Polls opened in Vietnam on Sunday as millions of voters queued up to cast ballots to elect 500 members of the National Assembly from a list of candidates who mostly belong to the ruling Communist Party.

Out of 864 candidates for the 500-seat parliament, only 65, or 7.5%, are independents — down from 8.5% in 2021.

About 73.5 million registered voters are expected to take part in the elections, choosing both national and local representatives.

In Vietnam's one-party system, the most powerful posts are usually determined by senior Communist leaders ahead of the vote.

What to expect from Vietnam's elections?

The current legislature is comprised of 97% Communist Party members with virtually no opposition, giving the party sweeping powers to decide on parliamentary proceedings.

Among the first tasks for the new parliament when it sits next month will be to select the top leaders. The opening plenary session is scheduled for early April, when lawmakers are expected to approve the nominated leaders.

Senior leader To Lam was confirmed as the ​party's general secretary and is widely expected to be Vietnam's next president.

Lam's presidency will allow the former head of public security to hold both powerful roles for five years, a political structure similar to that of its neighbor China, where Xi Jinping occupies the positions of party secretary and president.

Edited by: Sean Sinico