“The moment I marched with 56 fellow OVs from five continents on Ba Dinh Square, the historic site where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed independence, I felt as if I were reliving the most glorious pages of our nation’s history,” she said. For her, the atmosphere reflected the strength of national solidarity and the pride of a united people, with OVs playing an inseparable part.
Having lived and worked in the RoK for 15 years, Hien has not always been able to return home as often as she would like. Yet every visit made her impressed by the country’s transformation. She noted modern transportation systems, vibrant cities, and increasingly developed rural areas where both material and spiritual life has risen remarkably.
“What strikes me most is Vietnam’s spirit of renewal and its aspiration to move forward,” she explained. “The country is not only changing outwardly but also showing strong determination for international integration, building a knowledge-based, green, and sustainable economy. With these achievements, I believe Vietnam will be increasingly affirming its position on the global stage. That belief is also our pride as OVs who always look toward the Fatherland.”
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Tran Thi Hien, an OV in RoK |
Her years in RoK have also given her perspective. She observed how the country’s remarkable rise, often called the “Miracle on the Han River,” was made possible through reforms, streamlined governance, and effective management. She expressed confidence that Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to streamline its administrative system and adopt a two-tier governance model would likewise improve efficiency, transparency, and convenience for both citizens and businesses. “This will create a more open investment and business environment and allow Vietnam to better leverage resources from both inside and outside the country,” she added.
For overseas Vietnamese like Hien, the greatest hope is for their Fatherland to grow rapidly yet sustainably, becoming a modern, dynamic, and competitive nation regionally and globally. She believes current reforms will not only strengthen Vietnam’s standing, but also open more opportunities for the overseas community to make contribution.
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Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese receive VKBIA delegation on National Day. |
In her view, one of the most encouraging developments is the growing role of the private business sector. Resolution No.68, which underscores the importance of the private economy, has provided momentum for entrepreneurship and innovation. It has also opened channels for connecting with international resources, including RoK.
As Vice Chairwoman of VKBIA’s Seoul–Gyeonggido Chapter and a businesswoman in consumer supermarkets and agricultural import–export, Hien sees this as a breakthrough. “It provides the legal foundation and confidence for Vietnamese private enterprises to expand and participate more deeply in global value chains,” she said. This, she added, creates conditions for VKBIA to further serve as a bridge for investment, technology transfer, and high-quality workforce training, helping strengthen the private sector as a key driver of Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization.
The OV also highlighted how the Party and State have paid growing attention to the OV community in recent years. Simplified immigration procedures, favorable investment policies, and programs promoting cooperation in science, technology, education, and culture all demonstrate Vietnam’s recognition of OV as a vital resource for development.
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OVs before a training session for the celebration |
Looking ahead, she hopes Vietnam will continue adopting open and flexible policies to attract intellectuals, experts, and entrepreneurs from abroad. “There should be long-term and sustainable mechanisms so that the knowledge, experience, and resources of the Vietnamese abroad can be fully integrated into the country’s industrialization and modernization,” she emphasized.
Translated by Tran Hoai