Across the country, the election atmosphere took place sôi nổi, phấn khởi like a festival. From early morning, voters in localities came to the polling stations, selecting people "good enough, talented enough" to send their beliefs and aspirations for a better future for their homeland and country. Many elderly voters, despite having gone through many elections, still could not hide their emotion and pride when holding their ballots in their hands. The election atmosphere took place solemnly and full of faith: voters nationwide were happy to express their will and aspirations through their ballots, trusting and selecting typical delegates worthy of representing themselves.
The spirit of "mountain and river festival" spread from the plains to the mountains, from urban areas to borders and islands. In the northern mountainous provinces, despite difficult travel, voters still enthusiastically went to the polls very early and completed early voting with a nearly absolute rate. Many remote and isolated localities have proactively brought mobile ballot boxes to homes for the elderly and patients in hospitals, ensuring that all citizens have the right to vote. Soldiers and police support election teams to complete their tasks in remote islands and fishermen operating for long days at sea. In large cities, despite the very large number of voters and wide area, election organizing units have made great efforts to achieve a voter turnout rate of 99.68%. Nowhere is voting just a formality - truly across the country, election day has become a festival of the mountains and rivers, a festival of the spirit of national unity in building their own government.
The election on March 15, 2026 is even more meaningful as it takes place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first General Election (January 6, 1946). At that time, amidst the countless difficulties of the early days of gaining independence, the Vietnamese people held the General Election to elect the 1st National Assembly. President Ho Chi Minh called it "a joyful day for our compatriots", because for the first time in history, the Vietnamese people began to enjoy their democratic rights. The victory of the 1946 General Election firmly affirmed the people's right to mastery - "from slave status to rise up to win independence, organize their own State", building the first people's democratic state in Southeast Asia.
In the past 80 years, with 15 terms of the National Assembly, our nation has always been proud of the tradition of patriotism and the people's sense of ownership. Whether in the arduous resistance war or in peacetime building the country, the Vietnamese people have wholeheartedly believed in the Party, actively participating in elections to build their state apparatus. The National Assembly of Vietnam from term I to term XV has always been the embodiment of the great national unity bloc, gathering outstanding delegates from all classes, ethnicities, religions, regardless of social composition. It is that democratic tradition that has nurtured the spirit of today's election day - each ballot is a vivid proof of the people's right to mastery and for the continuous continuation of our State "owned by the People, all state power belongs to the People". Looking back at the 80-year journey, we cherish even more the sacrifices of the previous generation to win free votes for the people. Continuing that glorious tradition, the election on March 15th. 2026 once again affirms the will, determination and aspiration for democracy of the Vietnamese nation on the path of development.
In this "General Election", the voter turnout of nearly 100% is of profound significance. This is the expression of political awareness and civic responsibility, patriotism and people's belief in the Party's leadership. Each ballot is a ballot of faith - people place their expectations on the selection of worthy delegates, thereby affirming their strong consensus and support for the socialist democracy and the path of national development. The almost absolute rate also shows that the election organization system has done a good job of mobilization and propaganda, creating favorable conditions for all voters to exercise their rights and obligations.
In addition, the election results also showed that the people's awareness of building the State is increasingly high. People not only went to the polls in large numbers, but also paid attention to learning the biographies and action programs of candidates to select the most outstanding delegates. The election was truly democratic, equal, lawful, safe and economical - showing the bravery and level of people's knowledge of a nation that has practiced democracy for nearly a century. Public opinion at home and abroad highly appreciated the professional and transparent organization of Vietnam in this election.
The successful election is also a solid premise for our state apparatus to enter a new stage. The election results on March 15, 2026 are the victory of the people, but also place great responsibilities on the shoulders of the newly elected delegates. The 16th National Assembly delegates and delegates of the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term are the people who are trusted by the people to entrust power. They will represent the will and aspirations of the people in their constituency and of the people nationwide for the next 5 years. The role and position of delegates is very noble: each delegate is a bridge between the people and the power body, participating in deciding important issues of the country and localities. Therefore, the Party, the State and voters nationwide demand that each delegate be deeply aware of their honor and responsibility, and constantly strive to train to be worthy of the people's trust.
