HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang beat the drum to kick off the Xuân Quê Hương (Homeland Spring) 2018 festival yesterday, welcoming a delegation of overseas Vietnamese (OV) who returned home to enjoy the Vietnamese New Year Tết.

The delegation included 90 delegates from 25 countries and territories worldwide, representing 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese living in 109 foreign nations and territories. 

Addressing the programme, the President highlighted Việt Nam’s major achievements in various fields and extended warmest Tết greetings to OVs and applauded their contributions to building and developing the country as well as strengthening solidarity among Vietnamese expats and promoting their integration into host nations. 

“2017 was the first time in many years we completed and exceeded all 13 socio-economic development targets set by the National Assembly,” Quang said, noting that macroeconomic stability, inflation under control, budget revenues and large balances of the economy were guaranteed. GDP growth reached 6.81 per cent while export-import turnover reached US$425 billion US dollars, the highest figure ever.

Quang also briefed the OV about the success of the APEC Việt Nam Year 2017 and the 25th APEC Summit.

“We have successfully completed the role of host, making history in the process of economic integration of the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating the stature and wisdom of Việt Nam and contributing to strengthening co-operation with other countries in the region, major partner countries and traditional friends,” he said.

He stressed that the overseas Vietnamese community was consistently considered an integral part of the nation, adding that the Party and Government would continue supporting and creating favourable conditions for OVs to integrate into host countries and make further contributions to national development. 

Earlier on Wednesday President Trần Đại Quang and the delegation of overseas Vietnamses offered incense to commemorate late President Hồ Chí Minh at House 67 in the presidential historical relic site in Hà Nội. 

The activity took place to celebrate the 88th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (February 3) and the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday which falls on February 16. 

Quang, his spouse and the delegates then released carp into Uncle Hồ’s fish pond to observe the traditional Kitchen God Day ahead of the Lunar New Year. 

The same day, Quang and his spouse also offered incense to ancestors who died to defend the country at the Kính Thiên Palace in the imperial citadel of Thăng Long.

Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc also had separate receptions to the delegation of overseas Vietnamese on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Vũ Hồng Nam praised overseas Vietnamese for their contributions to the homeland’s development and diplomacy, and to promoting Việt Nam’s reputation in 2017.

Nam stressed that each Vietnamese expat is an ambassador, who helps promote Vietnamese culture abroad. 

The expats expressed their joy at the greater attention and support that the Party, State and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) have given to Vietnamese communities abroad, affirming they will do more to make greater contributions to the homeland. 

Addressing the meeting, Vice President and Secretary General of the VFF Central Committee Hầu A Lềnh said the VFF will continue working with international organisations and its partners in foreign countries to call for more attention for Vietnamese communities. 

The VFF will also enhance supervision and inspection of the implementation of the Party’s policies and the State’s laws related to overseas Vietnamese, he stated, adding that it will also work with relevant agencies and organisations to support the teaching and learning of the Vietnamese language abroad. 

The front will recommend the Party and State draft policies to facilitate the start-up activities of young expats in the homeland, he noted. — VNS