A great responsibility rests on my shoulders.

The first session of the 16th National Assembly has just been solemnly inaugurated in Hanoi - marking the beginning of a new term for the highest representative body of the people, the highest organ of state power in our country, aiming to consolidate the state apparatus and focus on institutionalizing the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party.

General Secretary To Lam was sworn in as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the term 2026-2031.

At the session, expressing the trust and expectations of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army in the leader of the Party and the State, the National Assembly elected General Secretary To Lam to the important position of President. With unanimous approval, the National Assembly voted to pass resolutions electing Le Minh Hung as Prime Minister and Tran Thanh Man as Chairman of the National Assembly.

In his inaugural speech, Comrade To Lam expressed his profound awareness that assuming the responsibilities of General Secretary and President of the Republic is an immense honor, a sacred and noble responsibility and duty.

Comrade, I pledge to work together with the entire Party, the entire people, the entire army, especially the Central Committee, to steer the ship of revolution through all storms and rough seas, reaching its destination soon, fulfilling President Ho Chi Minh's aspirations and the nation's dream: "The entire Party and people unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, and make a worthy contribution to the world revolutionary cause."

The spirit of General Secretary and President To Lam has deeply permeated the very first working days of the new term's session. The National Assembly and the Government have strongly demonstrated a mindset, awareness, and actions that match words, being cautious in method but decisive in action.

Many important decisions considered and decided at the session were placed within the overall strategy of rapid, safe, and sustainable national development in the context of a volatile international environment.

Speaking at the National Assembly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that although the target of "double-digit" growth is a huge challenge given the many adverse impacts of external factors on the macroeconomic situation, "We do not accept low growth. We must persevere in the goal of high, sustainable, and substantive economic growth" - as directed by General Secretary and President To Lam at the 2nd Plenum of the 14th Central Committee.

The recent term of the National Assembly and the Government has made efforts to innovate the organization and methods of operation, improve the quality of legislation, supervision, implementation, and decision-making on many important issues, contributing to removing bottlenecks, restoring and developing socio-economic activities, strengthening national defense and security, and enhancing the country's international standing.

These achievements serve as an important foundation for the 16th National Assembly and the Government for the 2026-2031 term to inherit, develop, and elevate to a new level, with the particularly important task of creating a legal framework, institutional framework, and policy impetus for the country.

Currently, the groundbreaking development of science and technology is leading to many changes in production methods, productive forces, growth models, national governance methods, and social life.

With proactive strategies, timely institutional reforms, the unleashing of creativity, and the activation of resources, Vietnam will rise and develop.

Members of the National Assembly emphasized that the difficulties and challenges ahead are much greater and more severe than in the previous period. The development and implementation of policies and laws must be placed within a new context, with higher demands for quality. Whether or not these are done well depends largely on the political acumen, strategic vision, and depth of expertise of the highest legislative and executive bodies.

It is necessary to thoroughly understand the statement made at the first session of the 16th National Assembly by General Secretary and President To Lam: Laws are not only for managing what already exists, but also for paving the way for the new; not only for regulating existing practices, but also for creating the future; laws not only "open the way" but also for "correcting the way".

For new issues, new fields, new models, and new productive forces, a suitable approach is needed, along with bold, controlled pilot programs that create room for innovation and enhance national competitiveness. We must shift strongly from a mindset of "making laws just to fulfill requirements" to one of "making laws for development"; from "good laws on paper" to "good laws in practice."

Reporting on the results of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh stated that this was the largest election ever held, with over 76 million voters participating in 72,000 polling stations, achieving a turnout rate of 99.7%; voters nationwide elected all 500 National Assembly deputies.

This result affirms the people's trust in the Party and the State; it demands that the National Assembly delegations, as well as each individual National Assembly representative, be deeply aware of their responsibilities in the face of the nation's historical opportunities and challenges.

VINH KHANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trong-trach-cao-ca-tren-vai-post955143.html