Voters across Việt Nam take part in nationwide election

HÀ NỘI For generations, election days in Việt Nam have been marked by flag-lined streets, carefully decorated polling stations and streams of voters heading to cast their ballots in cities, villages, mountainous areas and on remote islands.

In these important moments, the democratic spirit is strengthened, providing a foundation for the country’s stability and sustainable development. VNS

A festival for all citizens

Elections are a fundamental means of putting into practice the principle that State power belongs to the people.

By casting a ballot, citizens exercise not only a basic political right but also their responsibility for the functioning of institutions, the quality of the State apparatus and the country’s development path.

Vietnamese voters have consistently demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and trust, recognising that the State is of the people, by the people and for the people.

During the country’s first general election on January 6, 1946, Việt Nam had only recently gained independence and was facing grave internal and external threats. Nevertheless, 89 per cent of eligible voters nationwide cast their ballots. In Hà Nội, turnout reached 91.95 per cent.

Voter participation has remained consistently high in subsequent elections, with tens of millions of people from urban and rural areas, mountainous regions and islands choosing their representatives to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.

Such participation reflects the close connection between citizens’ political rights and their responsibility to the community. It is also why election day in Việt Nam is often described as a festival for all citizens.

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–31 term, held on March 15, once again demonstrated the strength of public participation and national unity. This unity has helped Việt Nam overcome many challenges throughout its history and remains a vital resource for its future development.

Millions of ballots, a shared trust

EUnder the Law on the Election of Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils, voters must cast their ballots in person and cannot ask others to vote on their behalf.

Those unable to complete their ballot papers themselves may seek assistance, but they must personally place the ballot in the box. Anyone assisting them is required to keep their choices confidential.

The law also provides flexible arrangements to ensure that all eligible citizens can exercise their voting rights. For elderly, ill or disabled voters and others unable to reach a polling station, election teams may bring mobile ballot boxes to their homes or other locations.

These provisions are intended to ensure that every ballot genuinely reflects the voter’s will and that elections are conducted democratically and in accordance with the law. Through their ballots, citizens choose worthy representatives to serve in State bodies.

The latest election took place shortly after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress, which set out major goals and aspirations for a new period of national development.

The congress reaffirmed Việt Nam’s determination to pursue faster and more sustainable growth based on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. It also emphasised the importance of Vietnamese culture and people as internal resources for development.

Against this backdrop, the election was not simply about selecting representatives for a new term. It marked an important step in turning the strategic vision of the 14th National Party Congress into concrete political and social action.

Voters were tasked with choosing representatives who possess the competence, courage and sense of responsibility required to contribute to policymaking and the implementation of the country’s development priorities.

At meetings with voters ahead of the election, candidates for the National Assembly and People’s Councils presented their action programmes, commitments and proposed priorities if elected.

These programmes allowed voters to assess each candidate’s capabilities, sense of responsibility and commitment to public service before deciding whom to entrust with representing their will and aspirations.

Associate Professor Bùi Hoài Sơn, a standing member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Society, said the quality of elected representatives was voters’ greatest concern and expectation.

“Voters do not merely expect deputies to possess expertise and credibility. They also want them to remain closely connected with people’s lives, understand society’s difficulties and concerns, and be capable of translating those aspirations into specific policies,” he said.

“What matters is not making numerous attractive promises in an action programme, but identifying concrete and achievable tasks and pursuing them consistently to the end.”

Associate Professor Bùi Thị An, director of the Institute for Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development under the Việt Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations, described candidates’ action programmes as a form of political “representative contract” between voters and National Assembly deputies.

Such programmes should not be regarded merely as campaign promises, she said. They also provide a basis for voters to monitor, assess and supervise deputies’ performance throughout their term.

When commitments are fulfilled through responsibility, courage and well-considered decisions, public trust will continue to grow. This will contribute to building increasingly professional and effective elected bodies capable of meeting people’s expectations for a stronger and more prosperous Việt Nam.