16th National Assembly: Strengthening the leadership apparatus, creating new impetus for development

The first session of the 16th National Assembly completed crucial personnel work, consolidating the leadership apparatus and creating an important foundation for improving national governance capacity and achieving objectives.

During the first 2.5 working days, with a sense of urgency, seriousness, and responsibility, the First Session of the 16th National Assembly completed its personnel work.

Strengthening the state apparatus in accordance with the Constitution is the central focus of the session, and it is of great importance, directly determining the quality and effectiveness of the state apparatus throughout the term.

Strengthening the apparatus of the highest state power organs.

On April 6th, during the morning session, the National Assembly passed a resolution electing Mr. Tran Thanh Man, member of the Politburo and Chairman of the 15th National Assembly, to continue serving as Chairman of the 16th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In his inaugural address, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized his determination to continue reforming the National Assembly, promoting the application of science and technology, digital parliament, and artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency.

He affirmed the motto: “Actions speak louder than words, act immediately, act correctly, act effectively, and see things through to the end,” while strongly innovating legislative thinking towards “caution in method but decisiveness in action.”

Chairman of the 16th National Assembly Tran Thanh Man takes the oath of office. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

Later that afternoon, the National Assembly elected six Vice Chairpersons: Mr. Do Van Chien , Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Ms. Nguyen Hong Dien, Mr. Nguyen Doan Anh, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong; and elected 11 members to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. Thus, the Standing Committee of the 16th National Assembly officially has 18 members.

The National Assembly also elected the leaders of specialized agencies: Chairman of the National Assembly’s Ethnic Affairs Committee, Lam Van Man.

The chairpersons of the committees are: Mr. Phan Chí Hiếu (Law and Justice), Mr. Phan Văn Mãi (Economy and Finance), Mr. Lê Tấn Tới (National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs), Mr. Nguyễn Đắc Vinh (Culture and Society), Ms. Nguyễn Thanh Hải (Science, Technology and Environment), Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Đông (Representative Affairs), Ms. Lê Thị Nga (Petition and Oversight); the Secretary General of the National Assembly – Head of the National Assembly Office, Lê Quang Mạnh, and the Auditor General, Nguyễn Hữu Nghĩa, were elected.

So that the people can enjoy the fruits of development.

On the morning of April 7th, with 495 out of 495 delegates voting in favor, the 16th National Assembly passed a resolution electing Mr. To Lam – General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam of the 14th term and a delegate to the 16th National Assembly – to the position of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the term 2026-2031.

In his inaugural address, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that the top priority is to thoroughly understand and implement the principle that “the people are the foundation.”

The General Secretary and President emphasized: “Strongly promote the leading role of the people, mobilize the strength of the people and the great national unity. The highest goal and ultimate destination is for the people to enjoy the fruits of development.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the National Assembly, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (from the Hai Phong City National Assembly delegation) emphasized that the unification of the two positions of General Secretary and President has met the current requirements of the country’s work, as well as ensuring the continuous, convenient, and consistent leadership of the Party over all aspects of socio-economic development and the political apparatus in general; the ultimate goal is for the people to enjoy the fruits of development.

According to the delegates, with the streamlining of the apparatus and consistent direction, all viewpoints and guidelines of the Party will be promptly and quickly institutionalized by the National Assembly; and implemented decisively and effectively by the Government to meet the requirements of new tasks in the new situation…

On the afternoon of April 7th, Mr. Le Minh Hung, member of the Politburo and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, was elected to the position of Prime Minister.

Speaking before the National Assembly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stated that the Government will focus its utmost efforts on five key strategic directions: Building a modern, innovative, and people-serving government; Making the utmost effort to manage the economy to achieve high and sustainable growth; Effectively operating the organizational structure according to the new model; Building a united, coordinated, and collaborative government; and Building a government that is honest, disciplined, courageous, and responsible.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung pledged that he and the Government, ministries, departments, and localities would unite wholeheartedly and resolutely lead the country into a phase of breakthrough development, becoming rich, prosperous, civilized, and happy.

Also on April 7th, the National Assembly elected Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan as Vice President, Mr. Nguyen Van Quang as Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, and Mr. Nguyen Huy Tien as Director of the Supreme People’s Procuracy.

On the morning of April 8th, the National Assembly discussed and voted to approve resolutions ratifying the appointment of six Deputy Prime Ministers, including Mr. Pham Gia Tuc, Mr. Phan Van Giang, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Mr. Ho Quoc Dung, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, and Mr. Le Tien Chau, as well as other members of the Government.

Thus, the new government has 17 ministers and heads of departments. All 17 ministers and heads of departments are members of the Central Committee of the Party, including 3 members of the Politburo: General Phan Van Giang (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense); General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security; and Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The vast majority of ministers and heads of departments are also members of the 16th National Assembly.

In the assembly hall, delegates voted to approve the Resolution ratifying the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court regarding the appointment of 8 Supreme People’s Court judges and the restructuring of the National Defense and Security Council, with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung as Vice Chairman.

A message about political stability

In discussions on the sidelines of the National Assembly, delegates expressed their confidence and expectations in the newly restructured leadership. Delegate Trinh Xuan An (Dong Nai) commented: “This is not just an organizational matter, but a particularly important political step. This restructuring ensures continuity and smooth leadership, especially after the 14th National Congress of the Party.”

The delegates emphasized that the elected personnel all meet the requirements of the new development phase with “higher pressure and greater demands.”

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presents flowers to congratulate the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and other members of the Government for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

Representatives Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong) and Tran Hoang Ngan (Ho Chi Minh City) shared the same view that the absolute unity in the election results is a message of political stability. Voters nationwide are placing their trust in the constructive spirit and boldness of those “at the helm” to lead the country into a new era of national development.

According to the program approved at the preparatory meeting, the First Session of the 16th National Assembly will take place over 11 days and will be divided into two phases (Phase 1 from April 6-12; Phase 2 from April 20-23, with April 24-25 as a contingency).

The work program focuses on consolidating the top-level personnel apparatus and thoroughly discussing legislative programs right from the beginning of the term.

Within 2.5 days of the first phase, the 16th National Assembly finalized 39 high-level state leadership positions at the central level, a key focus in completing the leadership apparatus for the new period.

The restructuring of the top leadership aims to ensure the stability, continuity, and smooth functioning of the political system immediately after the elections.

This work also demonstrates the role of the National Assembly as the highest representative body of the people, directly deciding on important issues and institutionalizing the Party’s policies into law; selecting a leadership team with quality and capacity is an important prerequisite for organizing the implementation of development goals, improving national governance capacity and meeting the people’s expectations for reform in the new era.