Party General Secretary To Lam elected state president
(NLDO) - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam underscored the need to develop an independent, self-reliant and resilient economy.
To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and a deputy of the 16th National Assembly (NA), has been sworn in as State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the 2026–2031 term.
On the second day of the legislature’s first session on April 7 morning, the NA approved his election with 495 out of 495 votes in favour, equivalent to 100 percent of deputies present.
State President To Lam takes the oath of office. Photo: VNA/VNS
Delivering his inaugural address, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam reaffirmed his commitment, together with the entire Party, People and military, particularly the Party Central Committee, to building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam.
Key priorities, he said, include maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, promoting rapid and sustainable development, improving living standards so that people fully benefit from development gains, and enhancing Vietnam’s contributions to regional and global peace, stability and progress.
He underscored the need to build a socialist rule-of-law state, develop an independent, self-reliant and resilient economy, and strengthen an all-people, comprehensive and modern national defence and security posture. He also called for a streamlined, effective and efficient political system, alongside a developed, cohesive, culturally rich and humane society.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam delivers his inaugural address - VNA/VNS Photo
The Party General Secretary and State President highlighted the importance of creating a new development ecosystem based on strategic autonomy, in which development underpins stability and stability, in turn, enables rapid and sustainable growth. Central to this approach is a new growth model driven by science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
He stressed the need to modernise the national education system, foster comprehensive human development, and build a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a new development phase. He also called for improving institutions, mechanisms and policies to ensure inclusive, comprehensive and sustainable social development.
On foreign affairs and international integration, he said efforts must be elevated to a new level, contributing more effectively to the country’s strategic goals while demonstrating greater responsibility for global peace and development.
Regarding national defence and security, The Party General Secretary and State President emphasised the need to refine and effectively implement strategies for safeguarding the nation and ensuring national security in the new era.
He called for prioritising the strengthening of capabilities and achieving strategic autonomy in defence and security, while building revolutionary, regular, elite and modern armed forces capable of proactively addressing risks early and from afar, and firmly protecting national sovereignty and security in all circumstances.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a high level of peace, stability, order, discipline and safety, contributing to regional and global stability.