Despite Viet Nam’s constitutional guarantees and commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), representation of persons with disabilities in elected bodies remains extremely low. Research on political participation of persons with disabilities in Viet Nam highlights four key barriers to representation: (i) indirect legal restrictions, such as the “adequate health” requirement; (ii) inaccessible nomination, campaigning, and voting processes; (iii) limited institutional and political party support for candidates with disabilities; and, (iv) persistent stereotypes and societal prejudices. The upcoming 2026 National Election of representatives to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at the provincial and commune levels presents an urgent and strategic opportunity for reform. This policy brief outlines evidence-based recommendations, drawing on national research, international good practices, and Viet Nam’s own pilot initiatives, to ensure the right to vote and stand for election for all citizens without discrimination." (It's excerpt from the executive summary so you can get the translation from the Vietnamese version. I took out "This underrepresentation limits diversity in the country’s political system, reduces policy responsiveness to the needs of over seven percent of Viet Nam’s population and undermines inclusive governance objectives under Sustainable Development Goal 16.