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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visiting an exhibition held on the sidelines of the program |
Speaking at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the work of caring for and supporting people, promoting national unity, and mobilizing resources from overseas Vietnamese continued to be paid attention to. Senior leaders of the Party and State cared about and spent time visiting overseas Vietnamese in many countries around the world during their overseas business trips.
Many activities to connect overseas Vietnamese with their homeland, such as the Homeland Spring Program 2022, Hung Kings Commemoration Anniversary, Overseas Vietnamese delegation’s visits to Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and DK1 Platforms, Vietnam Summer Camp, have been resumed when the country reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates joining the event |
Activities to provide legal and material support for overseas Vietnamese, especially those in difficult areas, such as Ukraine and Cambodia, have been implemented in an active, timely, and effective manner. Those activities have further affirmed the Party's policy of considering the overseas Vietnamese community an integral part and important resource of Vietnam; demonstrated the sentiment and responsibility of the Party and State for taking care of compatriots abroad.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country’s important achievements partly came from the valuable contribution of the Vietnamese abroad. “Our expats increasingly agree and support the renewal cause and are willing to shoulder the country's responsibilities, gradually contributing to the successful implementation of important contents determined by the 13th National Party Congress,” he said.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaking at the program |
Congratulating overseas Vietnamese on the lunar New Year, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that last year the world faced unpredictable fluctuations and difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic had not been completely controlled; severe natural disasters and conflicts took place in many places; and arms races, use of force, and political violence increased. The inherent contradictions among major powers deepened, affecting the effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms and mobilization of resources for global issues.
In that difficult context, the Vietnamese stayed united under the leadership of the Party and State, strongly promoted internal resources in combination with international ones, overcame difficulties and challenges, took advantage of opportunities and obtained many great and important achievements, the President affirmed.
The Vietnamese community abroad was also a "catalyst" making an important contribution to the success of the country's diplomatic activities. Through cultural exchanges and religious activities, overseas Vietnamese contributed to preserving and popularizing Vietnam and its cultural values abroad and forming a network of friendship ambassadors in other countries, just as President Ho Chi Minh told overseas Vietnamese in 1946, "Each overseas Vietnamese must be a people's ambassador of Vietnam."
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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sending New Year wishes to overseas Vietnamese |
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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc drumming to kick off the event |
The State President went on to say that Vietnam is full of aspiration to build an independent, self-reliant, and prosperous country. The 13th National Party Congress set the strategic goal of building a developed and high-income Vietnam by 2045. On its way to achieve it, despite many difficulties and challenges, the high enough aspiration will be a strong source of motivation to unite the whole nation to turn it into reality. “In that process, I hope that our overseas Vietnamese - children of Lac Hong bloodline - will always remember President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching about solidarity to join hands to evoke the patriotic spirit for a prosperous and powerful Vietnam,” the President stated.
On behalf of the Party, State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and Vietnamese people, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc wished overseas Vietnamese and distinguished guests good health, happiness, and success.
After the speech, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc drummed to kick off the New Year 2023 Festival.
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An artistic performances at the event |
The Homeland Spring was broadcast live on Vietnam Television Channels 1 and 4 and digital platforms. During the event, participants were entertained with well-prepared performances in praise of the national unity bloc and gratitude tradition of the Vietnamese people.
Translated by Tran Hoai