In the historical currents of the modern Vietnamese State, National Assembly elections have always held a position of paramount importance, embodying the people's right to mastery and the functioning of socialist democracy. Within the exhibition space of the National Assembly Library, hundreds of precious artifacts, documents, and memorabilia are preserved, vividly recreating the formation and development of the National Assembly of Vietnam, as well as the milestones of general elections over the past eight decades.
Set within the exhibition space of the National Museum of History in Hanoi, a rustic wooden ballot box preserves the memory of a pivotal turning point in Vietnamese history. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
The opening section of the exhibition introduces memorabilia associated with pivotal turning points of the State. The national flag flown at the Tan Trao National Congress in August 1945 stands as a sacred symbol of the historic moment when the entire nation rose to seize power. Alongside it is the Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945 - re-typed in 1955 - confirming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the prerequisite for establishing state institutions, including the National Assembly.
One of the most significant milestones of Vietnamese democracy was the first General Election to elect the 1st National Assembly in January 1946. The decree issued by the President of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam regarding the organization of the general election is solemnly displayed as historical evidence of the determination to build a state of the people, by the people, and for the people. Ballot boxes and photographs of voters casting their ballots in 1946 help visitors visualize the vibrant atmosphere of this national festival - the first time in history that Vietnamese citizens directly chose their representatives for the highest body of state power.
The National Assembly Library carefully preserves many artifacts associated with President Ho Chi Minh, a truly exceptional delegate of the nation. These include the folder he used when speaking in the hall during the sessions of the 1st National Assembly, his certificate of election for the 3rd National Assembly in 1964, and various documents featuring his original handwriting from 1958 to 1964. These materials not only hold immense historical value but also reflect President Ho Chi Minh's profound dedication to the National Assembly's activities and the promotion of the people’s right to mastery.
The khaki suit worn by President Ho Chi Minh during National Assembly sessions. Photo: Cong Dat/VNP
A particularly symbolic image is the photograph of President Ho Chi Minh casting his vote for the 2nd National Assembly in the Truc Bach sub-district of Hanoi in April 1960. The sight of the President in the simple role of an ordinary voter affirmed the spirit of equality in exercising citizenship rights and continues to inspire generations of Vietnamese voters.
The exhibition area also features decrees from the Provisional Government, the Constitutions of 1946, 1980, 1992, and 2013, along with numerous official seals from agencies involved in constitutional and electoral activities. These items recreate the process of perfecting the legal system and state apparatus through different historical periods. Seals from the 1946 Constitution Revision Committee, the National Assembly Delegation Executive Board, and the Organizing Committee of the 8th session of the 1st National Assembly are artifacts of special legal value, witnessing the rigor of the National Assembly's legislative work.
Documents featuring President Ho Chi Minh’s original handwriting from 1958 to 1964. Photo: Cong Dat/VNP
The space also houses memorabilia linked to prominent National Assembly delegates through the ages. These include the khaki suit worn by President Ho Chi Minh during National Assembly sessions, the military uniform of General Vo Nguyen Giap - a delegate from the 1st to the 7th National Assembly - and the briefcase and reading glasses the General used during his tenure in the legislature. These items reflect the sense of responsibility and devotion these delegates held toward the nation's common cause.
Other evocative items include a Nung ethnic costume belonging to Au Thi Le Thom, a delegate of the 2nd National Assembly, made from fabric gifted by President Ho Chi Minh in 1960. This artifact highlights the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic communities and the presence of delegates from all regions within the highest organ of state power.
A close-up of the ballot box used in the first General Election for the 1st National Assembly, January 1946. Photo: Cong Dat/VNP
Memorabilia from the Doi Moi (Renovation) period are also richly represented, from the Erica typewriter used for drafting legal documents between 1976 and 1987, to the laptop used by National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh during the 9th and 10th tenures, and the pens used to sign the 1980 and 2013 Constitutions. These objects reflect the changing methods of work and the modernization of the National Assembly alongside the country's development.
Today, the exhibition space at the National Assembly Library serves not only as a repository of historical values but also as a destination for domestic and international visitors. Through these artifacts, the public gains a deeper understanding of democratic traditions, the spirit of solidarity, and the will to build a rule-of-law state in Vietnam. It is a way for current and future generations to continue cherishing and upholding the precious historical values of the National Assembly - the highest representative body of the people and the symbol of state power belonging to the people.
Those interested in learning more about the elections and activities of the National Assembly of Vietnam can access the official website of the National Assembly Library or visit the exhibition in person to view these priceless relics firsthand./.