Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, on behalf of deputies of the 16th National Assembly, presents flowers in congratulation to NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, NA vice chairpersons, and NA Standing Committee members. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) must first of all be a body that remains close to the people, understands the people, serves the people, and acts for their interests, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm stressed while attending the opening of the first session of the 16th legislature in Hà Nội on Monday.

The opening sitting was also attended by incumbent and former leaders of the Party and State, representatives of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, senior officials from ministries and central agencies, ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Hà Nội, as well as domestic and international media correspondents based in the capital.

Building on achievements of previous terms

Delivering the opening address on behalf of the 15th NA Standing Committee, NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn noted that despite numerous difficulties and challenges facing the country, the legislature had continued to make sustained efforts and introduce a number of significant reforms. These included renewed thinking in law-making, greater application of science, technology and innovation, and the assertion of its role as “pioneering in institutional development”, thereby helping to remove bottlenecks and unlock resources for national development.

He stressed that the 16th NA and its members must continue to inherit and build upon the achievements of previous terms, uphold a strong sense of responsibility, political resolve and steadfastness, and adopt modern governance thinking. Deputies should also demonstrate sharp and constructive critical engagement, possess sound legislative skills and a long-term vision, and be capable of addressing emerging issues in line with the rapid development of science and technology, ensuring that laws are not only “sound on paper” but also “effective in practice”.

Acting for the interests of the people

In his keynote address, Party Secretary Lâm underscored that the NA embodies the will, aspirations and mastery of the people; serves as the forum for deciding on major national issues; and translates the Party’s policies into laws, policies and practical organisation strength.

On that basis, he called on the 16th legislature to focus on four key priorities: fundamentally reforming legislative work to build a modern, coherent, stable and feasible legal system conducive to development; enhancing the effectiveness and substance of supreme supervision; strengthening judgement and vision in deciding on critical national issues to ensure timely and accurate decisions aligned with long-term national interests; and continuing to renovate the organisation and operational methods of the NA to make it more professional, responsive, and closely connected to the public.

He further stressed the need to consider increasing the number of sittings in a reasonable manner, diversify and flexibilise working methods, and make greater use of digital technologies, online formats, and digital ecosystems to improve the timeliness, proactivity and effectiveness of policy deliberation and decision-making.

The Party chief also called for further improvements in the quality and effectiveness of individual deputies, particularly full-time members, and for strengthening the role of NA delegations as a vital bridge between the legislature and voters. Each deputy, he said, must combine political integrity with professional competence, critical capacity, and the ability to faithfully convey the voice of the people to the legislative chamber.

Personnel decisions and leadership consolidation

During the morning session, with 100% per cent of deputies present voting in favour, the NA adopted a resolution electing Trần Thanh Mẫn, Politburo member and Chairman of the 15th legislature, as Chairman of the 16th NA.

In the afternoon, with unanimous approval from all 496 deputies present, the legislative body elected six vice chairpersons: Đỗ Văn Chiến, Nguyễn Khắc Định, Nguyễn Thị Thanh, Nguyễn Hồng Diên, Nguyễn Doãn Anh, and Nguyễn Thị Hồng.

The legislature subsequently approved the election of members of the NA Standing Committee, again with full support from all 487 deputies present. The 11 members elected are Lâm Văn Mẫn, Phan Chí Hiếu, Phan Văn Mãi, Lê Tấn Tới, Nguyễn Đắc Vinh, Nguyễn Thanh Hải, Nguyễn Hữu Đông, Lê Thị Nga, Lê Quang Mạnh, Hoàng Duy Chinh và Vũ Hải Hà.

The 16th NA Standing Committee thus comprises 18 members, including the chairman, six vice chairpersons, and 11 members.

Resolutions were also adopted appointing the Chairperson of the NA Council for Ethnic Affairs and heads of NA committees.

Meanwhile, with all 481 votes in favour, Lê Quang Mạnh was elected NA Secretary General and Chairperson of the NA Office. Also with unanimous support from all 485 deputies present, Nguyễn Hữu Nghĩa was elected State Auditor General for the 2026–2031 term. — VNA/VNS