The new term 2026-2031 opens in the context of the country entering an important development stage, with opportunities and challenges intertwined. The 14th Party Congress has identified strategic goals for the country, including the determination to make Vietnam a developed country with high income by 2045. To realize that aspiration, the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels in the new term must strive to innovate and be strongly creative in all activities. Delegates need to closely follow the vibrant reality of the renovation process, actively contribute intelligence in perfecting the legal system, enhance the effectiveness of supreme supervision and make correct decisions on important issues of socio-economics, budget, defense, foreign affairs... in the face of new requirements.
In parallel with efforts in the parliament, each delegate needs to maintain close contact with voters, always listening to the voice of the people. This is both a legal obligation and a moral requirement for a representative of the people. Voters expect the new term delegates to be closer to the people, deeper into the grassroots, and promptly bring pressing issues of life into the parliament for discussion and resolution. At the same time, each delegate must uphold the spirit of exemplaryness and integrity, "must always remember and practice the saying: For the benefit of the country, forget the benefit of the home; for the common good, forget the private good" as instructed by President Ho Chi Minh [1]. That is the requirement for ethics and bravery: delegates who are empowered by the people must wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland, serve the people, resolutely fight against individualism, stay away from all temptations of power and group interests. Only when truly "putting the interests of the Fatherland and the People first and foremost", can delegates fulfill the glorious responsibilities entrusted by the people.
On the other hand, the structure of the National Assembly and People's Councils in this term has a large proportion of first-time delegates participating (more than 70% of National Assembly candidates are first-time candidates). This is a new breeze, promising to bring creative energy and innovative thinking to the elected body, but also raises the requirement that young delegates need to quickly grasp skills and knowledge to do their role well. Each delegate must proactively learn from the experience of previous generations, and at the same time promote their strengths and expertise in parliamentary activities. Discipline and solidarity in the National Assembly are also extremely important factors: delegates need to closely coordinate, comply with regulations, and boldly contribute their opinions in a constructive spirit. Only then can the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels truly become intelligent, united, and action-oriented leadership collectives for the benefit of the people.
The success of the election opens up a premise and new impetus for the entire Party, people and army to firmly move into a new stage of development. In the immediate future, we need to quickly stabilize the organization of the National Assembly and authorities at all levels after the election, urgently bring the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress into life. The first session of the 16th National Assembly about to open will consolidate key leadership positions of the State, approve the National Assembly's action program for the entire term, requiring the joint efforts and high responsibility of each delegate. Elected delegates need to uphold the spirit of serving the Fatherland, immediately start working with new energy, new determination, not disappointing the expectations of voters.
The next 5 years are of utmost importance for Vietnam to break through and rise up, towards the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045. Opportunities and challenges are intertwined; new opportunities require the entire nation to join hands and be more united than ever. I earnestly hope that all compatriots, soldiers across the country and overseas Vietnamese will continue to promote the tradition of patriotism, revolutionary spirit, support and supervise the activities of the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels, actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, contributing to the successful implementation of socio-economic development goals in the 2026-2031 period.
With joy and excitement at the victory of the Mountains and Rivers Festival, we remember even more the advice of beloved Uncle Ho: "Solidarity, unity, great unity - Success, success, great success". The spirit of national unity has helped us make glorious feats in the past, and today is the key to conquering new heights of development. With deep belief in the intelligence and will of the nation, under the wise leadership of the Party, we are determined to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam, for the goal of "rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization". The success of this election is a solid premise for the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels to operate effectively, maximizing the strength of the entire nation on the path of renovation and integration. A bright future is ahead; the whole country joins hands and hearts, turning the joy of election day into practical actions, building Vietnamese homeland to become increasingly prosperous and happy, to realize the aspiration of a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam, firmly moving towards socialism.
[1] The call of President Ho Chi Minh was published in Cuu Quoc newspaper, issue 134, dated January 5, 1946.
