Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam has written an article on the success of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure, entitled "The national festival and responsibilities before the People".
The following is a translation of the article.
THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL AND RESPONSIBILITIES BEFORE THE PEOPLE
To Lam
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee
On March 15, 2026, 76 million voters nationwide took part in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure. This was an important political event of the nation, a great festival of the people, held immediately after the success of the 14th National Party Congress. The election carried special historical significance, continuing the 80-year tradition of building a rule-of-law State of the Vietnamese people since the first general election in 1946. Each ballot cast by voters not only expresses the people’s right to mastery, but also conveys their trust and expectations for a bright future for the country, while affirming the nature of our State – “a State of the People, by the People, and for the People.”
Across the country, the election atmosphere was vibrant and celebratory, like a national festival. From early morning, voters in localities headed to polling stations to select candidates of "integrity and capability", entrusting them with their hopes and aspirations for a brighter future for their communities and the nation. Many elderly voters, despite having participated in many elections, could not conceal their emotion and pride as they held their ballots. The atmosphere was filled with confidence, as voters nationwide gladly expressed their will and aspirations through their votes, placing their trust in outstanding and deserving representatives.
The spirit of this“national festival” spread from the plains to the mountains, from urban areas to border regions and islands. In northern mountainous provinces, despite difficult travel conditions, voters enthusiastically went to vote early and completed voting with nearly absolute turnout. Authorities in many remote areas proactively brought mobile ballot boxes to the homes of the elderly and infirm, and to patients in hospitals, ensuring that all citizens could exercise their voting rights. The military and police forces assisted election teams in fulfilling their duties in remote islands and supporting fishermen spending long days at sea. In major cities, despite the large number of voters and wide areas, election organisation units made great efforts to achieve a voter turnout rate of 99.68%. Nowhere was voting merely symbolic - throughout the country, election day truly became a national festival, a celebration of the solidarity of the entire people in building their own administration.
This year’s election is even more meaningful as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the first general election (January 6, 1946 - 2026). At that time, amid countless difficulties in the early days of independence, the Vietnamese people conducted the general election to elect the first National Assembly. President Ho Chi Minh called it “a day of great happiness for our people,” because for the first time in history, the Vietnamese people began to enjoy their democratic rights. The success of the 1946 general election firmly affirmed the people’s right to mastery - “rising from the status of slaves to gain independence and establish their own State,” thereby building the first people's democratic State in Southeast Asia.
Over the past 80 years, through 15 terms of the National Assembly, our nation has always taken pride in its tradition of patriotism and the people’s sense of mastery. Whether in times of arduous resistance or in peacetime nation-building, the Vietnamese people have remained steadfast in their trust in the Party, actively participating in elections to build their state apparatus. From the first to the 15th tenure, the National Assembly of Vietnam has always embodied the great national solidarity bloc, bringing together outstanding representatives from all strata, ethnic groups, and religions, regardless of social background. That democratic tradition has nurtured the spirit of today’s election day – each ballot is a vivid testament to the people’s right to mastery and the continuity of our State “of the People, by the People, with all state power belonging to the People.” Looking back on the 80-year journey, we are even more grateful for the sacrifices of earlier generations who fought to secure the right to vote for the people. Continuing that glorious tradition, the election on March 15, 2026 once again affirms Vietnam's will, resilience, and aspirations for democracy on its development journey...
In this "General Election", the nearly 100% voter turnout carries profound significance. It demonstrates the political awareness and sense of civic responsibility, patriotism, and public trust in the Party's leadership. Each ballot represents a vote of faith – the citizens entrust their expectations to the selection of worthy representatives, thereby affirming their strong support and consensus for the socialist democratic regime and the national development path. The almost absolute turnout also showed that the electoral system has done a good job of campaigning and communications, creating supportive conditions for all voters to exercise their rights and duties.
Furthermore, the election results also showed that the public awareness of building the State is increasingly high. Citizens not only voted in large numbers but also took the time to learn about the biographies and action plans of the candidates to choose the most outstanding representatives. The election was truly democratic, fair, lawful, safe, and economical, demonstrating the mettle and intellectual level of a nation that has practised democracy for nearly a century. Public opinions both at home and abroad spoke highly of Vietnam's professional and transparent setup of this election.
