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Voters in some of Viet Nam's most out-of-the-way regions cast their ballots early yesterday, May 15, ahead of the country's general election on May 22.

Residents and soldiers in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and locals in the mountainous district of Muong Te, northern Lai Chau Province had now made their choices, officials said.

Polling stations in remote areas were allowed to open early for the election of the 13th National Assembly and for people's councils at all levels for the 2011-16 term.

The country's first voters exercised their citizens' rights as early as 7am at 21 advance polling stations on the Truong Sa islands, some 250 sea miles off the coast of Cam Ranh Bay in central Viet Nam.

Nguyen Van Trung, a fisherman in Truong Sa Town on Truong Sa Lon Island, and his wife got up at 5am to prepare to cast their ballots instead of heading out to the sea as usual.

Luong Thi Tinh, Trung's wife, said she had spent a lot of time studying candidates' profiles and attending their campaign events in her bid to choose the best people for the job.

"I hope those I voted for will take the lead in the fight against corruption," she said.

Lieutenant-colonel Vu Van Cuong, who is based on Song Tu Tay Island, said it was the second time he had voted in Truong Sa.

"Both are milestones in my military career," he said.

Major Nguyen Van Tho, head of Sinh Ton Dong Island, said month-long preparations had been well in place before early voting opened.

Turnout figures at the advance polls in Truong Sa, however, have not been made available.

Meanwhile, most of more than 8,000 early voters in remote Muong Te District, cast their ballots during heavy rains yesterday.

By 3pm yesterday, all of the roughly 2,000 voters at six of the 15 polling stations had cast their vote while turnout at the remaining booths was reported at 70 per cent.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News