Vo Van Thuong elected new President of Vietnam

FRIDAY, MARCH 03, 2023

The National Assembly of Vietnam on Thursday morning confirmed Politburo member Vo Van Thuong as the new State President of Vietnam for the 2021-26 term during an extraordinary meeting held in Hanoi.

A total of 487 deputies out of the 488 present at the NA Building in Hanoi voted to pass the parliament's resolution on electing Thuong to the post.

He was the candidate nominated by the Party Central Committee after they convened a day earlier in Hanoi, also during an extraordinary meeting.

Thuong, 53, from the southern province of Vinh Long, holds a Master's in Philosophy.

He has been a member of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the Party, for two tenures.

Newly elected Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech to the National Assembly on his election. — VNA/VNS Photo

 

He has been the youngest permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat since 1976, and also the youngest in the currently 16-member Politburo.

During the swearing-in ceremony that took place shortly after the parliament's vote, the new President swore allegiance to the Fatherland, to the people, and to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

"(I will) strive to fulfil to the best of my abilities the responsibilities and missions entrusted by the Party, State, and the people," the newly-elected President said.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on behalf of the parliament has recognised the oath of the new President and congratulated Thuong on the election.

In his speech on taking office, President Thuong thanked the NA for the trust and for giving him the chance to serve the Fatherland and the people in this position.

 

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (right) congratulated and presented flowers to the newly elected State President Vo Van Thuong. — VNA/VNS Photo

He expressed his gratitude to the Party Central Committee, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and leaders of the Party and State for confiding in him and recommending him for this position.

This is a great honour, and a very heavy responsibility for him, Thuong said, expressing his infinite respect and gratitude to the late founding father of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh.

He vowed to constantly study and follow President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle.

He added that Vietnam is striving to be a developing country with modern industry, high middle income by 2030, and a high-income developed country with socialist orientation by 2045, which is the 100th anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In order to achieve this goal, he stressed that a “matter of principle vital to the country and our regime” is being steadfast in its creative implementation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought, being steadfast in pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism, being steadfast in adhering to the Party's renewal efforts, and ensuring the highest interests of the nation, on the basis of fundamental principles of international law.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trọng, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, along with Chair of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien congratulate Thuong on the new position during the ceremony on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

He pledged to “frankly listen to all opinions that are in the best interests of the country and the people of all patriotic Vietnamese,” and base the policies on the legal, legitimate interests of the people.

President Thuong also said he is committed to the fight against corruption, committed to the efforts to build a transparent State apparatus with integrity, committed to national defence and territorial integrity and the maintenance of a peaceful, stable environment to serve the development of the country.

Thuong also noted his commitment to encouraging dynamism and a can-do attitude and creating an environment for everyone, especially the young generation, to have fair and transparent access to development opportunities and contribute to the country.

He also pledged to actively contribute to peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region and the world, in the spirit of Vietnam being a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

After rising in the ranks of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union after joining in 1993, he has served as the Secretary of the central province Quang Ngai Party Committee in 2011, and the Deputy Secretary of HCM City Party Committee for the 2010-15 term.

He became the head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education in 2016 and has been a permanent member of the Secretariat since 2021.

Vo Thi Anh Xuan, 53, from the southern province of An Giang, had served as the Acting State President since the stepping down of her predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc on January 17, 2023.

Viet Nam News

Asia News Network

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