HÀ NỘI — Hundreds of Russians living in Việt Nam on Sunday voted for the next president across Hà Nội, HCM City and Đà Nẵng.

Many Russians began showing up at the Russian embassy in Hà Nội in the morning to cast their ballots for one out of eight presidential candidates, one of whom is the current President Vladimir Putin, who is running for a fourth term.

Two tourists from Moscow, Alexandr and Denis, visited the polling place just minutes before departing for the airport. They were en route to Kuala Lumpur and transited in Hà Nội on election day.

“It’s good that we were able to vote,” they said.

An officer of the Russian Trade Representation in Việt Nam, Nadezhda Ilixeeva, said that she voted for President Putin as “he is the best option for the highest position.”

“I chose the one who can guard the country,” she said.

“I hope that Russia’s living standard can get better in the coming years.”

The three polling stations at the Russian embassy in Hà Nội and the consulates in HCM City and Đà Nẵng City would open from 8am throughout to 8pm Sunday, said the Russian Ambassador in Việt Nam, Konstantin Vnukov.

Early voting before election day had been also carried out at another four locations in Vũng Tàu, Nha Trang, Mũi Né and Phú Quốc, which are home to a large number majority of Russian expats and tourists.

“So far the number of Russian citizens casting their votes is tenfold compared to previous elections,” Vnukov said.

“It demonstrated that the Russians care a lot for the future of their country.”

There is not an official record of the number of Russians living in Việt Nam, but the ambassador estimated it could range between 5,000 and 6,000 people. — VNS