Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc and his spouse make a toast for new year 2022. Source: VNA

The Vietnamese community in the US and US friends gathered at the “Xuan Que huong” (Homeland Spring) program that was held online on Jan. 21 (local time) in Washington on the occasion of the coming Lunar New Year (Tet), the most important festival of Vietnamese people, VNA reported Saturday.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc highlighted the meaning of the traditional Tet in the culture of Vietnam.

Looking back on the past year, the diplomat underlined that Vietnam and the US have put Covid-19 under good control and are boosting socio-economic recovery. The Vietnamese community in the US has risen strongly despite difficulties brought by the pandemic, he said, adding that the community had provided helpful support to the homeland in the Coid-19 fight.

Noting that good progress was seen in the Vietnam-US relations across all fields last year, Ngoc took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese community in the US as well as the US and international friends for giving Vietnam helpful support over the years.

He extended best New Year wishes to the community, expressing hope that the Year of the Tiger will bring luck, success, as well as stronger recovery and growth for Vietnam and the Vietnam-US relations.

Bun Cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with rice vermicelli noodles) introduced at the event. Source: VNA

Participants at the program. Source: VNA

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper expressed his delight to return to Vietnam as an ambassador. He extended New Year's wish in Vietnamese to all participants.

He affirmed that he will work hard for the further development of the Vietnam-US ties, contributing to peace, security, the prosperity of the region and the world.

Over 70 organizations and individuals honored for contributions to Covid-19 combat

Back in Vietnam, the annual Xuan Que Huong program 2022 took place on Jan. 21-22 (19th - 20th day of the last lunar month of the year of the Buffalo).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has hosted a reception for a delegation of more than 50 Vietnamese intellectuals and entrepreneurs who returned from abroad to attend the program.

Overseas Vietnamese honored for contributions to homeland’s Covid-19 combat. Photo: TGVN

OVs who have made great contributions to the home country's Covid-19 fight and development also was honored in a meeting on Jan. 22 within the framework of the annual event.

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu, head of the Foreign Ministry’s State Committee for OV Affairs, said that this is a special and meaningful occasion to look back on a challenging 2021, and express gratitude to individuals and organizations who have supported and accompanied the country to overcome difficulties in recent years.

OVs in many countries had engaged in practical activities to help the homeland. They have donated up to VND 80 billion (over USD 3.5 million) to the fight against the pandemic in general and the Covid-19 vaccine fund in particular, along with large amounts of medical equipment and supplies.

Many Vietnamese expatriates in Singapore, Australia, Japan, Germany, the US, and the Republic of Korea have actively worked along with Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in calling for assistance from their host countries' governments, opening up many opportunities for Vietnam to access vaccines, medicines and medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 prevention.

Besides active contributions to Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy, organizations and networks of entrepreneurs, intellectuals, youth and students had kept effective connections with the homeland, contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development, Hieu said.

33 organizations and 45 individuals were presented certificates of merit of the VFF Central Committee for their contributions to the OV affairs and to consolidating the great national unity bloc.

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