National Assembly Chairman: "Women must not only participate but also shape the country's future"
Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man speaking at the 14th National Women's Congress. Photo: VNA
On June 18, attending and delivering a keynote directive at the 14th National Women's Congress for the 2026-2031 tenure, Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Vietnamese women are increasingly asserting their positions across all fields. He emphasized that in the new development phase, women should not only participate in the process but also become one of the key forces shaping the country’s future.
Humane movements leaving deep imprints
Throughout historical periods, Vietnamese women have always promoted their patriotic traditions, resilient spirit, creativity, and aspiration to rise up, affirming their important roles in all spheres of social life.
Many women have become outstanding leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, workers, and farmers. Vietnam's ratio of female National Assembly deputies is higher than the global and regional averages; the ratio of female deputies in People's Councils at all levels and female party committee members has increased compared to the previous tenure, further affirming the position and contributions of women to national development.
Evaluating the operations of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) over the past tenure, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the core role of the Union in gathering, uniting, and accompanying women nationwide was clearly demonstrated.
The emulation movement "Building New-Era Vietnamese Women" and the campaign "Building a Family of 5 No's and 3 Cleans" continued to make significant contributions to new rural development, civilized urban areas, and sustainable poverty reduction.
Many highly meaningful programs and projects such as "Godmothers", "Accompanying Border Women", and "Supporting Women in Startups" have brought about practical efficiency.
The Union has promoted its core role in women's affairs and gender equality, increasingly fulfilling its function of representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of women.
Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (second from left); Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (third from left); Ms. Le Thi Thuy, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the VFF Central Committee, and President of the VWU (far left); Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (second from right), Member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, along with delegates visiting the exhibition space at the Congress
Union echelons have strictly implemented the restructuring of the organizational apparatus following the three-level government model, adapting quickly to the new operational model to ensure the smooth operation of the Union system.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man warmly welcomed, acknowledged and commended the achievements that the Vietnam Women's Union has attained during the past tenure.
Alongside the achieved results, the National Assembly Chairman noted that there remain difficulties and limitations as stated in the report. The quality of activities at some grassroots Union chapters is not yet high; the method of gathering women in industrial zones has not kept pace with the rapid changes in reality; and participation in protecting against and preventing violence against women and children has sometimes been untimely and ineffective.
The digital transformation capacity and conditions of some Union officials have not met requirements; the ratio of women participating in leadership and management in certain sectors is not yet commensurate with their potential; and the development gap among women across different regions remains wide.
According to the National Assembly Chairman, these are issues that the Congress needs to focus on discussing and find measures to overcome in the next tenure.
He emphasized that the country is entering a new development phase with very high requirements in all aspects, demanding that women not just be a participating force but must truly become one of the vital subjects shaping the country's future development.
The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam affirmed: "We must focus on building Vietnamese women in the new era, promoting the traditions, potential, strengths, intelligence, and spirit of self-reliance and aspirations of women, and actively building progressive, civilized, prosperous, and happy Vietnamese families".
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man expressed his agreement with the 3 breakthrough steps and 5 core tasks proposed by the Congress for the upcoming tenure, while emphasizing five contents that need to be thoroughly discussed by the Congress.
Leaders of the Party, State, and Fatherland Front attending the Congress. Photo: VNA
Union activities must be measured by the quality of life of every woman and child
According to the National Assembly Chairman, the Vietnam Women's Union needs to continue innovating even more strongly, operating more effectively and practically, to quickly bring the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress, the Resolution of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the resolutions of women's congresses at all levels into life.
The Union must pay attention to enhancing knowledge, digital skills, vocational skills, foreign language proficiency, and lifelong learning capabilities for women; and constantly care for rural women, ethnic minority women, and vulnerable women.
The National Assembly Chairman requested the Union to continue supporting the construction of progressive, civilized, prosperous, and happy Vietnamese families in the context of rapid social changes, which are heavily impacted by cyberspace and life pressures.
The Union needs to strengthen education, preserve fine family values, and foster mothering skills, healthcare, and safety skills for women and children, especially in the online environment.
"The results of the Union's activities must be measured by women's satisfaction and the quality of life of every woman and child," the National Assembly Chairman emphasized.
Each Union official must become a reliable anchor when women need them
The National Assembly Chairman required the Union to continue enhancing its representative role, protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of women; actively participating in law-making, supervising, and providing social feedback on policies related to women, family, and gender equality.
In particular, Union echelons must stay close to, listen to, and deeply understand women, ensuring that no woman suffers from abuse, violence, or abandonment without the Union's knowledge and protection.
"Each grassroots Union chapter and Union official must truly become a peaceful anchor for women when in need", said the National Assembly Chairman.
Delegates attending the Congress. Photo: Thu Ha
The National Assembly Chairman stated that it is necessary to build a generation of young Vietnamese women who are resilient, creative, and ready for international integration. The Union needs to develop digital platforms and learning communities, especially the "Digital Literacy" movement; build career support, startup, and innovation networks; and create favorable conditions for young women to participate more in social management and the fields of science and technology.
At the same time, each woman needs to proactively cultivate knowledge, skills, and resilience to perfect herself, nurture family happiness, and actively participate in social life.
Continuing to strongly innovate operational methods, strongly gearing towards the grassroots
According to the National Assembly Chairman, the Union needs to continue strongly innovating its organization and operational methods towards professionalism and substance, strongly gearing towards the grassroots; continue to streamline the apparatus and avoid bureaucratization; and strengthen coordination within the Front system and other political-social organizations.
The application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in operations needs to be further promoted.
The National Assembly Chairman recalled the statement by General Secretary and President To Lam that the Vietnam Women's Union must continue to innovate, create, and act drastically and effectively, deserving to be a reliable address for women nationwide; a firm bridge between the Party and the People; a common home of love and responsibility; and the cradle of vibrant, humane, and highly effective movements.
The National Assembly Chairman also emphasized that women's affairs are the task of the entire political system, requesting party committees, authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and sectors at all levels to continue creating favorable conditions for the Union to successfully perform its assigned functions and tasks.
The Party and State leaders requested the Congress to promote democracy and select the 14th Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union consisting of officials with sufficient qualities, capacity, prestige, and sense of responsibility to lead the women's movement in the new tenure.
The Speaker of the National Assembly expressed confidence that, with their fine traditions, patriotism, self-sacrifice, compassion, creativity, and strong will to succeed, Vietnamese women will continue to make even greater contributions to the rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new era, living up to the eight golden words that beloved President Ho Chi Minh bestowed upon Vietnamese women: "Heroic - Indomitable - Loyal - Capable", contributing to the success of the 14th National Women's Congress.
