On March 15, many people in Việt Nam cast their votes. Colorful banners decorate polling stations, where boards display candidate lists for three levels of office: commune or ward People’s Councils, including provincial or municipal councils, and the National Assembly.

Every five years, citizens observe a peculiar pattern that repeats so often that many forget how unusual it is. Most names on these candidate boards are unfamiliar, accompanied by only a few lines of personal information, such as professional qualifications, the date they joined the Party, and a brief action plan.