At the ceremony, he stressed that all lawmaking, state organizational, and state power-exercising activities must comply with the Constitution, and all agencies and officials vested with authority must operate within the framework of the Constitution and the law and be held accountable for the performance of their assigned duties and powers.
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General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the ceremony. |
The top leader recalled that the first National Assembly adopted Viet Nam's first Constitution at its second session on November 9, 1946, affirming that state power belongs to the people and establishing national unity, democratic freedoms, and a strong and wise people's government as fundamental principles of the new State.
These core values have been upheld and developed through successive stages of the revolution and the process of state building and institutional development under the Party's leadership. The 2013 Constitution, together with its 2025 amendments and supplements, further institutionalized advances in the country's understanding and practice of organizing and exercising state power, he said.
The 80th anniversary provides an opportunity to reaffirm the fundamental values of Viet Nam's constitutional tradition: national independence must go hand in hand with the people's right to mastery, while state power belongs to the people and must be organized and exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
As the 14th National Party Congress sets development goals for 2030 with a vision toward 2045, and science and technology drive profound changes, Viet Nam needs a consistent and feasible institutional framework and an effective state apparatus to translate the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws into tangible results.
General Secretary and President To Lam outlined several key tasks, reiterating that the Constitution must be respected and strictly enforced, while research and proposals for its improvement should be pursued proactively. All agencies and officials must operate within the constitutional and legal framework and take responsibility for exercising their assigned powers and duties.
The N.A. and its agencies must assume greater responsibility for ensuring the constitutionality of the legal system. Policy assessment, debate and decision-making must give due consideration to constitutional grounds, particularly those related to the organization of state power and human and citizens' rights.
Violations must be addressed, their consequences remedied and responsibilities clearly established, he said.
The top leader emphasized that decentralization and the delegation of authority must be accompanied by adequate implementation conditions and appropriate oversight. Party committees must lead and inspect the institutionalization and implementation of Party guidelines, while Party organizations and members must set an example in observing the Constitution and the law and remain subject to public oversight.
He called for a comprehensive review of the implementation of the 2013 Constitution to provide a basis for theoretical and practical research into possible comprehensive amendments. The review should also assess the provisions amended and supplemented in 2025, identifying those that should be retained and areas requiring further improvement.
He stressed the need to promote the people's right to mastery and respect, protect and guarantee human and citizens' rights. As the people's highest representative body and the highest state power body, the N.A. must translate its responsibilities into decisions that serve the people's interests and the country's long-term development.
N.A. deputies should maintain close contact with voters, faithfully reflect their legitimate aspirations and consider issues from the perspective of the broader national interest, he added.
The Viet Nam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations should strengthen oversight and social criticism, while state agencies must respond to public feedback and promptly address shortcomings and violations. Judicial bodies, meanwhile, must uphold justice and protect human and citizens' rights.
The exercise of citizens' rights must respect the lawful rights and interests of others, as well as the national interest, he said.
The leader also called for improvements to institutions and policy-making based on constitutional principles to meet long-term development needs. Laws must fully concretize constitutional provisions and ensure consistency, avoiding conflicting regulations that could hinder development.
The legal framework should encourage responsible innovation, manage risks in the public interest and remove unreasonable barriers to development, he added.
He urged the N.A. to improve its decision-making on major national issues in line with the country's overall development strategy. The Government and agencies responsible for proposing and appraising policies must take responsibility for their recommendations, ensure objectivity and prevent local interests or undue influence from distorting policy objectives.
In foreign affairs, the legislature must safeguard national interests, strengthen autonomy and provide a sound legal foundation for international integration while honoring international commitments.
He also called for stronger oversight of major decisions, resource use and accountability, with a clear distinction between shortcomings in policy design and failures in implementation.
He expressed confidence that, under the Party's leadership and with the strength of national solidarity, the N.A. and other state agencies will uphold the spirit of the 1946 Constitution through the exercise of power, public service and improvements in people's lives, contributing to the building of a prosperous, civilized and happy Viet Nam as the country steadily advances toward socialism.
Addressing the ceremony, N.A. President Tran Thanh Man affirmed the legislature's commitment to continuing reforms in constitutional and legislative work and fully implementing the top leader's guidance.
The N.A. will continue to renew its thinking and actions, improve the quality of constitutional and legislative work, and take the lead in institutional development. It will address difficult and unprecedented issues through careful consideration and well-grounded decisions, creating room for innovation and more effective governance to promote rapid and sustainable national development, Man said.
He affirmed that, under the Party's leadership and with the people's support, the 16th-tenure N.A. will work closely with the Government, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, judicial bodies, authorities at all levels, sectors and localities.
Drawing on the expertise of scientists, experts and managers, as well as the responsibility, democratic spirit and creativity of N.A. deputies, the legislature will fulfill its assigned tasks and contribute to building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, affluent, civilized and happy nation.
Translated by Chung Anh