Following administrative restructuring, expanded Dong Nai now covers an area of 12,737 sq.km, ranking ninth among the country’s 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, with a population of nearly 4.5 million. The province has a diverse population structure, with 37 ethnic groups living together. More than 421,000 people belong to ethnic minority groups, accounting for 9.4% of the province’s population.

Dong Nai is also home to more than 2.5 million religious followers, including around 1.4 million Catholics. In addition, the province has a large workforce employed in industrial zones, with approximately 680,000 workers.

Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated local authorities’ efforts in preparing facilities, voter lists, candidate lists, voting booths, ballot boxes, and security plans to ensure safety and order at the polling site.

Highlighting key tasks leading up to the election day (March 15), he asked local authorities in areas with large Catholic followers to continue promoting the role of priests and parish leaders in conveying accurate and comprehensive election information to residents. Notably, the election day coincides with the final Sunday of Lent, so local authorities were urged to arrange schedules flexibly to allow voters to participate in both religious activities and the voting process.

For ethnic minority areas, the National Assembly Chairman called for diversified communication approaches tailored to local customs and traditions, while encouraging the involvement of village elders, community leaders and reputable local figures. Authorities were also urged to expand the use of ethnic languages in communication campaigns to ensure all voters fully understand their rights and responsibilities.

Regarding workers in industrial zones, the top legislator asked local authorities to coordinate closely with industrial park management boards, enterprises and boarding house owners to regularly update population data and review voter lists to ensure they are complete, accurate and free from duplication or omissions. Flexible arrangements should also be made so that workers who travel for work or experience last-minute changes can still exercise their voting rights in accordance with the law.

Vietnamese voters are scheduled to cast their ballots on March 5 to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and local People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term.

Vietnam steps up preparations ahead of 2026 National Assembly elections

VOV.VN - Vietnam has entered the peak phase of preparations for elections of deputies to its 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at the grassroots level for the 2026–2031 term, officials said on March 3.