 Lansdale advised Diệm to print his ballots in red , while those of Bảo Đại were printed in green . In Vietnam , red is associated with good luck and prosperity , whereas green is often associated with a cuckold and bad luck . Diệm 's red ballots pictured him with youthful and modern @-@ looking people , while Bảo Đại 's photo was placed in old @-@ fashioned robes , which he never wore . In addition , Bảo Đại 's portrait showed him to appear dazed and bloated , while Diệm and those surrounding him were smiling and appeared to be energetic . The ballot claimed that a vote for Diệm would be a vote for democracy , stating " I depose Bảo Đại and recognise Ngô Đình Diệm as Head of State , charged with the commission of setting up a democratic regime . " Bảo Đại 's ballot read " I do not depose Bảo Đại and do not regard Ngô Đình Diệm as the Head of State charged with the commission of setting up a democratic regime . " The voters would place the red or green ballot into the box , according to their preference , while discarding the other , which meant the voting was actually not secret . 
