Politics

Election Day is a true national festival: NA Vice Chairwoman

By 10am, nine provinces had posted a turnout rate of over 50%, including the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai nearing 70%, while many areas had exceeded 40%.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh talks to the press at the NA building in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)
Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh talks to the press at the NA building in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – In the vibrant atmosphere of the Election Day, the festive decorations and the people's enthusiasm have truly merged into a national celebration, said Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) and member of the National Election Council (NEC) Nguyen Thi Thanh.

Talking to the press at the NEC Office, Thanh said that at exactly 7am on March 15, polling stations nationwide officially opened. Many locations commenced as early as 5am. Specifically, central Gia Lai and southern Tay Ninh provinces saw early starts in many places, including over 1,000 polling stations in Gia Lai opening their doors at 5am.

The opening ceremonies were conducted with solemnity, safety, and strict adherence to protocol, reflecting the spirit of a "national festival", she noted, affirming that the opening procedures seriously followed the NEC guidelines, from the briefing on voting rules to the inspection of ballot boxes.

Thanh cited local authorities as reporting that by 10am, nine provinces had posted a turnout rate of over 50%, including the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai nearing 70%, while many areas had exceeded 40%.

Nationwide, the average turnout had reached 40% by around 10am, statistics show.

election-day.jpg
Ha Nhi ethnic people in Sin Thau commune, the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, come to the polling station on March 15. (Photo: VNA)

She said incumbent and former Party and State leaders, along with local officials, have cast ballots at their respective constituencies.

The NA Vice Chairwoman shared that she was deeply moved when learning of Duong Thi Sao, a 109-year-old voter in My Thuy commune, the central province of Quang Tri, participating in the election opening ceremony and casting the first ballot alongside local leaders.

Among young voters, Pham Minh Hoang in Constituency No. 12 of northern Hai Phong city will certainly never forget this day. Casting his first vote today is a unique "birthday gift" as he turns 18. Exercising his civic duty on such a significant national day is a beautiful milestone, according to Thanh.

It feels as though the elements—"favourable weather, geographical convenience, and human harmony"—have aligned, she went on, adding that despite rain in the northern region on March 14 afternoon, the weather today is beautiful, which is coupled with the decorations and the joy of citizens flocking to polling stations to make March 15 a true "national festival" and a memorable day./.

VNA
#Election Day #National Assembly #National Election Council #Nguyen Thi Thanh #polling stations
Follow VietnamPlus

National Assembly Election

Vietnam - New era

Related News

Politburo member and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai ̣(first, left) casts her ballot alongside other voters at Polling Station No. 7 of Constituency No. 2 in Thanh Xuan ward, Hanoi, on March 15. (Photo: VNA)

Party, State leaders join Hanoi voters in Election Day

The election is taking place as the country continues efforts to advance renewal and development, with the selection of capable representatives expected to contribute to building a socialist rule-of-law state and promoting socio-economic progress.

Officers, soldiers and residents in the Truong Sa special zone come to cast their ballots at Polling Station No.1 on March 15. (Photo: VNA)

Voters in Truong Sa special zone join nationwide election day

Voters in Khanh Hoa will elect 12 deputies to the 16th NA from a list of 20 candidates; 67 deputies to the provincial People’s Council for the 2026–2031 term from 108 candidates; and 1,392 deputies to commune- and ward-level People’s Councils from 2,317 candidates.

See more

Soldiers examine ballot boxes before voting at a polling station in Truong Sa special zone, Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Voter turnout exceeds 80% nationwide by mid-afternoon

Many localities have recorded high voter turnout, particularly several northern mountainous provinces such as Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Tuyen Quang. Other localities, including Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Lang Son, Nghe An, and Thai Nguyen, have also reported a rate of more than 90%.

Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet Magazine in Germany (Photo published by VNA)

Voters place trust in new generation of representatives

The choosing of capable and dedicated representatives is expected to further strengthen public trust and lay a solid institutional foundation for Vietnam to advance towards rapid, sustainable development and deeper global integration in the coming period.

