“I first began reading The Saigon Times during my earlier posting at the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, from 1994 to 1998. Those were exciting times, with Vietnam opening up under the Doi Moi reforms and many Japanese companies were establishing their presence in southern Vietnam. As an officer responsible for economic affairs at the Consulate-General in those days, I found the up-to-date information The Saigon Times provided on Vietnam’s economy truly invaluable — and I am sure the Japanese business community here shared that sentiment.
There is a question that has occupied philosophers across cultures and centuries: what does it mean to live in a world where everything changes, and nothing lasts?
"The Saigon Times has been a trusted source of information for the French Consulate for many years. Its English edition enables expats like me to stay well informed about business, economic and social developments in Vietnam. It has also been one of the reliable sources we use for our daily news round-ups and updates, helping us keep track of what is happening both locally and nationally.
Over 76.188 million citizens, or 99.68% of eligible voters, cast their ballots in Vietnam’s elections of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term on March 15.
In particular, the HCMC Election Committee confirmed a 99% turnout, with over 9.42 million residents casting their ballots on March 15. All 168 localities across the southern metropolis recorded participation rates of at least 95%, with 38 of them achieving a perfect 100% turnout.
Based on the final election minutes, the National Election Council is scheduled to announce the official results and the list of elected members of the 16th National Assembly no later than March 25. Similarly, the election committees at the provincial and communal levels must finalize and publish the results and lists of elected representatives for their respective People’s Councils within the same 10-day timeframe following the election.
Election officials and security forces finalize preparations at a polling station ahead of the opening ceremonyEarly on March 15, crowds of residents gather and line up at polling stations to exercise their civic rights and duties as the general election beginsNational Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, alongside local leaders and voters, reviews candidate profiles publicly posted at Polling Station No. 14 in Hoc Mon Commune, HCMCThe NA chairman casts his ballot at the polling station, with HCMC Party Committee Deputy Secretary Van Thi Bach Tuyet waiting for her turn to voteHCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang joins local voters to cast his ballot, fulfilling his civic obligation on election dayAuthorities guide a student voter through the step-by-step balloting process at a local polling stationProminent artists and public figures participate in the national election on March 15; pictured is Miss World Vietnam Luong Thuy Linh performing her civic dutyThu Hoa, over 80, is assisted into the voting area by volunteersEthnic Khmer and Cham voters carefully study candidate information displayed at the polling site before entering the booths to cast their ballotsElection staff provide dedicated guidance to ethnic minority voters, ensuring they navigate the voting procedures smoothly and in compliance with regulationsAn ethnic woman casts her ballot at a local polling unitAt Military Hospital 175 in HCMC, patients receiving treatment exercise their voting rights through mobile ballot boxes brought directly to their bedsidesUpon completing the voting process, citizens receive a formal stamp on their voter cards to confirm their participationResidents dressed in traditional Ao dai add a festive and solemn spirit to the national general election
“I first began reading The Saigon Times during my earlier posting at the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, from 1994 to 1998. Those were exciting times, with Vietnam opening up under the Doi Moi reforms and many Japanese companies were establishing their presence in southern Vietnam. As an officer responsible for economic affairs at the Consulate-General in those days, I found the up-to-date information The Saigon Times provided on Vietnam’s economy truly invaluable — and I am sure the Japanese business community here shared that sentiment.
There is a question that has occupied philosophers across cultures and centuries: what does it mean to live in a world where everything changes, and nothing lasts?
"The Saigon Times has been a trusted source of information for the French Consulate for many years. Its English edition enables expats like me to stay well informed about business, economic and social developments in Vietnam. It has also been one of the reliable sources we use for our daily news round-ups and updates, helping us keep track of what is happening both locally and nationally.
