Over its 80-year journey with the nation, the National Assembly of Vietnam has stood as a powerful symbol of national unity, serving as the country’s highest organ of state power and the supreme representative body of the people.

Over its 80-year journey with the nation, the National Assembly of Vietnam has stood as a powerful symbol of national unity, serving as the country’s highest organ of state power and the supreme representative body of the people. Throughout this period, the National Assembly has continuously strengthened and renewed itself, refining its organizational structure and working methods while enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations. These sustained efforts have played a vital role in consolidating public confidence in the cause of national construction, defense, and development.

Following its establishment, the 1st National Assembly (1946 -1960) exercised the authority of the highest organ of state power of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. From 1946 to 1954, the National Assembly stood alongside the people in both resistance and nation-building, a defining and distinctive chapter often referred to as the period of the “Resistance National Assembly”. During this time, the assembly vested concentrated authority in the government, while its Standing Committee worked closely with the executive, contributing to major policy deliberations and exercising oversight and supervision of governmental activities.

Between 1954 and 1960, the National Assembly accompanied the nation in pursuing two strategic tasks: in the North, restoring, transforming, and developing the economy, culture, and society along a socialist path. In the South, continuing the national democratic revolution through the struggle for liberation, thereby paving the way toward peace and national reunification.

Over its 14 years of operation, the 1st National Assembly convened 12 sessions, adopted the 1946 and 1959 Constitutions, and passed 16 laws together with 50 major resolutions, laying a foundational legal and institutional framework for the Vietnamese state.

President Ho Chi Minh casted his ballot to elect deputies to the 5th-term People’s Council at polling station No. 1, Sub-zone 1, Ba Dinh Quarter, Hanoi (April 27, 1969). Photo: VNA

 

During this period, the National Assembly operated under the 1959 Constitution and the 1960 Law on the Organization of the National Assembly. Its activities unfolded in the context of the North advancing the construction of socialism while serving as the strategic rear base for the resistance war against the United States.

Man (Dao) ethnic people view election propaganda posters for the 2nd National Assembly election (1960). Photo: VNA

At its first session, the 6th National Assembly adopted a resolution renaming the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; confirmed that the legislature elected in the nationwide election on April 25, 1976 was the 6th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and officially renamed Saigon - Gia Dinh City as Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNA

From the 2nd through the 5th National Assemblies, legislators adopted a wide range of critical laws and resolutions governing economic management, foreign relations, and administrative organization. These decisions helped consolidate national strength, contributed to victory in the war, and played a decisive role in the General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the completion of the national democratic revolution and the reunification of the country.

Notably, the 6th National Assembly (1976 - 1981) was the 1st legislature of a unified Vietnam. It resolved to rename the country the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; designated the national flag, emblem, and anthem; renamed Saigon - Gia Dinh as Ho Chi Minh City; and affirmed Hanoi as the capital of the unified nation. At its 7th session in December 1980, the National Assembly adopted a new constitution for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - the 1980 Constitution.

During this period, the National Assembly was organized and operated under the 1980 Constitution and the 1981 Law on the Organization of the National Assembly and the Council of State. It was formally defined as the highest representative body of the People and the supreme organ of state power for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and as the sole authority vested with constitutional and legislative powers. The National Assembly also exercised supreme oversight over all state activities.

The 7th National Assembly (1981 - 1987) and the 8th National Assembly (1987 - 1992) adopted two legal codes, 35 laws, and 35 resolutions, while the Council of State issued 54 ordinances. Notably, the 8th National Assembly operated during the initial phase of the country’s comprehensive Doi moi (Renewal) process, launched by the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. At its 11th session in 1992, the National Assembly adopted the 1992 Constitution, marking a pivotal milestone in the institutional and legal reform of the Vietnamese state.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong visited a Vietnamese-language class in Prague, Czech Republic (2009). Photo: VNA

Since 1992, the National Assembly has undergone continuous renewal aimed at enhancing the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of its operations. Its activities have become increasingly open and transparent, with a clear focus on three core functions: legislation, building and amending the legal system; oversight strengthening supreme supervision; and deciding major issues of national importance.

From the 9th through the 12th National Assemblies, significant reforms were introduced in legislative work, oversight, and external relations. Oversight activities were expanded through interpellation, hearings, inspection delegations monitoring the enforcement of laws, and a stronger focus on urgent public concerns, including anti-corruption efforts.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his official visit to Vietnam (October 13, 2024). Photo: VNA

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung delivered remarks at the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States (August 31 - September 2, 2015). Photo: VNA

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on the afternoon of September 10, 2024 (local time). Photo: VNA

The 13th National Assembly (2011 - 2016) marked a major milestone, as voters nationwide participated in the election of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council members at all levels on the same day, on an unprecedented scale. Its most notable achievement was the adoption of the 2013 Constitution in its entirety. This term also set historic precedents by introducing confidence votes for positions elected or approved by the National Assembly and by requiring all members of the government to respond to interpellations before the legislature.

The 14th National Assembly (2016 - 2021) continued to enact a wide range of important laws to operationalize the provisions of the 2013 Constitution and further refine the state apparatus. This term also marked a significant leap forward in the application of information technology, most notably through the adoption of hybrid parliamentary sessions, combining online and in-person meetings, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 15th National Assembly (2021 - 2026) was elected with the highest voter turnout in history, at 99.6 percent. Legislative work has been carried out with a spirit of proactive lawmaking, achieving notable results, particularly in revising laws to support the streamlining of the political system. To date, the 15th National Assembly has convened 17 sessions, including nine extraordinary sessions and eight regular sessions.

 

Party General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first General Election for the National Assembly. Photo: VNA

On the afternoon of December 11, 2025, in Hanoi, the National Assembly held the closing ceremony of the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Party General Secretary To Lam, along with current and former Party and State leaders and delegates, attended the closing session. Photo: VNA

The development of the National Assembly over the past 80 years has been a continuous process of inheritance and constant innovation, affirming its position as the supreme representative body of the People and the country’s highest organ of state power, meeting the requirements and tasks of each stage of the Vietnam revolution.

• Story: VNP
• Photos:  VNA
• Translated by Nguyen Tuoi