Election Day is a true national festival: NA Vice Chairwoman

Policies in Action

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)

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.

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./.

See Also

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.

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.

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).

Resolution 57: High-tech solutions applied to tackle pollution in Hanoi’s rivers

A project to rehabilitate the Lu and To Lich rivers marks a breakthrough with the application of Germany’s modern pipe jacking technology, enabling underground construction while safeguarding existing urban infrastructure. The adoption of advanced science and technology solutions will help collect about 75,000 cu.m of wastewater each day for treatment, underscoring Hanoi’s determination to revive its rivers and move towards a digital society and a sustainable green environment.

Voting hours set for March 15, 2026 election

Election day for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure has been set for March 15, 2026. Under the regulations, voting takes place from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on the same day. Depending on local conditions, the Election Committee may decide to start voting earlier, but not before 5.00 a.m., or end later, but no later than 9.00 p.m. on the same day.