City residents began arriving as early as 6 am on Election Day at polling station 75 (in Ward 11 in HCM City’s District 5), waiting to vote in the NA and People’s Council Election. The station officially opened at 7 am.

The weather was good with cool temperatures and a clear sky. As the polling station was located in the Chinatown, many of the voters were Chinese-Vietnamese. There were 1,622 voters at the station.

Châu Thành Phát, 71, a Chinese-Vietnamese, said, “I felt comfortable coming to the polling station today. I expect the future National Assembly deputies and members of the People’s Councils to keep their promises to voters, helping us voice our opinions to the State and Party.

“Food safety and traffic accidents are among the worst problems today. I hope the future deputies will be able to represent us well and speak up and seek solutions to these problems.”

Nguyễn Ngọc Thanh Thảo, 18, a student, said, “As this is my first time to vote, I feel proud. As a student, I think the deputies must be virtuous and devoted. I hope they are willing to fight for the people’s rights. They must raise their voice about problems about the environment, food safety and violence in schools.”

Luân Sở Tiên, 55, from the southern province of Bình Dương, said, “I’m happy and proud to take part in Election Day. I think it is the right and responsibility of every citizen to vote. I have read the information about the candidates quite carefully to hopefully choose the best candidates who dare speak up and act for the people.”

Mmoha Med Amine, 49, of the Cham ethnic minority in District 5, said, “We, of the Cham community, look forward to the NA Election Day to choose the candidates who truly represent the people. I know there are some Cham candidates also. I hope the elected candidates will pay more attention to the Cham people. Many Cham children lack education because of their family’s financial difficulties.”

Nguyễn Thị Lệ, 62, a retired primary school teacher, said, “I really expect the candidates will try their best to make a change in the country’s socio-economic development. They should pay more attention to current issues like the environment, food safety, traffic, and education.VNS