On December 6, 2025, a pivotal step in Vietnam’s democratic process unfolded in Lai Chau province, as the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee organized the first consultation conference to determine the structure, composition, and number of candidates for the 16th National Assembly and the Provincial People’s Council for the 2026-2031 term. According to Bao Lai Chau, this event marked the official beginning of candidate selection and nomination, a process that is both highly structured and deeply significant for ensuring broad representation in the country’s legislative bodies.
The conference was not merely procedural. Representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s professional departments and the Department of Home Affairs provided detailed guidance on the content, order, and procedures for introducing candidates and preparing their dossiers. This guidance was critical, as the introduction and preparation of candidate dossiers by agencies, units, and organizations is considered a crucial step to select candidates meeting rigorous standards and quality requirements. As Bao Lai Chau reported, “The introduction and preparation of candidate dossiers by agencies, units, and organizations is a crucial step to select candidates meeting standards and quality requirements.”
Comrade Tong Thanh Binh, a member of the Provincial Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lai Chau province, addressed the conference, emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of the process. He called upon all agencies, units, and organizations assigned to introduce candidates to act swiftly and with diligence, ensuring quality and effectiveness. The need for close coordination with officials and civil servants of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee was also highlighted, to guarantee that any difficulties or questions could be resolved promptly and that the process remained transparent and efficient.
Once the conference concluded, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lai Chau province sent the minutes to the National Assembly Standing Committee and the Provincial People’s Council Standing Committee. After receiving feedback and necessary adjustments from these higher authorities, an official announcement was made to all relevant agencies, organizations, and units, detailing the list of candidates for the 16th National Assembly and the Provincial People’s Council for the new term. This careful, multi-layered process is designed to ensure that only the most qualified and representative candidates make it to the ballot, reinforcing the integrity of Vietnam’s electoral system.
Meanwhile, at the national level, the process was echoed and expanded. On December 19, 2025, Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Vice Chairman of the National Election Council, chaired a similar and equally significant consultation conference, as reported by Bao Lai Chau. The focus here was on the adjustment and allocation of candidate slots for the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s block, setting the number at 25 people for the 16th National Assembly.
During this conference, the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front agreed on the expected structure, composition, and number of candidates at central agencies and organizations. They submitted recommendations to the National Election Council and the National Assembly Standing Committee, advocating for greater inclusion of candidates representing the private economic sector, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and persons with disabilities. This push for diversity and broader representation was well received. The National Assembly Standing Committee, according to Bao Lai Chau, “received maximum opinions from the Presidium and adjusted the number, structure, and composition of the Vietnam Fatherland Front block introduced candidates for the National Assembly, including adding some other components to introduce candidates at specialized agencies or localities.”
One notable change was the allocation for the Vietnam Association for Persons with Disabilities to introduce one disabled candidate at the local level. Additionally, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member organization of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, was granted the authority to introduce four candidates as National Assembly deputies. These included one Vice President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Central Committee, one Secretary of the Central Youth Union, and two leaders from agencies under the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. This adjustment, as the conference emphasized, was not just about numbers but about ensuring a true cross-section of Vietnamese society is represented in the country’s highest legislative body.
Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, read the official proposal outlining the allocation of candidates. The guiding principle, as she explained, was to ensure that those introduced as candidates were truly representative of the diverse social strata in Vietnam. The Vietnam Fatherland Front’s allocation included not only its own central leadership but also prominent figures from major state-owned enterprises, the private sector, academia, and organizations representing labor, women, youth, veterans, scientists, artists, and religious groups.
Ensuring diversity was more than a box-ticking exercise. The structure was carefully crafted to guarantee the inclusion of women, ethnic minorities, religious representatives, young people, non-party members, returning deputies, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and artists. The aim was to mirror the nation’s mosaic of backgrounds and experiences, so that the National Assembly could serve as a true voice for all. According to Bao Lai Chau, “Ensuring the structure includes representatives from all walks of life is a cornerstone of the process.”
The 50 member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the central level were each given specific roles in nominating candidates. While the Communist Party and the People’s Army had their own separate allocations, 19 other organizations—ranging from labor unions to scientific associations and religious bodies—were tasked with introducing their own representatives. This approach, as outlined by the Central Committee, was designed to “ensure the structure includes representatives from all walks of life.”
The consultation conference concluded with a formal vote on the allocation plan. Chairman Bui Thi Minh Hoai, in her closing remarks, acknowledged the “heartfelt, responsible, and constructive opinions” of the delegates, expressing hope that the final list of candidates would reflect the spirit of national unity and the will of the people. She stressed the importance of quality, criteria, and legal standards in the nomination process, urging all relevant organizations to take their responsibilities seriously.
Looking ahead, the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Standing Committee will complete the necessary paperwork and send official notifications to all member organizations, agencies, and units regarding the allocation of candidate slots and the requirements for nomination. The process is expected to move swiftly, with all parties urged to ensure that those nominated meet the highest standards of integrity, competency, and public trust.
Vietnam’s approach to candidate selection for the National Assembly and People’s Councils in 2026-2031 stands as a testament to its commitment to inclusive governance and representative democracy. Through meticulous planning, broad consultation, and an unwavering focus on diversity, the country seeks to build legislative bodies that are not only effective but also genuinely reflective of the nation’s rich tapestry of voices and perspectives.
