Party General Secretary and State President To Lam: Development must ultimately benefit the people

On the morning of April 7, with 495/495 present deputies (100%) voting in favor, the National Assembly approved a resolution electing Party General Secretary To Lam, a deputy of the 16th National Assembly, as State President for the 2026-2031 term. The resolution takes effect upon its adoption by the National Assembly.

“Under the sacred red flag with a yellow star of the Fatherland, before the National Assembly, compatriots and voters, I - the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam - solemnly swear: to remain absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the people, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; to strive and do my utmost to successfully fulfill all duties entrusted by the Party, the State, and the people,” Party General Secretary and State President To Lam declared in his oath.

Placing the people at the center, aiming for rapid and sustainable development

In the solemn atmosphere of the inauguration ceremony, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam expressed his profound gratitude to voters and people across the country, whose contributions ensured the success of the elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.

Addressing the National Assembly and the people, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized that the election results are not only a significant political event but also a convergence of the nation’s thousand-year cultural legacy, nurtured by the will and aspiration for national development. This serves as a foundation for realizing the two centennial strategic goals: by 2045, Viet Nam will become a developed, high-income country, successfully building a peaceful, independent, democratic, strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy socialist society.

State President To Lam expressed his deep appreciation for the trust of the Party Central Committee and the confidence of the National Assembly in entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the State. He also conveyed profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, revolutionary predecessors, fallen heroes, and the entire people who have contributed and sacrificed to the nation’s revolutionary cause.

Fully aware of the great responsibility in his role as Party General Secretary and State President, he affirmed that he will, together with the entire Party, people, and armed forces, especially the Party Central Committee, steer the revolutionary cause through all challenges, fulfilling the aspiration of building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Viet Nam.

Amidst new global and domestic requirements, the top priority is to maintain a peaceful and stable environment for rapid and sustainable development, while improving people's lives. The overarching goal is to ensure that citizens enjoy the fruits of development while increasing Viet Nam's contributions to global peace and progress.

General Secretary and President To Lam stated that the entire political system will focus on building a socialist rule-of-law state; developing an independent, self-reliant, and resilient economy; and strengthening modern, all-people national defense and security. Efforts will also be directed toward building a streamlined and efficient apparatus, alongside a cohesive, cultured, and humane society.

A key orientation is to establish a new growth model driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Simultaneously, the focus remains on modernizing education, enhancing human resource quality, and perfecting social policies in a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable manner.

In governance, the President emphasized discipline, responsibility, and substantive efficiency, with the spirit of 'matching words with actions, seeing tasks through to the end, and serving the people.'

Regarding foreign affairs, Viet Nam will implement its integration policy at a higher level, ensuring the highest interests of the nation and people, based on the foundations of peace, independence, and self-reliance.

In defense and security, the central task is to refine the National Defense Strategy and build regular, elite, and modern armed forces capable of protecting the fatherland 'early and from afar' in all situations.

Reaffirming the principle that "the people are the roots," the General Secretary and President committed to promoting the people's role as the primary subjects of development, strengthening great national unity. He underscored: "The highest objective and the ultimate destination is for the people to enjoy the fruits of development."

The State President also expressed his hope for close coordination from agencies across the political system, local authorities, and all compatriots and members of the armed forces at home and abroad in fulfilling the mission of building and defending the Fatherland.

Concluding his address, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized his confidence in the nation’s long-standing tradition of nation-building and safeguarding, as well as in the will and aspiration for progress of the Vietnamese people, affirming that Viet Nam will continue to write new chapters of development and achieve its strategic goals.

He extended his sincere thanks to the Party, the State, the National Assembly, and the people for their trust in entrusting him with this responsibility, and wished all compatriots and colleagues good health and happiness.