A brief history of Vietnam’s National Assembly

Throughout 13 terms, the National Assembly has made significant contributions to national liberation, construction and defence as the people’s highest representative body and the highest state body of power.

On August 16, 1945, more than 60 representatives attended the National People’s Congress in Tan Trao, Tuyen Quang province, called by the Viet Minh and which made the decision to stage the General Uprising, culminating in the August Revolution.

1st National Assembly (1946-1960)
Election day: January 6, 1946. Total deputies: 403. Elected deputies: 333. Appointed deputies: 70

The Resistance Coalition Government debuted and took the oath of office at the Hanoi Opera House on March 2, 1946.

2nd National Assembly (1960-1964)
Election day: May 8, 1960. Total deputies: 453. Elected deputies: 362. Southern deputies from the first term: 91

National Assembly deputies cast their ballots to elect the President and Vice President at the first plenary meeting in July 1960.


3rd National Assembly (1964-1971)
Election day: April 26, 1964. Total deputies: 453. Elected deputies: 366. Deputies from the previous term: 87

Young voters in Hai Phong went to the polls for the first time in April 1964.

4th National Assembly (1971-1975)
Election day: April 11, 1971. Total elected deputies: 420

President Ton Duc Thang and National Assembly Chairman Truong Chinh posed for a photo with ethnic deputies in June 1971.


5th National Assembly (1975-1976)
Election day: April 6, 1975. Total elected deputies: 424

Ethnic voters in the Viet Bac region cast their ballots for the 5th National Assembly in April 1975.

6th National Assembly (1976-1981)
Election day: April 25, 1976. Total elected deputies: 492

The National Assembly adopted the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem of the reunified Vietnam.

7th National Assembly (1981-1987)
Election day: April 26, 1981. Total elected deputies: 496

Soldiers and officers on the Truong Sa island cast their ballots for the 7th National Assembly.

8th National Assembly (1987-1992)
Election day: April 19, 1987. Total elected deputies: 496

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 8th National Assembly

9th National Assembly (1992-1997)
Election day: July 19, 1992. Total elected deputies: 395

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 9th National Assembly

10th National Assembly (1997-2002)
Election day: July 20, 1997. Total elected deputies: 450

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 10th National Assembly


11th National Assembly (2002-2007)
Election day: May 19, 2002. Total elected deputies: 498

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 11th National Assembly

12th National Assembly (2007-2011)
Election day: May 20, 2007. Total elected deputies: 493

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 12th National Assembly

13th National Assembly (2011-2016)
Election day: May 22, 2011. Total elected deputies: 500

The opening session of the first plenary meeting of the 13th National Assembly