Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam

Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam is the presiding officer of the National Assembly of Vietnam, the country's supreme representative body and highest organ of state power. The Chairman is elected by the National Assembly from among its deputies and leads the National Assembly Standing Committee. This position is a key component of the political structure of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, operating under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Role and powers

The Chairman presides over sessions of the National Assembly of Vietnam and meetings of its Standing Committee. They direct the preparation, convening, and chairing of the National Assembly's meetings, ensuring adherence to the Constitution of Vietnam and the Law on Organization of the National Assembly. The Chairman signs resolutions and laws passed by the legislature, including important legal codes like the Penal Code and the Civil Code. They also represent the National Assembly of Vietnam in domestic affairs and international relations, engaging with bodies like the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other national legislatures. Furthermore, the Chairman is a statutory member of the Council for National Defense and Security.

Election and term

The Chairman is elected by National Assembly deputies from among their membership through a secret ballot, following nomination by the President of Vietnam. The election is organized by the National Assembly.

List of officeholders

Since the first legislature, the role has been held by prominent figures in Vietnamese politics. The inaugural Chairman was Nguyễn Văn Tố, elected in 1946 during the First Indochina War. Key historical holders include Trường Chinh, a major ideological figure, and Lê Quang Đạo, who served during the Đổi Mới reforms. Nguyễn Văn An oversaw legislative work in the early 2000s, followed by Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the current General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân became the first woman to hold the position in 2016. The current Chairman, Trần Thanh Mẫn, was elected in May 2024, succeeding Vương Đình Huệ.

Constitutional history

The office was first established under the 1946 Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Its powers and role were subsequently defined by the 1959 Constitution, the 1980 Constitution, and the current 1992 Constitution (amended in 2001 and 2013). The 2013 constitutional amendments further clarified the Chairman's position as part of the Standing Committee, reinforcing the assembly's role as the highest state power organ. The legal framework is detailed in the Law on Organization of the National Assembly.

Relationship with other state bodies

The Chairman works within the unified state structure led by the Communist Party of Vietnam. They coordinate closely with the President of Vietnam, the Government of Vietnam led by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, and the Supreme People's Court. The Chairman presents the President's proposals for election or dismissal of key officials, such as the Chief Justice or the Prosecutor General, to the National Assembly of Vietnam for approval. This interaction ensures the principle of democratic centralism and the separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches as practiced in Vietnam.

Category:National Assembly of Vietnam Category:Chairs of lower houses Category:Government of Vietnam