Memories of the first General Election Day
Holding in his hand voter cards for the election of National Assembly deputies of the 16th term and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 term, Mr. Tran Ba Lan (Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) recalled the election day 80 years ago.
I still remember vividly January 6, 1946 - the first general election of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. At that time I was only 16 years old, not old enough to vote, but the Hanoi atmosphere of flags and flowers made my heart flutter. People for the first time held ballots to decide the fate of their country. That was a pride that our generation had never witnessed before" - Mr. Lan recounted.
Born in 1930, growing up in the years when the country was still immersed in the darkness of slavery, Mr. Lan understood that independence and freedom do not come naturally. They are exchanged for the blood and bones of many generations. Therefore, every time he goes to vote, he always considers it a sacred responsibility.
At the end of 1946, when the national resistance war broke out, Mr. Lan's family left Hanoi for the war zone. He worked at Hoang Van Thu Paper Factory - the place that produced government money printing paper. The factory continuously moved to avoid enemy pursuit.
In 1948, when he turned 18 years old, for the first time, Mr. Lan held a ballot to participate in the election of the district-level government in Hiep Hoa, Bac Giang - a free zone during the resistance war.
On that election day, the 18-year-old young man woke up very early, chose the most neat clothes for himself and walked with the young people in the area to the polling area.
“I queued in long lines in front of the ballot boxes. There were no loudspeakers, no sufficient conditions like today, but people's hearts at that time were bright with faith. We believed in President Ho Chi Minh and revolutionary leaders; believed that small votes would contribute to building a free and independent Vietnam. The country still has bombs and bullets, still lacks things, but in everyone's heart there is one certain thing: We are the masters of the country” - Mr. Lan recounted.
It was the vote that day and the firm belief that "I am the master of the country" that helped Mr. Lan constantly strive to study and work. Before retiring, he was the Head of the Faculty of Journalism, Academy of Journalism and Propaganda.
Having gone through many upheavals, from resistance to peace, from the subsidy period to international integration, he deeply understands the value of election seasons. Now, at the age of over 90, he still maintains the same emotion as the first time in 1948.
I walk slower, my hands are shakier, but my faith has never run out. I believe in the strength of the people's hearts, believe in the path that the nation has chosen" - Mr. Lan shared.
Trust placed in each ballot
In the joyful atmosphere of the election day, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Dau (born in 1928, Viet Hung ward) said that he felt touched to directly participate in selecting delegates representing the will and aspirations of the people. As someone who has gone through many historical periods of the country, Mr. Dau said that each time he participates in the election brings special emotions.
The country is entering a new stage of development, with many opportunities and advantages, so those who are chosen must be people with heart and vision, to make the country increasingly rich and strong, and the people increasingly prosperous" - Mr. Dau shared.
At the age of 96, holding the voter card in her hand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thin (Ba Dinh ward) - a former youth volunteer, could not hide her pride when the Ward Police soldiers came to her bedside to visit and give her citizenship.
For him, it is not just a card, but also a symbol of citizenship that has been preserved for decades.
At the age of 85, Mr. Nguyen Hong Luan - a veteran (Viet Hung ward) still pays much attention and responsibility to elections. For him, each voter's vote is not only a right but also a sending of faith to those who represent the people.
According to him, the election of National Assembly and People's Council deputies at all levels is of great significance to the country's development.
Expressing his expectations for the elected delegates, Mr. Luan hoped that those who are trusted by voters will shoulder the responsibility well, contributing to building a country that is increasingly developed and prosperous, and people will live in prosperity and happiness.
