Vietnam seeks further contributions from overseas Vietnamese
Vietnam reaffirmed that its six million-strong overseas Vietnamese diaspora is an essential component of the country and that it has provided advantageous conditions for their contributions.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam has called for more expertise and experiences from intellectuals and expatriate Vietnamese to make the country stronger.
| General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam meets with overseas Vietnamese in Hanoi on August 23. Photos: Tuan Viet/Baoquocte |
The leader made the remarks at a meeting in Hanoi on August 23 with a group of 60 overseas Vietnamese (OV) who represented more than 400 Vietnamese people living abroad who came home to attend the 4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese (OV) and the 2024 Forum of OV Intellectuals and Experts.
He expressed his hope that OVs will invest in their home country and promote Vietnam’s culture and brands internationally.
He believed that they would strictly uphold the laws of the host nation, foster solidarity and mutual aid, keep in mind the spirit of “the whole leaf covers the torn one” and never give up the tradition that “People in the same country must love each other” in order to take care of their personal development, succeed in business, foster a sense of pride and self-respect in the country, and maintain close ties to their families and homeland.
It is his hope that the expatriate Vietnamese community will become more resilient, actively support their new home country, and stand by the fatherland in the years to come, particularly during the critical period leading up to the country's milestones in 2030 (the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam) and 2045 (the 100th anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
He expected that no matter where they are or how good or bad their lives are, our people will always have a deep love for their homeland and will never forget that “Vietnamese people are the soul of the nation.” Despite being far from their native country, they must continue to cherish national cultural traditions and the Vietnamese language so that their future generations will never forget where they came from as President Ho Chi Minh reminded them.
He reaffirmed that the Party, the State, and the people always welcome and facilitate the return of the OVs for family visits, travel, business, and investments. Their ideas and contributions will always be valued.
Vietnam will keep refining policies to draw in and leverage the valuable resources of the OVs for the sake of national development while fostering international collaboration to uphold the rights of the Vietnamese community abroad and assist them to stabilize their lives and successfully integrate into their new nation.
| OV representatives at the Presidential Palace on August 23. |
The General Secretary and President also expressed great appreciation for the insightful suggestions made by the OVs at the 4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese (OV) and the 2024 Forum of OV Intellectuals and Experts. Of particular note were the OVs’ knowledge of green growth, high technology, promoting Vietnamese language and culture, and strengthening national unity.
He highly appreciated their efforts in Vietnam’s diplomacy, especially in people-to-people exchanges, which have contributed to enhancing Vietnam’s prestige on the international stage.
At the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highlighted the importance of the conference, to be held after 2009, 2012, and 2016 at a time when the whole country is speeding up the accomplishment of tasks set at the 13th Party Congress in 2021. It also marks 20 years of the implementation of the Politburo Resolution 36-NQ/TW on the work for overseas Vietnamese.
He affirmed that the OV work has received special attention from the top leaders and authorities at all levels. Vietnamese expatriates have made numerous policy recommendations and proposals that have been accepted by the domestic authorities, turned into laws and policies, and are greatly valued by the populace.
Reaffirming that overseas Vietnamese are an indispensable part of the nation, Vietnam has offered favorable conditions to facilitate the return of the community which numbers some six million.
The conference, the first in eight years, brought together a large number of Vietnamese intellectuals who provided valuable insights into high technology, economy, trade, investment, national unity, culture, and the Vietnamese language.
The event saw the signing of more than 10 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between OV businesses and organizations and domestic partners in many fields such as technology transfer, human resources training, and media.
Overseas Vietnamese have been making significant contributions to Hanoi across various sectors, including the economy, education, culture, and social development. Economic contributions include remittances: Overseas Vietnamese send large remittances back to Vietnam, much of which is invested in Hanoi; investment and entrepreneurship: many of them have returned to Hanoi to invest in businesses, from startups in tech and innovation to traditional sectors like tourism and manufacturing. Their knowledge of international markets and access to capital contribute to Hanoi’s economic growth; real estate: Overseas Vietnamese have also been actively investing in Hanoi’s real estate market, contributing to urban development and housing projects. In terms of knowledge and technology transfer: Overseas Vietnamese professionals have brought advanced expertise in fields like IT, engineering, medicine, and education. They have helped transfer new technologies and business practices to Hanoi, enhancing productivity and modernizing industries. Through collaborations with local institutions and universities, they have improved education systems and research, particularly in STEM fields, contributing to Hanoi's reputation as an intellectual hub. Regarding cultural contributions, many overseas Vietnamese have been key players in promoting Vietnamese culture abroad while also reintroducing modern cultural elements from their countries of residence to Hanoi. This includes contributions to art, cinema, fashion, and music. They have also supported cultural exchanges, events, and festivals that celebrate Vietnamese heritage while embracing global cultural trends, enriching Hanoi’s cosmopolitan character. In addition, they are involved in charitable activities in Hanoi, funding schools, hospitals, and scholarships, especially for underprivileged communities. This helps improve education, healthcare, and social welfare for residents. They also participate in projects related to environmental protection, poverty reduction, and infrastructure development in Hanoi, contributing to the city’s overall sustainability. Meanwhile, overseas Vietnamese serve as informal ambassadors, fostering diplomatic and economic ties between Vietnam and their adopted countries. They help promote Hanoi as a destination for international trade, investment, and tourism. By maintaining connections between Hanoi and Vietnamese communities abroad, they help the city engage more effectively with the global Vietnamese diaspora and wider international community. These contributions have positioned Hanoi as both a national capital and an increasingly globalized city, with the OVs playing a pivotal role in its development. | |
