Building a firm political and legal foundation

In just a few days, more than 73 million voters nationwide will cast their ballots to select the most qualified representatives to serve in the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.

Speaking to the press about the significance of the election as the country enters a new stage of development, Le Quang Manh, Secretary General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Office, said the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly is taking place at a pivotal moment in the nation’s development trajectory. After four decades of Doi Moi reforms and major achievements, Vietnam is stepping into a new phase marked by higher demands for growth quality, national competitiveness, and the effectiveness of state governance.

According to Le Quang Manh, the 14th National Party Congress clearly identified the task of further perfecting the socialist rule-of-law state; building a sustainable, modern, and transparent development framework; accelerating industrialization and modernization on the foundation of science, technology, and innovation; advancing the digital economy and digital society; enhancing national governance; and proactively pursuing comprehensive and in-depth international integration.

These goals require a coherent, stable, and predictable legal system, alongside a robust and effective mechanism for the assignment, coordination, and control of state power. With its constitutional and legislative mandate to shape the institutional framework for development, decide critical national issues, and exercise supreme oversight over the implementation of the Constitution and laws, the National Assembly holds a central position in the state power structure and plays a leading role in institutional reform.

The quality of the National Assembly’s performance has a direct impact on the investment and business environment, public and corporate confidence, the efficiency of the state apparatus, and the country’s standing in the international arena.

At the National Conference on Election Implementation held on November 15, 2025, Party General Secretary To Lam underscored the requirement to organize the election in a democratic, lawful, safe, and cost-effective manner, ensuring it truly becomes a nationwide festival of the people.

This requirement extends beyond organizational procedures. It conveys a deeper message: the quality of democracy and representation must be safeguarded from the very outset of selecting deputies, as this marks the starting point of the entire process of exercising state power in the new term.

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly is therefore not merely a routine political event held every five years. It is a major national event in which the people directly confer authority and choose those most worthy to represent more than 100 million citizens in deciding the country’s strategic issues over the next five years.

“The success of the election is measured not only by voter turnout or strict compliance with legal procedures, but also by the quality of the deputies elected, individuals with sufficient courage, intellect, and aspiration for development,” Le Quang Manh emphasized.

In other words, the election marks the beginning of a new phase of institutional reform. When conducted in a democratic and transparent manner, with the right candidates selected in accordance with proper standards, it will establish a solid political and legal foundation for building a 16th National Assembly that is genuinely innovative, professional, decisive in action, and devoted to serving the people, meeting the development requirements of a new era.

Courage, intellect, and responsibility

Discussing the responsibilities that will face the 16th National Assembly and the corresponding expectations for its deputies, Le Quang Manh noted that as the country enters a new stage of development, where each decision of the National Assembly not only addresses immediate challenges but also shapes the nation’s long-term future—the standards for deputies must be elevated not only in formal criteria but also in the depth and quality of responsibility.

First and foremost, deputies must possess firm political resolve and a profound sense of their representative mission. Deputies are directly entrusted by the people to exercise the highest level of state power on their behalf.

Each deputy must demonstrate absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, the people, and the Constitution; place national and ethnic interests above all else; and remain free from undue influence by parochial or special interests. In a context of deep international integration and global competition, such resolve becomes even more critical, as the National Assembly is the forum where the country’s long-term strategic interests are safeguarded through law and policy.

Second, deputies to the 16th National Assembly must demonstrate high-level capacity in policymaking and policy review. Digital transformation, green transition, the circular economy, artificial intelligence, climate change, and population aging are global issues with far-reaching implications for Vietnam.

Every law and resolution adopted today may generate effects for years to come. Deputies must therefore not only grasp domestic realities but also adopt a comparative mindset, engage with international practices, conduct multidimensional impact assessments, and anticipate policy risks.

“In the new phase, legislation must both uphold political orientation and ensure transparency, stability, feasibility, and incentives for innovation. Deputies must deliberate and decide based on empirical data and an open, reform-minded spirit,” Le Quang Manh said.

Third, professionalism and full accountability are indispensable. The National Assembly is increasingly moving toward greater professionalization, with a higher proportion of full-time deputies. This trend demands that each deputy devote more time and intellectual effort to parliamentary duties.

Thorough preparation before each session, the ability to engage in candid yet constructive debate, and a commitment to following through on the implementation of resolutions until tangible results are achieved are all essential. Oversight and questioning are not merely about raising issues; they are about driving change and generating substantive improvements in governance and administration.

Deputies must pursue commitments and post-oversight recommendations to completion, ensuring that laws and resolutions are effectively implemented in practice. These are concrete manifestations of professionalism and accountability in parliamentary work that each deputy must consistently uphold.

Fourth, integrity and political courage are fundamental qualities. The National Assembly is the country’s highest democratic forum. Deputies’ voices must faithfully reflect the will and aspirations of voters; they must be willing to address difficult issues, express independent views in a constructive spirit, and take responsibility for their decisions. The integrity and transparency of each deputy will reinforce public trust in the highest organ of state power.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man has repeatedly stressed that the legislature will continue to strongly innovate its legislative thinking, elevate oversight activities, enhance professionalism, modernize operations, and measure performance by substantive effectiveness and voter confidence.

“That is not only the orientation for the 16th National Assembly but also the standard of conduct for each deputy. The strength of the National Assembly lies in the combined courage, intellect, responsibility, and aspiration to serve the people of every deputy elected by voters,” the Secretary General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Office said.

Organizing the election in a democratic, lawful, safe manner, ensuring it truly becomes a festival of the entire people, will not only provide a favorable start for a new term but also serve as a powerful commitment to a renewed, action-oriented, responsible National Assembly devoted to serving the nation and its people.