National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that during the 80 years of formation and development, under the leadership of the Party, the National Assembly of Vietnam has continuously grown, increasingly better performing its function as the highest representative body of the people, the highest State power body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, contributing significantly to the effective implementation of the country's foreign policies and guidelines.
Parliamentary diplomacy has become an important channel, supplementing Party and State diplomacy, creating a combined strength for modern Vietnamese diplomacy, while enhancing Vietnam's international position.
The history of the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities is closely linked to the cause of protecting and building the revolutionary government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. During the period of 1945 - 1975, the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities carried a strong revolutionary imprint, laying a political, legal and international relations foundation for the future period of professional and comprehensive development.
During the period of 1975 - 1986, the country entered a period of restoration and reconstruction in the conditions of embargo and economic encroachment. The 6th National Assembly (1976 - 1981) was the first National Assembly of Vietnam to unify, marking a major change in the institutions and organization of the apparatus. During this term, the National Assembly decided to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and in April 1979, Vietnam officially became a member of this organization. This is an important step forward in international integration.
Entering the period of Renovation, the foreign affairs activities of the National Assembly continue to be consolidated, expanded, and promoted the role and position of the Vietnamese National Assembly in the international arena. To date, the National Assembly has established parliamentary relations with more than 140 countries, participating in most regional and world parliamentary organizations such as IPU, AIPA, APPF, APF...
On the multilateral level, the outstanding mark of the Vietnamese National Assembly is the hosting of many major conferences such as the IPU 132 Conference (2015), APPF 26 (2018), AIPA 41 (2020), the APF Executive Committee Conference and the Francophone Parliamentary Cooperation Forum on Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security, and Climate Change response (1st, 2025).
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized that the proactive participation of the Vietnamese National Assembly in multilateral parliamentary forums is the practical implementation of Directive No. 25-CT/TW of the Secretariat on promoting and elevating multilateral foreign affairs to 2030. Vietnam not only "participated" but also took on the role of host many times, affirming its capacity, bravery and proactiveness in integrating internationally.
Vietnam's initiatives, especially on climate change and water security, have been recognized and clearly demonstrated their responsibility in the international community. This is also an important channel to protect national interests and mobilize international consensus on strategic issues such as peace, security, and sustainable development.
In the work of legislative and supreme supervision of foreign affairs, the National Assembly has issued, amended and supplemented many legal provisions, creating a solid foundation for the implementation of foreign policies. The National Assembly has reviewed and ratified many strategic agreements, from new-generation free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, to international human rights treaties. Through that, the National Assembly both affirmed international responsibility and ensured national interests.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Foreign Service (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025), the National Assembly, together with the entire Foreign Service, continues to promote the glorious tradition, synchronously and effectively deploy foreign channels, contributing to building a comprehensive, modern and professional diplomacy for the sustainable development of the country.
