• The 1st National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society was held on 23 November 1946 at Thanh Am Communal House, Van Dinh Town, Ung Hoa District, Ha Tay Province (now Van Dinh Commune, Hanoi). The Congress unanimously acclaimed President Ho Chi Minh as the Honorary President of the National Society and elected the first Executive Committee, headed by Dr. Vu Dinh Tung as President. This marked the official establishment of the Vietnam Red Cross Society.
• The 2nd National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society took place on 19 November 1960. Prior to the Congress, on 5 June 1957, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the State of Viet Nam, declared the country’s accession to the 1949 Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims. On 4 November 1957, the Vietnam Red Cross Society was officially recognized as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These milestones established the legal foundation for the National Society’s participation in international humanitarian activities.
• The 3rd National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society was held on 15–16 December 1965. At the proposal of President Ho Chi Minh, Honorary President of the Society, the Congress resolved to change the Society’s name from the Vietnam Red Cross Association (Hội Hồng Thập Tự) to the Vietnam Red Cross Society (Hội Chữ thập đỏ). Dr. Vu Dinh Tung was re-elected as President.
• The 4th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society convened on 10–11 December 1971. The Congress amended the Society’s Statutes and elected a 26-member Executive Committee. Dr. Vu Dinh Tung continued to serve as President. On this occasion, the Society was awarded the Second-Class Labour Order by the State.
• The 5th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society was held on 11–12 March 1988, during the country’s Đổi Mới (Renovation) period initiated by the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The Congress implemented the Party’s orientations on Red Cross work in accordance with Directive No. 14-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee Secretariat on strengthening the organization and enhancing the role of the Vietnam Red Cross Society. A 65-member Executive Committee was elected, and Professor Nguyen Trong Nhan, Minister of Health, was elected President. The Society was awarded the First-Class Independence Order.
• The 6th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society took place on 15–17 March 1995. The Congress acclaimed Party General Secretary Do Muoi as Honorary President and elected a 119-member Executive Committee. Professor Nguyen Trong Nhan was re-elected as President.
• The 7th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society was held on 7–9 August 2001. The Congress acclaimed State President Tran Duc Luong as Honorary President and elected a 110-member Central Executive Committee, an 18-member Standing Committee, and a 5-member Permanent Board. Professor Nguyen Trong Nhan continued as President. On 31 July 2003, at the fourth meeting of the 7th-term Central Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Vice Minister of Health, was elected President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society.
• The 8th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society was held on 28–29 June 2007 under the theme “Together for Humanity.” The Congress continued to acclaim President Tran Duc Luong as Honorary President and elected a 117-member Central Executive Committee, a 33-member Standing Committee, a 9-member Inspection Committee, and a 6-member Permanent Board. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tang, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, was elected President.
• The 9th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (2012–2017 term) was held on 4–5 July 2012 under the theme “Renewing Thinking – Building Position – Protecting Life.” The Congress acclaimed State President Truong Tan Sang as Honorary President and elected Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Agencies Bloc, as President. On 8 January 2016, the fifth meeting of the 9th-term Central Executive Committee elected Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, Deputy Secretary of Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee, as President.
• The 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (2017–2022 term) was held on 15–16 August 2017 under the theme: “Continuing to build a strong and professional National Society, serving as the core force, bridge and coordinator in humanitarian work, for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable people in society.” The Congress acclaimed President Tran Dai Quang as Honorary President. At the end of 2018, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong was assigned by the Politburo to serve as Honorary President. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu was re-elected President. On 13 January 2022, the sixth meeting of the 10th-term Central Executive Committee elected Dr. Bui Thi Hoa, Permanent Vice President of the Viet Nam Women’s Union, as President.
• The 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (2022–2027 term) took place on 29–30 August 2022 under the theme: “Building an increasingly strong Vietnam Red Cross Society, effectively promoting its core role in humanitarian work, providing practical assistance to people in difficult circumstances and vulnerable groups, actively implementing the Party’s and the State’s social security policies, joining hands to build compassionate communities, and making positive contributions to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.” The Congress acclaimed State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc as Honorary President and re-elected Dr. Bui Thi Hoa as President. In April 2023, State President Vo Van Thuong assumed the position of Honorary President (until April 2024). On 18 October 2025, at an extraordinary meeting of the 11th-term Central Executive Committee, Dr. Do Thi Thu Thao, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society for the 2025–2030 term, was elected President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society.
• The 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (2026–2031 term) was held in Hanoi on 27–28 July 2026 under the theme: “Promoting the Society’s Core Role in Humanitarian Work; Advancing Innovation, Digital Transformation and Resource Mobilization; Building a Strong National Society, Safe and Resilient Communities, and Sustainable Development.” The Congress acclaimed Party General Secretary and State President To Lam as Honorary President of the 12th-term Vietnam Red Cross Society and re-elected Dr. Do Thi Thu Thao as President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society. The Congress adopted the action motto “Unity – Innovation – Professionalism – Resilience”, identified three strategic breakthroughs, two nationwide movements, one national campaign, and one flagship programme, laying the foundation for building a modern and professional National Society that effectively fulfills its role as the core force, bridge and coordinator in humanitarian work, contributing to social security and the country’s sustainable development.