Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Vice Chairman of HCM City People's Committee Võ Văn Hoan, and overseas Vietnameses visited tourist attractions, historical and cultural relics in HCM City on February 1. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The annual “Xuân Quê Hương” (Homeland Spring) programme, the biggest cultural event held for overseas Vietnamese (OVs) on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, took place in HCM City on February 1-2. 

The festival left a strong impression on participants, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng.

The programme helps affirm the Party and State's policy that the OV community is an inseparable part of the nation, she said, adding it also encourages Vietnamese nationals to preserve traditional cultural traits while living abroad and contribute to national development.

Various activities were organised during the 2024 programme, spotlighting the image of a dynamic and innovative HCM City.

State President Võ Văn Thưởng and his spouse held several events, including incense and flower offerings to President Hồ Chí Minh and President Tôn Đức Thắng and a carp fish release ritual on Kitchen Gods’ Day (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month). The leader also delivered Tết greetings to the OVs on February 2.

The Deputy Minister said that currently, about 6 million Vietnamese people are living in 130 countries and territories, 80% of whom are in developed countries.

To date, all major policies related to OVs have been specified and turned into particular projects, including a project to organise a day to honour the Vietnamese language abroad in the 2023-2030 period, and another to promote resources from OVs for national development. Recently, the Land Law (revised) has been approved by the National Assembly with many regulations providing favourable conditions for OVs in land-related issues, Hang noted.

Along with bolstering Vietnamese associations and organisations abroad, support activities for OVs, especially those in areas suffering difficulties, natural disasters and war have been implemented in an active and timely manner.

Many activities have been held annually for the Vietnamese community abroad, including visits for OVs to Trường Sa and DK1 platform, Việt Nam summer camp, and the “Xuân Quê Hương” programme.

The official said that this year, OV affairs will continue to be strengthened in a more comprehensive manner, aiming to show the sentiment and responsibility of the Party and State towards the Vietnamese community abroad, and encourage OVs to return to the homeland. VNS