Viet Nam’s 16th National Assembly election: Important milestone in development trajectory

According to the UNDP Resident Representative, this year's election takes place at a moment when the country is entering a new phase of policy priorities and institutional reforms that will shape its next stage of development.

The 16th National Assembly will therefore play a critical role in advancing legislative and institutional reforms needed to unlock new drivers of growth and sustain Viet Nam's impressive socio-economic progress.

The election also comes as Viet Nam enters the final stretch toward achieving the socio-economic development strategy (2021–2030), the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, and its ambition to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030. The next phase of the national targeted programme is expected to further reinforce this reform and growth momentum.

Central role in translating priorities into effective legislation

Sustained high growth will require significant improvements in labor productivity, human-resource quality, and modern digital and physical infrastructure, particularly in an increasingly volatile global environment.

Key priorities include developing high-quality human capital; promoting science, technology and innovation; strengthening private-sector development; and modernizing strategic infrastructure, including digital, transport and logistics systems.

Upgrading industries and accelerating digital transformation will also be essential to sustain Viet Nam's development momentum.

Recent cornerstone resolutions of the Politburo set an ambitious direction for innovation-driven growth. The new National Assembly will play a central role in translating these priorities into effective legislation, financing frameworks and oversight. 

By establishing an enabling legal and regulatory ecosystem and aligning public investment with innovation priorities, the Assembly can help unlock the full dynamism of Viet Nam's private sector—critical for job creation, productivity gains, green transition and global competitiveness.

The Assembly is also expected to review several important legislative initiatives—including the Law on Marriage and Family, the Law on Adoption, revisions to the Civil Code and Criminal Code, and the Law on International Agreements. These reforms will have wide-ranging implications for both development and the daily lives of citizens, reinforcing the importance of a strong, responsive and forward-looking legislative agenda.

At the same time, the quality of the legislative process remains critical. Ensuring that policymaking is participatory, transparent and inclusive, with broad citizen consultations and appropriate safeguards—including for data privacy—will strengthen both public trust and policy effectiveness. Diversity also strengthens policymaking.

Fostering sustainable, inclusive development in new term

Khalidi noted that the current candidate list includes the highest number of women candidates to date and, for the first time, a candidate with a disability, reflecting growing momentum toward a more diverse and representative National Assembly.

Equally important is ensuring that development policies remain inclusive and people-centred. By strengthening social policies and promoting equal opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, legislation can help ensure that Viet Nam's development progress benefits all citizens and that no one is left behind.

The legislative agenda also provides an important opportunity for Viet Nam to accelerate its transition toward climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development. Stronger legal frameworks can translate national commitments on climate action, biodiversity protection and green growth into concrete policies guiding investment and implementation. This includes expanding renewable energy, promoting circular economy solutions, strengthening climate resilience in agriculture and infrastructure, protecting ecosystems such as forests and mangroves, and addressing environmental challenges such as air pollution that increasingly affect public health and urban quality of life.

By integrating these priorities into legislation, Viet Nam can better align socio-economic development with its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while safeguarding livelihoods, public health and economic stability.

As Viet Nam enters this new legislative term, UNDP remains committed to accompanying the Government, the National Assembly and the people of Viet Nam in advancing inclusive and sustainable development.

"Through our continued partnership on human development good governance, climate action, environment and innovation, we stand ready to support Viet Nam in achieving its development ambitions while ensuring that progress benefits all citizens and leaves no one behind", she emphasized./.