4:00:42 PM | 3/12/2026
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, voters nationwide will participate in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.
Nearly 73.5 million voters will cast ballots across Vietnam on March 15, 2026, for the National Assembly and local People’s Councils
This is an occasion for every Vietnamese citizen to directly exercise the right to mastery, expressing their will and responsibility for the country’s development.
According to Party General Secretary To Lam, this is a major political event for the nation, taking place shortly after the 14th National Party Congress. Since the first General Election in 1946, Vietnam has successfully organized 15 National Assembly elections. Each election has marked an important milestone, associated with different historical periods and revolutionary missions, including resistance and nation-building, the struggle for independence and national reunification, and the current process of renewal, development, and national defense. Every ballot cast over the past eight decades has served as a vivid symbol of public trust, national unity, civic responsibility, and the people’s determination to shape the country’s future; affirming the democratic, progressive, and humane character of a system in which “All power belongs to the People; the State is of the People, by the People, and for the People.”
The 16th election, held on the 80th anniversary of the first General Election, will continue the nation’s democratic tradition and reinforce the strength of national unity as the country advances steadily into a new era of development. A successful election will provide an important starting point for building and consolidating the state apparatus for the new term, laying a firm political and social foundation for the effective implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.
Casting early ballots at the Ba Ke cluster off HCM City, conducted by Naval Region 2, March 1
“This is also an opportunity to affirm the Party’s leadership capacity, the effectiveness of state management, and the performance of the political system following the completion of organizational streamlining, administrative mergers, and the restructuring of local government under a two-tier model. Accordingly, this election has been identified as a central political task for 2026,” said General Secretary To Lam.
To ensure the successful election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, the General Secretary outlined several key priorities that must be fully implemented.
Foremost is strong leadership in personnel work, the most decisive element of the election process. The nomination of candidates must be conducted openly and transparently, with broad consultation at the grassroots level, while ensuring rigor and alignment with cadre planning, the outcomes of Party congresses at all levels, and the requirement to streamline the political system under the two-tier local government model; ensuring continuity, coordination, and renewal. The composition of deputies must reflect balanced representation across sectors, social groups, gender, age, and regions; with appropriate proportions of full-time deputies, women, young representatives, ethnic minority members, intellectuals, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, artists, and religious dignitaries, so that the National Assembly and People’s Councils truly reflect the dynamic face of national unity.
“Deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils must truly serve as loyal representatives of the People, voicing public concerns, addressing public needs, and safeguarding the legitimate interests of citizens, particularly those in their constituencies. The selection and nomination process must identify individuals who are exemplary in both character and competence. They must possess firm political integrity, loyalty to the Fatherland and the People, strong moral standing, professional capability, meet all statutory standards, and have the necessary conditions to fulfill their duties as representatives of the People,” General Secretary To Lam said.
At the same time, nominated individuals must have adequate health and sufficient time to carry out and fulfill their responsibilities if elected. The 2026-2031 term represents a pivotal phase in realizing the country’s two centennial strategic goals, with demanding expectations. Priority should therefore be given to individuals with innovative thinking and the courage to think, speak, act, and take responsibility, as well as those with vision and the capacity to contribute to policy formulation that drives local and national development in the new period.
In addition, General Secretary To Lam called for the effective organization of the consultative process for selecting and nominating candidates, ensuring that the People’s right to mastery is upheld throughout the election. The entire consultative procedure must be conducted democratically, objectively, openly, and transparently in strict accordance with the law; oversight and supervision must be strengthened, with firm measures to prevent negative practices such as improper campaigning, buying nominations, vote-buying, or group interests that distort the meaning of the election. Public communication and voter outreach should be intensified to foster a positive and unified social atmosphere and enhance civic awareness and responsibility. Political security, social order, and public safety must be ensured, with timely handling of election-related issues. Information technology applications should be strengthened, along with coordinated efforts among agencies and organizations across the political system to ensure a successful election.
According to Nguyen Huu Dong, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Deputy Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Central Organization Commission, preparations for the election have been carried out proactively and in a methodical manner, closely aligned with directives from the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the National Election Council. Guiding and instructional documents were issued early and in a coordinated way; the use of information technology and digital transformation in election work has been expanded, particularly in compiling, reviewing, and publicly posting voter lists. Personnel arrangements for consultative conferences were carefully prepared to ensure compliance with required structures, composition, and standards; election bodies were established on schedule, ensuring continuity and stability. Security, order, and social safety measures were deployed in a coordinated manner, with particular attention to protecting information technology systems and cyberspace.
With determined leadership from Party committees at all levels, close coordination among agencies and organizations across the political system, and the strong support and active participation of nearly 100 million voters nationwide, the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term will undoubtedly succeed, truly becoming a national day of unity where the Party’s direction aligns with the People’s will, continuing to inspire the aspiration to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam with freedom, well-being, and happiness for all.
By Quynh Anh, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
