The 11 independents who made it through the rigorous screening process is up from two in the previous election, neither of whom won a seat. You can't say that it has made mistakes and you would do things differently. With the political stripes of the candidates carefully orchestrated, the new assembly will be full of fresh faces. Less than a third of the current deputies are seeking reelection. This could mean a new body that is more likely to flex its muscles and speak out, observers say, noting that toward the end of the current term some deputies showed an independent will.
People are willing to speak out and be engaged in a national debate.
Others observers said the assembly has evolved from a rubber stamp legislature to a body with a voice. Last year deputies rejected a ministerial appointment and criticised the government for planning a multibillion dollar north-south highway without consulting them first. Nearly one third of the candidates are women. Nguyen Thi Phuong Minh, vice president of Vietnam Women's Union said she hoped to see the women account for at least 25 percent of the deputies, compared to 18.5 percent elected in 1992, which is already higher than many western democracies. Campaigning in Vietnam is a far cry from the political extravaganzas associated with voting in other countries.