Ambassador of Timor Leste to Vietnam João Pereira (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s election marks peace, trust, democracy: Timor-Leste Ambassador

The representatives chosen through the 14th National Party Congress and the March 15 election will continue promoting the country's stature in the international arena and build on the foundation laid by earlier generations of Vietnamese leaders guided by President Ho Chi Minh’s thought, said Ambassador of Timor Leste João Pereira.

Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at Indonesia’s Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), grants an interview to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

Parliamentary diplomacy bolsters ASEAN cohesion: Indonesian expert

The Vietnamese legislature has been instrumental in shaping the legal foundations for economic growth, via the adoption and revision of laws governing investment, public–private partnerships, land management and digital governance as key steps in building a more stable regulatory environment, strengthening investor confidence and supporting Vietnam’s transition toward a market-oriented economy.

Party General Secretary To Lam at polling station No. 2 in Ba Dinh ward of Hanoi on March 15 morning (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary casts ballot in Hanoi's Ba Dinh ward

Party General Secretary To Lam described the election as a major national event that demonstrates the people’s freedom and right to mastery, enabling them to select capable and reputable representatives to undertake the country’s common tasks and guide national and local development while safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse cast ballots at Polling Station No. 21 in Tay Ho ward, Hanoi, on March 15 morning. (Photo: VNA)

PM votes in Hanoi as nationwide election underway

Commending Tay Ho ward for its thorough preparations, particularly at Polling Station No. 21, the PM urged the election committee to facilitate early voting and ensure every eligible voter can fully exercise their rights and responsibilities.

A communication team of O Dien commune in Hanoi cycle to support the general election. (Photo: VNA)

General election: OVs show devotion, commitment to homeland

Wherever they may be, the overseas Vietnamese community's devotion and commitment to the homeland remain a strong bond connecting Vietnamese people around the world. All share a common belief that Vietnam will continue moving forward on its development path with the support of its people both at home and overseas.

Voters at Dao San Border Guard Station cast their ballots in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. Photo: VNA

Nationwide voting for 16th National Assembly, People’s Councils for 2026-2031 begins

According to the National Election Council, from 864 candidates, voters will elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly (1.73 candidates per seat). For provincial-level People’s Councils, voters will elect 2,552 deputies from 4,217 candidates (1.65 candidates per seat). For commune-level People’s Councils, voters will elect 72,611 deputies from 120,873 candidates (1.66 candidates per seat).

A border guard comes to cast his ballot in Tan Phu Dong islet commune, Dong Thap province, on March 15 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Early voting begins in Dong Thap province’s islet commune

At 5:00 a.m. on March 15, voters across Tan Phu Dong islet commune in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap began casting their ballots to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term.

The head of Polling Team No. 5 in Quy Mong commune, Lao Cai province, introduces the lists of candidates to local residents. (Photo: VNA)

The choice that heralds a new tenure

Choosing "the right representatives"—deputies with integrity, talent, vision, and the courage to act and take responsibility—will enhance the operational quality of the NA and People’s Councils, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the state apparatus over the next five years.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the meeting meeting between the permanent Government members and leaders of Hanoi to review and provide feedback on the draft Hanoi Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision on March 14. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Hanoi’s 100-year master plan must put people at centre: PM

According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the philosophy of the plan must place people at the centre and as the driving force of development, and Hanoi should aim to become a prosperous, civilised and modern city that preserves its cultural identity.

The National Assembly passes the law amending and supplementing several articles of the Criminal Code. (Photo: VNA_

OVs, scholars in Canada hope for further reform, int’l integration in new NA term

Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and scholars in Canada have expressed keen interest in the upcoming election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 tenure, voicing their hopes that the legislature will further refine institutions, drive economic development, deepen international integration, and strengthen ties with OV communities.