High expectations for female delegates of the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam in shaping and leading national development
On the afternoon of 11 April, the Central Committee of Vietnam Women’s Union, in coordination with the National Assembly’s Committee for Delegate Affairs, held a meeting with female delegates of the 16th National Assembly. The event took place in a solemn and cheerful atmosphere during the first session of the 16th National Assembly, marking the beginning of a new term for the highest representative body of the People.
Attending the event were Politburo member and Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân; members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam including National Assembly Vice Chairpersons Nguyễn Thị Thanh, Nguyễn Khắc Định and Nguyễn Thị Hồng; Vice Chairwoman - Secretary General of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front Hà Thị Nga; Deputy Secretary of the Government's Party Committee Nguyễn Thị Tuyến; Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan; Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee for Petitions and Supervision Lê Thị Nga; Chairman of the Committee for Delegate Affairs Nguyễn Hữu Đông; along with leaders of ministries, sectors and female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
From the Vietnam Women's Union were Party's Central Committee member - President of the Union Lê Thị Thủy; Permanent Vice President and delegate of the 16th National Assembly Trần Lan Phương; Vice Presidents Nguyễn Thị Minh Hương and Nguyễn Thị Thu Hiền; leaders of the Committee for Women Affairs and leaders of affiliated units.
Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân (centre); National Assembly’s Vice Chairpersons Nguyễn Thị Thanh, Nguyễn Khắc Định and Nguyễn Thị Hồng; Deputy Secretary of the Government's Party Committee Nguyễn Thị Tuyến; Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan; and President of Vietnam Women’s Union Lê Thị Thủy attend the meeting with female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
"Accurate and on point" voices for the people
Speaking at the event, Ms Lê Thị Thủy, member of the Party's Central Committee and President of Vietnam Women's Union, said the meeting was an occasion to honour female delegates who represent women nationwide in the country's highest state power body. On behalf of the Union's Presidium, she congratulated the female delegates of the 16th National Assembly and expressed hope that they would remain healthy, happy and fulfil their duties with excellence, contributing to the overall success of the new term.
Party’s Central Committee member and President of Vietnam Women’s Union Lê Thị Thủy speaks at the meeting with female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
Party's Central Committee member and President of Vietnam Women's Union Lê Thị Thủy speaks at the meeting with female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
The 16th National Assembly includes 150 female delegates, accounting for 30% of the total number of delegates. "This is not only a personal honour but also reflects the Party and State's attention to female cadre work, as well as the increasingly elevated position of women in political and social life," she said.
Beyond the increase in numbers, the quality of female delegates has also improved, with stronger professional qualifications, political capacity, skills and experience. They maintain close ties with voters, promptly capturing public aspirations and staying grounded in real-life issues.
"This helps ensure that many of their contributions at the National Assembly are 'accurate and on point', addressing issues thoroughly, with solid arguments and reflecting the pulse of life, especially the voices of women and children," VWU's President Lê Thị Thủy noted.
Reviewing previous terms, the Union's leaders acknowledged the notable contributions of female delegates, describing them as steadfast under pressure, sound in decision-making, confident in parliamentary forums and dedicated in serving the people and the nation.
Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân (centre); National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Hồng (fifth from left), President of Vietnam Women’s Union Lê Thị Thủy (fifth from right), Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan (fourth from right), alongside Union’s vice presidents and female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
Female delegates facing "urgent" issues
At the meeting, VWU President pointed to a range of persistent social issues that place significant demands on female delegates in the time ahead. These include gender inequality, violence against women and girls, and imbalances in the sex ratio at birth. Women's participation in leadership roles remains disproportionate to their potential, while the number of female leaders in enterprises is still limited.
Particular challenges remain for women of minority ethnics, women in remote and border areas. In the context of digital transformation, many women risk being left behind without timely support.
Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân (eighth from right) and President of WVU Lê Thị Thủy (ninth from right) present flowers to congratulate female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
In addition, issues related to childcare facilities, kindergartens and housing for female workers in industrial zones, as well as several specific policies, still face shortcomings and require further attention.
"These are not only women's issues but also matters of sustainable national development," she stressed.
National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyễn Khắc Định presents flowers to congratulate female delegates of the 16th National Assembly.
In response to new demands, the Central Committee of VWU expressed confidence and high expectations for the female delegates of the 16th National Assembly. The President of VWU affirmed: "Female delegates would not only participate actively but also take the lead in shaping and contributing effectively to legislative, supervisory and decision-making activities on key national issues; at the same time, they are expected to further demonstrate the role, voice and advancement of Vietnamese women in parliamentary activities, particularly in building, integrating and improving laws related to women, children and gender equality."
She also called on female delegates, in their respective positions, to continue supporting the women's movement and activities for women's advancement, actively promoting gender equality and spreading the image of Vietnamese women in the new era with the values of "courage, intellect, humanity and responsibility".
Female delegates of the 16th National Assembly who are leaders of Vietnam Women’s Union and delegates at the meeting.
Key figures of the 16th National Assembly
According to the resolution announcing the election results of the National Election Council, all 500 delegates of the 16th National Assembly were elected in a single round, with no need for re-elections or additional voting. Of these, 150 are women (30 per cent), marking one of three terms maintaining this ratio. Notably, four provinces and cities recorded female representation exceeding 50 per cent.
Among the female delegates are one Politburo member, three members of the Party Secretariat and nine members of the Party's Central Committee, including one Vice President, one Deputy Prime Minister and two National Assembly Vice Chairpersons.
There are also 41 ethnic minority women elected as delegates. For the first time, the National Assembly includes a representative of the Ơ Đu ethnic group, one of the smallest ethnic communities in Việt Nam. Lò Thị Bảo Vy, 24, a teacher at Quỳnh Lập A Primary School in Nghệ An Province, is the youngest deputy of this tenure.
In addition, eight delegates are leaders and officials of the Vietnam Women's Union at various levels, further affirming the organisation's growing role in the country's political life.
