Hanoi gears up for May 23 general election amid COVID-19 threat

The Hanoi capital has prepared itself for a range of scenarios in order to rise to the ongoing threats, including from potential COVID-19 outbreaks, to ensure that the upcoming general election on May 23 takes place in a smooth manner.

A list of candidates has been published at constituency No9 in Trung hoa ward.

A list of candidates has been published at constituency No9 in Trung hoa ward.

Millions of local voters are poised to go to the polls on May 23 as they elect deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and grassroots-level People’s Councils for the 2021 to 2026 tenure. At present all preparations for Election Day, which represents the most important political event of the year, have been completed.

At constituency No.9 of Trung Hoa ward in Cau Giay district, officials have been putting the finishing touches to decorations and arrangements of ballot boxes and seats for voters. Rows of tables featuring an attached list of candidates and plastic shields have been set out in a way that meets relevant COVID-19 guidelines.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh, head of the voting team in the constituency, told VOV that ballots which contain the list of candidates and their profile, along with the contact phone numbers of the voting team, have already been delivered to voters in the residential area.

“Voters must meet COVID-19 guidelines, including donning face masks, washing their hands, and keeping a safe distance when going to the polls,” said Khanh. “If the epidemic gets worse, we will arrange a voting time for people living in certain locations.”

Nguyen Hai, deputy head of Trung Hoa ward’s administration, stated that each polling station is required to set up a quarantine room, whilst all members of the voting team must also have personal protected clothing ready.     

The list of candidates and their profile has been delivered to every resident to study before going to the polls on May 23.

The list of candidates and their profile has been delivered to every resident to study before going to the polls on May 23.

Due to the dense nature of the capital, the local administration has moved to ramp up communication campaigns through public media platforms in order to raise people’s awareness of their voting rights. Hanoi’s loudspeaker system operates twice a day to issue reminders for local people of their rights and current COVID-19 control measures.

Voting teams have already tested software on vote counting to ensure that the system runs smoothly ahead of the election.

With the capital announcing May 14 as the deadline for shuttle election campaigns, candidates running for their seats at the upcoming NA and grassroots-level People’s Councils have been forced to hurriedly meet with voters over the past few days ahead of the deadline. 

“We will try our best to ensure that May 23 is a festive day for local people in all circumstances, even when a social distancing order is imposed and mobile ballot boxes are delivered,” said Dinh Tien Dung, secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

VOV

Other News

Key Party leader hosts Hungarian Workers' Party chief

Key Party leader hosts Hungarian Workers' Party chief

The Communist Party of Vietnam always values its solidarity and friendship with the Hungarian Workers' Party and communist and workers' parties worldwide, which helps build political trust and supports Vietnam's relations with other countries, said key Party leader Tran Cam Tu.

14th Party Central Committee convenes fourth plenum

14th Party Central Committee convenes fourth plenum

In his opening remarks, General Secretary and President To Lam said that the 14th National Party Congress set out major orientations and strategic goals, while the second and third plenums adopted important policies on Party building, personnel, development and national defence. The fourth plenum must focus on creating conditions for effective implementation while preparing the theoretical, organisational and human resources foundations for the country’s long-term development.

Panamanian President's Vietnam visit offers new opportunity to deepen bilateral ties

Panamanian President's Vietnam visit offers new opportunity to deepen bilateral ties

Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico and Panama Nguyen Van Hai noted that the visit is particularly significant as the first high-level exchange between the two countries in nearly 15 years, following then-President Ricardo Martinelli’s visit to Vietnam in 2012, and came shortly after the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

"Panama can serve as a strategic platform for Vietnamese companies seeking greater access to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Vietnam represents an important gateway for strengthening Panama’s engagement with Southeast Asia", Ambassador Nubiela Ayala Modes confirmed.

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities nationwide hailed effective and flexible directions delivered by the Government so far this year, resulting in positive nine-month socio-economic growth, and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving targets set for the whole 2026 at an online Government-locality conference on October 3.

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership shows that Vietnam and Canada increasingly view each other not simply as trading partners, but as long-term partners in addressing economic, technological and regional challenges.

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

The top leader applauded the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, social organisations, coaches, athletes, experts in developing physical education and sports in recent times, stressing that Resolution No. 08 has provided an important political foundation for sports development over the past 15 years, while Conclusion No. 70 set important orientations for the new period.

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

PSNews - Vietnam is recognised by its partners as an influential member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, with expectations that it will continue to demonstrate leadership when it hosts APEC for the third time in 2027, according to Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu.

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

General Secretary and President Lam urged JBIC to continue promoting the substantive implementation of projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and step up discussions on potential cooperation within the framework of the POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia) initiative, including the development of strategic energy reserves.

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man coordination must go beyond finishing the agenda to improve the quality of NA decisions and Government enforcement; deal with policies rather than just paperwork, especially in the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena; and pin down final responsibility for each product, not just progress.

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the two countries' inspection agencies to build on their achievements by regularly exchanging information and experience, maintaining delegation exchanges, and coordinating inspections in areas related to bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Urgent action needed to address law enforcement as weak link: Top leader

Urgent action needed to address law enforcement as weak link: Top leader

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on September 28 called for urgent and fundamental improvements in law enforcement, stressing that legislation and its enforcement must form a unified whole and ultimately serve development, protect legitimate rights and interests, and strengthen public trust.

Vietnamese, Cambodian inspectors reinforce collaboration

Vietnamese, Cambodian inspectors reinforce collaboration

The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam broadly accepted the Cambodian ministry's proposals to maintain, renew and make more effective regular meetings between professional units and training establishments, and increase exchanges of senior, expert and specialised working-group delegations.