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Vietnamese singer Mai Khoi sings during a performance in Ho Chi Minh City in this undated handout picture released March 17, 2016. Pop star Mai Khoi, dubbed “Vietnam's Lady Gaga” for her risqué outfits, is running for parliament along with a motley crew of dissidents and activists testing the limits in the authoritarian nation. The singer is no stranger to controversy – her song Selfie Orgasm prompted a storm of criticism, and her fashion choices, including braless public appearances, regularly cause ripples of shock in the state-run media. Now the 32-year-old has joined an array of lawyers, journalists and political dissidents posing a challenge to the communist leadership by running for elected office in the National Assembly. On paper, Vietnam – unlike its northern neighbour China – has a democratic constitution, which allows anyone over 21 to seek election to parliament. Academic Nguyen Quang A, another candidate, explained that in reality however, more than 90 per cent of the 500-strong legislative body are members of the ruling Communist Party, with the remaining lawmakers mostly wealthy businesspeople seeking to advance their interests. (Photo by Dai Ngo/Reuters/Courtesty of singer Mai Khoi)
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