• Vietnam holds elections for 500 National Assembly members.
• 93% of candidates are from the ruling Communist Party with 7.5% independents.
• Turnout exceeds 99% in previous elections, with results expected March 23.
• To Lam confirmed as general secretary ahead of expected presidency elevation.
• Voters express mixed sentiments about the election's impact on their lives.

Tens of millions of Vietnamese citizens are voting to elect members of the National Assembly from a candidate list nearly entirely composed of the ruling Communist Party. The five-yearly elections allow approximately 73.5 million registered voters to choose representatives for both the National Assembly and local councils, showcasing one of the few instances of democratic practice in the state, which has been described as tightly controlled and dominated by the Communist Party, which holds 97% of the parliamentary seats, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Out of 864 candidates, nearly 93% are members of the Communist Party, while only 7.5% are independents, a slight decrease from 8.5% in 2021. This configuration fortifies the Communist Party's enduring dominance in the assembly, allowing it to maintain critical control over legislative processes, despite the parliament's minimal actual power in challenging key party decisions. The upcoming opening plenary session is set for early April, where new appointments for top state leaders, including the president and prime minister, are expected to be ratified, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Vietnam's political landscape features prominent business leaders among the candidates, including Nguyen Thanh Tung of Vietcombank and Le Hong Minh of VNG, the latter being the company behind the popular messaging app Zalo. Observers noted mixed sentiments among voters about the impact of the elections on their lives, revealing a general apathy towards outcomes, as policies are often decided by high-ranking party officials prior to any voting. “I don’t think who wins will have any impact on my life,” remarked a voter named Huyen in Hanoi, echoing sentiments shared by others, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The election turnout has historically exceeded 99% in past parliamentary elections, with results for the current election expected to be announced on March 23, 2026. Many voters, including new ones hopeful for change, cast their votes in the face of political structures that are largely predetermined by the Communist Party. To Lam’s confirmation as the Communist Party's general secretary during the recent five-year congress signifies continuity in leadership, as he is widely anticipated to ascend to the presidency, thus consolidating power akin to that seen in neighbouring China under Xi Jinping, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.