The successful election also provided a solid base for our state apparatus to enter a new phase. The results of the March 15, 2026 election are a victory for the people, but at the same time, place great responsibilities on the shoulders of the newly elected representatives. The deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term are those entrusted with power by the people. They will represent the will and aspirations of residents in their constituencies and of the entire people for the next five years. The role and position of delegates are very noble: each delegate is a bridge between the people and power organs, taking part in deciding important national and local issues. Therefore, the Party, State, and voters nationwide demand that each deputy be deeply aware of his or her honour and responsibility, and constantly strive for self-improvement so as to be worthy of the public trust.
Tay ethnic voters in Na O village of An Lac commune, Bac Ninh province, cast their ballots with enthusiasm on March 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
The new term 2026–2031 opens as the country is entering a crucial stage of development, with a mix of opportunities and challenges. The 14th National Party Congress set strategic goals for the country, including the resolve to make Vietnam a developed country with high income by 2045. To realise that aspiration, the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels in the new term must strive for strong innovation and creativity in all activities. Deputies need to closely follow the dynamic realities of the renewal process, actively contribute their brainpower to perfecting the legal system, strengthen the effectiveness of supreme supervision, and make sound decisions on important socio-economic, budgetary, national defence, and diplomatic issues in response to new demands.
Alongside their efforts in the legislature, each deputy must maintain close ties with voters and always listen to the public voices. This is both a legal obligation and a moral requirement for a representative of the people. Voters expect deputies of the new term to stay closer to the people, remain more deeply engaged at the grassroots level, and promptly bring pressing issues from daily life to the legislative forum for discussion and settlement. At the same time, each deputy must uphold the spirit of exemplary conduct and integrity, "always remembering and practicing the saying: For the benefit of the nation, forget personal gain; for the common good, forget private gain" as instructed by President Ho Chi Minh. This is a requirement of morality and integrity: those entrusted with power by the people must wholeheartedly and diligently serve the Fatherland and the people, resolutely fight against individualism, and stay away from all temptations of power and vested interests. Only by truly “placing the interests of the Fatherland and the people above and before all else” can deputies fulfill the glorious responsibilities entrusted to them by the people.
On the other hand, the National Assembly and People’s Councils for this term feature a large proportion of newcomers, with more than 70% of National Assembly candidates standing for election for the first time. This represents a fresh wave that promises to bring creative energy and innovative thinking to elected bodies, while also requiring young deputies to quickly acquire the skills and knowledge needed to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. Each representative must proactively learn from the experience of previous generations while promoting their own strengths and professional expertise in parliamentary activities. Discipline and solidarity within the National Assembly are also of paramount importance: deputies must work closely together, comply with regulations, and at the same time confidently contribute their views in a constructive spirit. Only in this way can the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels truly become intelligent, united leadership collectives acting for the interests of the people.
The success of the election has created new momentum and a strong foundation for the entire Party, people and army to move forward confidently into a new stage of development. In the immediate term, we must stabilise the organisation of the National Assembly and local administrations following the election and promptly bring the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress into practice. The upcoming first session of the 16th National Assembly will elect key leaders of the country and adopt the legislature’s action programme for the whole term, requiring joint efforts and a high sense of responsibility from every deputy. Newly elected representatives must uphold a spirit of serving the Fatherland, immediately begin their duties with new energy and new determination, living up to the expectations of voters.
The next five years will be of great importance as Vietnam strives to make breakthroughs and advance toward the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045. Opportunities and challenges are intertwined, and the new context demands stronger unity and collective efforts from the entire nation than ever before. I sincerely call on compatriots, soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese communities to continue promoting patriotism and revolutionary spirit, supporting and supervising the activities of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, and actively participating in patriotic emulation movements, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of socio-economic development goals for the 2026–2031 period.
Amid the joy and pride brought by the success of this national festival, we are once again reminded of President Ho Chi Minh’s cherished words: “Unity, unity, great unity – Success, success, great success.” The spirit of national solidarity helped us to achieve glorious feats in the past and today it remains the key to reaching new heights of development. With firm confidence in the wisdom and resilience of the Vietnamese people, and under the wise leadership of the Party, we are determined to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam toward the goal of “prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, equity and civilisation.” The success of this election provides a solid foundation for the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels to operate effectively and fully harness the strength of the entire nation on the path of renewal and integration. A bright future lies ahead as the entire country joins hands to transform the joy of election day into concrete action, building an ever more prosperous and happy Vietnam and realising the aspiration for a peaceful, independent, democratic, strong, prosperous, civilised and happy Vietnam steadily advancing toward socialism./.
