Voters in Cao Son cross mountains to participate in the election.

On election day, March 15th, in remote villages and hamlets, many voters set off at dawn, traversing familiar mountain roads to reach polling stations in time to attend the sacred flag-raising ceremony on election day. This is a report from a Hmong village in Cao Son hamlet, Nam Tuan commune.

Before the sun had even risen behind the high mountains, halfway up the mountain, the small road leading to Cao Son hamlet in Nam Tuan commune was already bustling with footsteps. They were all heading in the same direction, following the familiar path they used every day to stay in their village. But this morning, that road led to a special destination: the polling station halfway up the mountain for the Mong people of Cao Son.

Polling stations were located in the central area, halfway up the mountain.

From small, scattered settlements, many voters woke up very early to reach the polling station. Some walked for over an hour to be able to participate in the sacred flag-raising ceremony on election day. Their steps were slow but full of excitement. Because for the people here, election day is always a special day. Ms. Hoang Thi Thu, having traveled a long distance to the polling station, was filled with anticipation and excitement:   "I woke up at 3 a.m. today to attend the flag-raising ceremony on election day, and I hope that the delegates in the next term will pay more attention to the lives of the people, so that the people of Cao Son hamlet will have a better life."

Many voters living in remote areas of the Cao Son highland village woke up at 3 a.m. to be able to attend the sacred flag-raising ceremony on election day.

The village's polling station was located in a small school in the middle of the hamlet. After the solemn flag-raising ceremony, the villagers followed the procedures of receiving their ballots, entering the polling booth, and casting their votes according to regulations. Each ballot was not only a citizen's right; it was also an expression of the trust that the people of this border region placed in those who represented their will and aspirations.

Voters read the biographies of their candidates before casting their ballots.

Election officials guide voters in exercising their civic right to elect them.

The first ballots were cast at polling station number 26, Cao Son hamlet, Nam Tuan commune.

Joy on election day.

Mr. Hau Van Giang, 82 years old, has participated in elections many times and witnessed the changes in his village, so for him, personally casting his ballot into the ballot box holds immense significance:   “Today I am very happy to go to the polls. Although the journey is long, the whole neighborhood is gathered together, very excited and happy to cast our votes to choose a person with virtue, talent, and worth to be a representative for the people. I have voted many times, but I have never been as happy as this year. The people are very excited,” Mr. Giang said.

Mr. Hau Van Giang (third from the right) was visibly moved while attending the flag-raising ceremony at the Cao Son hamlet polling station.

In this small village, election day is also a festival. People wear their traditional Hmong costumes in a variety of vibrant colors on this special occasion. After casting their votes, many linger in the yard, chatting and sharing warm, friendly conversations. The atmosphere is both solemn and intimate, like a familiar gathering of villagers.

The Hmong people in Cao Son chatted amicably during the election day.

The footsteps we take this morning will soon return to the fields, to our daily lives. But each ballot cast into the ballot box carries with it new and greater hopes.

The path to the polling station for the villagers in the mountain hamlet crosses over jagged, cat's-ear-shaped rocks.

Hoang Van Tu, 22 years old, who today served as both a security officer for the festival and a young voter with much faith and hope in the representatives chosen by the people, shared: “Today, I participated in the election and I really hope that the elected representatives will consider creating conditions for the young people in the highlands of Cao Son hamlet to have a road from the foot of the hill up to here, so that cars can reach the school, making it easier for people to travel and improve their economic situation . Now, if they raise a buffalo or have 100 kg of rice or corn, they have to carry it on their shoulders or on their backs to sell it at the market, which takes about 1 to 2 hours.”

The Hmong village in Cao Son is located in isolation on the high mountain slopes.

From remote villages, each voter's ballot today is joining the common flow of the nation. Footsteps on the small paths of the mountainous Cao Son hamlet may be quiet. But it is from these footsteps that the great festival of the entire nation is being written with new chapters right on the border of the Fatherland.

Quynh Nhu - Duc Thu

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/

Source: https://sonoivu.caobang.gov.vn/hoat-dong-nganh/cu-tri-cao-son-vuot-nui-tham-gia-bau-cu-1047191