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Vietnam Holds One-Party Parliamentary Vote Ahead of Leadership Confirmations

Nearly all candidates are vetted party members, underscoring a process designed to affirm decisions already made by Communist leaders.

A man leaves a polling station during a parliament election, in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 23, 2021. REUTERS/Thanh Hue/File Photo
Voters check profiles of candidates before casting ballots to elect representatives in the National Assembly and people's councils in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
Voters check profiles of candidates before casting ballots to elect representatives in the National Assembly and people's councils in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Huy Han)
Voters wait to cast ballots to elect representatives in the National Assembly and people's councils in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Overview

  • Voters on March 15 selected 500 National Assembly deputies from 864 candidates, about 93% of whom are Communist Party members with 7.5% independents.
  • Official results are expected around March 23, and the new legislature is scheduled to meet in early April to approve state leadership posts.
  • To Lam was reaffirmed as party general secretary in January and is widely expected to be confirmed as president when lawmakers convene.
  • The National Assembly mainly ratifies party decisions, and all candidates were pre-approved through the party-led vetting process.
  • The incoming Assembly is set to advance an economic agenda targeting rapid growth after roughly 8% last year, with business figures such as Vietcombank’s chief and VNG’s chair among the candidates.