The National Assembly of Vietnam on March 2 morning confirmed Politburo member Vo Van Thuong as the new 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.
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| Vo Van Thuong is sworn in as the new State President of the Republic of Vietnam during a ceremony at the National Assembly Building__Photo: VNS/VNA |
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.
He has been the youngest standing 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 fulfill 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 recognized 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.
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 honor, 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.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (right) congratulated and presented flowers to the newly elected State President Vo Van Thuong__Photo: VNA/VNS |
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.
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 building a transparent State apparatus with integrity, committed to national defense 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 the dynamism and 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 in 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, 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 standing member of the Secretariat since 2021.
Vo Thi Anh Xuân, 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.- (VNS/VLLF)
