Photographs of Vietnam’s Lunar New Year in Hanoi in the 1920s

On the morning of March 15, amid the solemn and vibrant atmosphere of the nationwide festival in which citizens participated in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, touching scenes were witnessed in Yen Lang Commune (Hanoi) as elderly voters leaned on canes to make their way to polling stations, leaving a deep impression on election officials and local residents.

Brilliant red flags with yellow stars line many streets, campaign posters appear across residential areas, and a wide range of communication activities are being carried out on digital platforms - these are familiar images in the days leading up to the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term in Vietnam, as observed by many international friends.

The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and to People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term is a major political event of the country. It demonstrates the people’s mastery, affirming the nature of the socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

That is the general assessment made by several inspection bodies and confirmed through our recent field observations in Yen Lang Commune (Hanoi). To further clarify this matter, VietnamTimes Magazine interviewed Lo Xuan Hoa, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of the commune.