NA Chairman casts ballot in Ho Chi Minh City

In a message to voters across the country, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed that showing up to vote is both a sacred right and responsibility of every citizen.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man casts his ballot at Polling Station No. 14 in Hoc Mon ward, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 15 morning. (Photo: VNA)
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man casts his ballot at Polling Station No. 14 in Hoc Mon ward, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 15 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) and Chairman of the National Election Council Tran Thanh Man cast his ballot at Polling Station No.14 in Hoc Mon ward, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 15 morning, marking the start of nationwide voting for deputies to the 16th NA and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term.

Joining him were Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Le Quang Manh, other central and local officials, along with numerous local voters, all exercising their civic rights and duties.

Speaking to the press at the polling station, NA Chairman Man said he was deeply honoured to drop his own ballot in Hoc Mon commune.

He gave full credit to the close leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, its Politburo and Secretariat, all under the command of General Secretary To Lam, saying that the entire political system kicked into high gear with speed, seriousness and professionalism to get everything election-ready.

Praising the National Election Council, election committees, boards and polling teams at all levels for strictly adhering to central authorities’ guiding documents, he called on those responsible for election duties to continue closely monitoring, directing and guiding the process to ensure optimal results.

vnanet-s.jpg
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man at Polling Station No. 14 in Hoc Mon ward, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

He believed that with the concerted efforts of Party committees, authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organisations at all levels, combined with the support and consensus of voters nationwide, the election will certainly be a great success.

In a message to voters across the country, he stressed that showing up to vote is both a sacred right and responsibility of every citizen. This year's vote holds added significance as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's first general election, which established the legislature.

He voiced strong belief that voters nationwide will turn out in full force and elect the right number and quality of deputies with outstanding talent and virtue, thereby propelling the country into a new era of advancement and achieving every goal set out in the 14th National Party Congress’s Resolution./.

VNA

See more

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.

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.

UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi (Photo published by VNA)

NA, People’s Council election to shape policies sustaining Vietnam’s development momentum: UNDP official

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the election scheduled for March 15, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi said the election marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s development trajectory as it 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.

Voters on Truong Sa are following information regarding the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term (Photo: VNA)

Party leadership key to ensuring State power belongs to people in election

Ensuring that State power truly belongs to the people, with the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam serving as the decisive factor, remains the guiding principle for organising the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure.

Newly enlisted soldiers at the 2nd Training and Mobile Battalion in Lam Dong province eagerly participate in the early voting session. (Photo: VNA)

Ballots and civic responsibility

All these efforts converge to create the significance of the national election day. Though small, each ballot carries the weight of civic responsibility. By selecting the right representatives and placing trust wisely, voters contribute to building a National Assembly and People’s Councils capable of making important decisions for the country and localities in the new tenure.

PM Pham Minh Chinh welcomes Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromaya in Hanoi on March 13. (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh receives Thai Ambassador to Vietnam

PM Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Thailand consider facilitating stable fuel supply for Vietnam’s civil aviation sector, thus contributing to socio-economic stability and development, as well as bilateral trade and tourism.

The special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting on the Middle East situation is held online on March 13. (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnamese embassies in Middle East ready to assist ASEAN citizens: FM

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung stressed that ASEAN members should prioritise maintaining energy supplies for one another, particularly oil and gas, and make effective use of cooperation agreements with partners, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to diversify energy sources.

Muong Sai commune in Son La province is decorated to celebrate the election day. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Facts shatter distorted allegations about general election

In reality, the capacity and effectiveness of Vietnam’s legislative body have been clearly demonstrated through major policy decisions that have contributed to maintaining political stability, promoting economic growth and enhancing the country’s standing in the international arena.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh (L), Permanent Representative of the State President to the Permanent Council of La Francophonie, and Administrator of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Caroline St-Hilaire at theri meeting in Paris on March 12. (Photo published by VNA)

OIF Administrator praises Vietnam’s role, contributions

The two sides discussed cooperation in French-language education in the Southeast Asian country, ways to encourage young people to choose French, and the development of French-speaking human resources, including language training for civil servants and for Vietnamese military and police personnel participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations.