The official, who is also Chairwoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)'s State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA), added that the group donated over 58 billion VND (2.28 million USD) and large quantities of relief supplies to help ease the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi back home.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the press conference in Hanoi on January 9.

2024 marked two decades since the Politburo issued Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on OV affairs, she noted. Currently, over 6 million Vietnamese, including over 600,000 intellectuals and professionals, are living in more than 130 countries and territories.

Despite numerous challenges in the past year, the community remained stable, with its role and standing within society further elevated.

The Deputy Minister stated that Vietnam policies concerning OV have been prioritised, underscoring the commitment of the Party and State to this group.

According to her, planned activities for them last year included well-established annual events like the Homeland Spring, visiting Truong Sa (Spratly Archipelago), and Vietnam summer camp programmes, as well as Vietnamese language teaching courses for overseas teachers.

Notably, the 4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese (OV), combined with a forum for intellectuals and experts, gathered 500 delegates from 42 countries and territories alongside 200 representatives from Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and organisations.

More than 70 presentations by OV experts addressed topics such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, supply chains, green and circular economies, culture, and Vietnamese language conservation.

In addition, thousands of books and five Vietnamese-language bookcases were presented to Vietnamese communities abroad.

Answering a question from a Vietnam News Agency reporter about the focus for 2025, Hang said Vietnam is entering a pivotal era - that of the nation's rise, presenting fresh challenges and opportunities in the OV work.

The initial priority is to continue fostering the tradition of national solidarity, she said, adding that key tasks include supporting the group in achieving stable livelihoods, integrating and thriving in their host countries, building cohesive and vibrant OV communities abroad, ensuring their legitimate rights and interest, and creating the most favourable conditions to harness their potential serving national development.

The official also shared details about the Homeland Spring programme, an annual event organised by SCOVA and relevant agencies to welcome OV back to their roots to celebrate the Lunar New Year festival – Vietnam’s longest and most important one.

She said the 2025 edition is scheduled to take place in Hanoi from January 18 to 20 (from the 19th to 21st days of the Lunar Year of the Dragon), featuring a host of activities. Approximately 1,000 OV delegates are expected to attend, including over 100 prominent representatives from various fields worldwide.

4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese wraps up

The 4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese (OV) officially concluded in the capital city on August 22 afternoon, successfully completing the agenda and planned activities.

Summer camp for young overseas Vietnamese kicks off in Hanoi

The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs kicked off the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024 for young overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Hanoi on July 16.

Overseas remittances to HCMC record highest increase in three years

Overseas remittances to Ho Chi Minh City exceeded US$2.86 billion in the first quarter of 2024, an annual increase of 35.4% and the highest recorded in three consecutive years.

Overseas Vietnamese in Laos, France, Israel commemorate Hung Kings

The General Association of Vietnamese in Laos and the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane on April 18 held a ceremony to observe the commemorative anniversary of the Hung Kings, the legendary nation founders.

Vietnam pours capital into 17 new investment projects overseas in Jan-Feb

Vietnamese enterprises invested over 25 million USD in 17 new projects aboard in the first two months of 2024, equal to 21.7% of the capital registered in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.

“Homeland Spring” programme for overseas Vietnamese held in Vancouver

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Vancouver on February 5 held a “Homeland Spring” programme to bring a warm Lunar New Year (Tet) atmosphere to overseas Vietnamese living in the western region of Canada.