The national-level event is designed to widely highlight the major historical and political significance of the first General Election on January 6, 1946, while reaffirming the role, position and important contributions of the National Assembly of Vietnam to the cause of national construction and defence.

The ceremony carried significant political meaning, providing an opportunity for the Party, the people and the armed forces to recall the history of the formation and development of Vietnam’s National Assembly, beginning with the milestone of the first General Election that elected the first-term legislature.

It also served to recognize the contributions, achievements and lessons accumulated over the past 80 years in the cause of building, developing and safeguarding the Socialist Republic of Vietnam across different revolutionary periods.

The event further contributed to raising public awareness, strengthening public confidence in the National Assembly and elected bodies, and promoting the people’s right to mastery and civic responsibility in building a socialist rule-of-law state in Vietnam.

Those attending the ceremony were current and former Party and State leaders; current and former leaders of the National Assembly; current and former members of the National Assembly Standing Committee; National Assembly deputies from different terms; representatives of central agencies, ministries and sectors; and representatives of the standing committees of Party organizations and People’s Councils from 34 provinces and cities.

Key highlights of the ceremony included an exhibition space showcasing the 80-year history of the formation and development of Vietnam’s National Assembly, a digital experience space, and an artistic program celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first General Election.

Over 15 terms of operation, under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam’s National Assembly has made significant and notable contributions to the country’s process of national construction and development.

Following the success of the August Revolution in 1945 and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, at the first meeting of the Provisional Government on September 3, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh proposed that the Government “organize a General Election as soon as possible under universal suffrage, whereby all citizens, men and women aged 18 and above, have the right to stand for election and to vote, without distinction of wealth or religion.”

On January 5, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh issued a call urging the people to go to the polls. Responding to the sacred call of the nation, with the firm resolve of a people determined to safeguard the hard-won independence and freedom, people across Vietnam, from lowlands to highlands, from north to south, from rural areas to cities, regardless of gender or age, turned out to vote in the General Election on January 6, 1946.

Affirming the value and significance of the victory of the first General Election, at the first session of the first National Assembly, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized that it was “the result of the sacrifices and struggles of our forebears, the outcome of the courageous and united struggle of the entire Vietnamese people, united regardless of age, religion or ethnicity, standing together as one to brave danger and secure independence for the Fatherland.”

Over 80 years of national construction and development, Vietnam’s National Assembly has continued to grow and mature, embodying the great national unity bloc. It is the highest representative body of the people and the highest organ of state power of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, closely connected with and accountable to voters, and consistently representing the will and aspirations of the people.

The development of the National Assembly has been a continuous process of inheritance and renewal, meeting the requirements and tasks of each stage of Vietnam’s revolutionary cause.

Party and state leaders attend ceremony marking 80 years since first General Election

VOV.VN - A ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first General Election to elect the National Assembly is held solemnly at the National Assembly House on January 6, with Party General Secretary To Lam, along with current and former Party and State leaders, in attendance.