Quang Tri: Coastal fishermen from a land of heroic tradition “schedule” their vote

As the Lunar New Year approaches, fishermen along the coast of Quang Tri province are busy preparing for their traditional pre-Tet fishing trips and the first voyages of the new year, believed to bring good fortune and prosperity. Yet amid the rhythms of tides and seasons, many are carefully scheduling their journeys so they can return home in time to take part in what they call the “People’s Festival” - the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.

Fishermen time their first voyages of the year to return home for election day

Hoa Trach commune, formerly known as Canh Duong, is a coastal village with a proud revolutionary tradition forged during years of resistance. Shaped by the forthright spirit of seafaring life and a long-standing sense of civic responsibility, local fishermen have long placed their trust in the leadership of the Party and their respect for state laws. For that reason, information about the upcoming election has attracted widespread attention among residents.

In the early days of 2026, thanks to intensive communication from local authorities, fishermen here are well aware of the election date, voting procedures, and their rights and obligations as voters. Through loudspeaker broadcasts, social media platforms, and word-of-mouth communication within hamlets and mass organizations, the Law on Elections of National Assembly and People’s Council deputies - along with the spirit of a nationwide civic celebration - has been widely disseminated.

Community meetings organized by village committees and mass organizations have further reinforced this message, encouraging fishermen to proactively arrange their work schedules to participate in the vote and fully exercise their civic rights and responsibilities.

Do Chung Hanh, born in 1973 and a fisherman in Hoa Trach commune, shared that after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, his vessel is scheduled to set sail for the first fishing trip of the year. The return date usually depends on the volume of seafood caught, but this year, the election has become a decisive factor in planning.

“We will do our best to come back earlier or exactly on Election Day so we can vote together with everyone else, in accordance with regulations”, Hanh said with visible enthusiasm. “This is our right. By voting, we can choose representatives who truly reflect the people’s aspirations”.

Grassroots mobilization reaches the sea

According to Pham Tuan Anh, head of the Fatherland Front’s community affairs board in Tan Canh residential area, local grassroots organizations have made active use of digital platforms to reach voters.

“Our community has set up a Facebook page dedicated to election information so that residents clearly understand their rights and responsibilities,” he said. “Given the nature of coastal livelihoods, where fishermen often spend long periods at sea, we have also encouraged family representatives or eligible voters to arrange participation in a way that ensures no one is left out”.

This approach reflects a broader effort to adapt election communication and organization to the realities of coastal life, where mobility and distance pose unique challenges.

Election preparations progress on schedule

So far, preparations for the election of National Assembly deputies and People’s Council members for the 2026–2031 term in Hoa Trach commune have proceeded according to plan. The locality has successfully held the first round of voter consultation conferences to agree on the structure, composition, and number of candidates for the commune-level People’s Council, with 43 candidates introduced.

Legal documents related to election work have been disseminated in a timely, coordinated, and well-oriented manner. Hoa Trach has established 13 Election Boards overseeing 18 polling stations, ensuring comprehensive organizational coverage.

Material conditions for polling stations are being carefully prepared and tailored to the specific circumstances of each area. Plans to maintain security and public order, as well as contingency measures to handle unforeseen situations during the election process, have also been developed and proactively implemented.

Similar efforts are underway in other coastal and midland communes across the province, where communication and voter mobilization activities are being intensified.

Province-wide coordination and oversight

At the provincial level, Quang Tri has established four Election Boards for National Assembly deputies, 20 Election Boards for provincial People’s Council deputies, and 497 Election Boards at the commune level. Training sessions on election procedures and responsibilities have been conducted early and flexibly, combining in-person and online formats to ensure smooth information flow from provincial authorities down to grassroots units.

Nguyen Dang Quang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, and Chairman of the Provincial Election Committee, noted that Quang Tri is placing strong emphasis on public communication as a central pillar of election preparation.

From the fishing boats setting sail at dawn to the polling stations awaiting voters on Election Day, the determination of Quang Tri’s coastal fishermen illustrates how civic duty remains firmly anchored in everyday life - even amid the uncertainties of the open sea.