Vietnam has announced a preliminary list of 1,323 candidates for the election of the 12th National Assembly (NA), the country's top legislature, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Monday.

The list comprises of 238 self-nominated candidates, including 101 from southern Ho Chi Minh City and 52 from Hanoi capital. It also includes 143 ethnic minority people and 391 women, the paper quoted NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong as saying.

The publication of the list is an important step in the convening of the third consultative conference which will decide on the official list, he said.

On May 20, local voters nationwide will select 500 deputies for the 12th NA, and representatives for the People's Councils at local levels.

Source: Xinhua