Ho Chi Minh City Prepares for National Elections with Digital Innovations

As Vietnam approaches National Election Day on March 15, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City is undertaking significant preparations to ensure a democratic, lawful and secure electoral process. With nearly 9.7 million voters, the city faces unique challenges due to its large and diverse population, but is leveraging technology and systematic preparation to guarantee voting rights for all citizens.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Unique Electoral Landscape

Following the merger of Binh Duong province and the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Ho Chi Minh City now encompasses 168 communes, wards, and special zones, with a total population exceeding 14 million, including almost 10 million eligible voters. This expanded territory and population size present logistical complexities not found in other localities. The city is preparing to elect 38 representatives to the National Assembly and 125 representatives to the City People’s Council for the 2026-2031 term.

Digital Innovations in Voter Management

Recognizing the scale of its electorate, Ho Chi Minh City has prioritized the application of digital technologies in voter management. The city has implemented electoral roll management software directly connected to the National Population Database. This integration allows for rapid, accurate, and transparent creation, verification, and updating of voter lists, minimizing errors, duplication, and omissions. The VNeID electronic identification application enables citizens to easily access and verify their personal information, voter ID, and assigned polling station.

Voter lists are also publicly displayed in community centers and polling stations, allowing for public scrutiny and verification in accordance with regulations.

Voter Outreach and Candidate Engagement

Extensive voter outreach activities have been conducted throughout the city, going beyond traditional methods. The city has organized numerous voter awareness conferences tailored to specific demographics and sectors, ensuring seriousness and regulatory compliance. As of March 8, 2026, 2,836 constituent meetings had been held, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants who provided candid opinions. 3,906 candidate biographical discussions were published, providing voters with detailed information on the backgrounds, experience, and platforms of candidates for both the National Assembly and the People’s Councils.

Voters have expressed particular interest in solutions for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, improvements to quality of life, and the continued development of Ho Chi Minh City into a modern and civilized metropolis.

Ensuring a Democratic and Objective Process

Ho Chi Minh City has implemented a rigorous candidate selection process, adhering to the provisions of Law No. 85/2015/QH13 and Law No. 83/2025/QH15 regarding the Election of Deputies. The process emphasizes the supervisory role of Vietnam Fatherland Front committees and relies on trust from workplaces and residential areas. Over 7,000 candidate conferences and seminars have been organized, involving millions of participants, to ensure transparency in the nomination process. Candidates’ action programs are broadcast through various media channels, and their biographies are widely published for voter review.

Commitment to a Successful Election

Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Council, affirmed the city’s commitment to holding democratic, egalitarian, legal, safe, and cost-effective elections. The goal is to select outstanding representatives who embody the will and aspirations of the people of Ho Chi Minh City for the latest era.