentary diplomacy, thereby contributing to socio-economic development, ensuring social welfare, national defence and security; preventing and combating corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena; and building the Party and the political system. In particular, the National Assembly has thoroughly grasped the orientations of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat and General Secretary To Lam on renewing thinking in law making, proactively and promptly institutionalising the Party's guidelines, affirming its pioneering role in leading institutional reform and making decisions on difficult and unprecedented issues. The National Assembly has continuously improved its organisation, renewed and enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations; and promoted the application of digital technology, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Every National Assembly deputy has deeply absorbed the teachings of the beloved President Ho Chi Minh: We must strive to firmly safeguard the independence of the Fatherland, strive to secure happiness for the people, and always remember and practise putting the interests of the country above those of the family, and the common good above personal interests.

The tasks and requirements of the country's new development stage demand that the National Assembly, its agencies and all National Assembly deputies make even greater efforts, strive harder and demonstrate stronger determination; build on the achievements attained, resolutely overcome shortcomings, continue renewing thinking in law making, improve capacity and operational effectiveness, dare to speak, dare to act and dare to take responsibility for the country's rapid and sustainable development and for the prosperous and happy lives of the people.

In the immediate future, it is necessary to actively contribute to the success of the 14th National Party Congress; the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 term; and to join with the entire Party, people, armed forces and political system in successfully fulfilling the goals and tasks set forth by the Party and the State.

We firmly believe that, under the wise leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat, headed by General Secretary To Lam; with the strong consensus and support of voters and people throughout the country, overseas Vietnamese and international friends; together with its wisdom, steadfast political mettle, aspiration for innovation and spirit of serving the people, the National Assembly of Vietnam will continue striving to build a National Assembly worthy of being the Assembly of the people, by the people and for the people, truly the highest representative body of the people and the highest organ of State power, and a vivid embodiment of the socialist rule-of-law State - all for the goal of a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, equity and civilisation.

On behalf of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I wish General Secretary To Lam, leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, National Assembly deputies, international guests, and all delegates, compatriots, officials and members of the armed forces good health, happiness and success./.

*Title provided by Communist Review