The Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) artistic programme was held in Hanoi, bringing together more than 3,000 delegates, including 1,000 overseas Vietnamese (OV), VNA reported.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc beats the drum to kick off the 2023 “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring).

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc beat the drum to kick off the 2023 Xuan Que Huong, the biggest annual event for OVs on the occasion of the Tet festival, at an art programme in Hanoi on January 14.

In his remarks, the President briefed the OVs on the country’s socio-economic situation in 2022, and affirmed that Vietnamese abroad form an integral part of the nation and an important factor helping to enhance cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and other countries, which has been stated in the Politburo’s Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

He hailed OVs for their material and spiritual contributions to national construction and defence, saying they raised tens of billions of Vietnam dong in support of the Covid-19 fight as well as victims of natural disasters at home.

They have also played a role in the country’s external relations, he said, highlighting the increasing remittances which make up 7% of the national GDP, and contributions by overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to scientific-technological and innovative activities in the homeland.

Over the past years, the State has rolled out various policies to support OVs in conflict-affected areas in the world and worked to raise their legal status in host countries, Phuc stressed.

He called on them to carry forward their patriotism, for a prosperous and powerful Vietnam.

An art performance at the programme on January 14

On the sidelines of the event, several OVs shared their pleasure as they enjoyed the atmosphere of traditional Tet holiday in the country. They expressed their confidence in Vietnam's socio-economic development in 2023.

Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, a 55-year-old OV from Poland, said she appreciates the Party's guidelines and State policies for OVs, which affirm the overseas Vietnamese community is an integral part of the nation.

These guidelines and policies have met the needs of OVs, she said, adding that they have also promoted adding Vietnamese into teaching curricula at educational institutions in areas where many Vietnamese live.

The teaching of Vietnamese for the 2nd and 3rd generation is very necessary, she went on. “Focus should be on the best options to teach the children to read and write Vietnamese so that they understand their ancestors as well as the national cultural identity of Vietnam", she said.

Etcetera Nguyen, an OV from the United States, said that after two years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tet atmosphere this year is more vibrant. According to him, in recent years, the role of the overseas Vietnamese community has continuously strengthened in host countries and they have made positive contributions to the fatherland through specific actions.

For his part, Dr. Tran Hai Linh, chairman of the Vietnam-Korea Business and Investment Association, said he was impressed by the meetings between Party and State leaders and OVs to listen to their opinions and aspirations. Linh said he is proud of Vietnam's efforts to overcome difficulties, control the pandemic and restore socio-economic activities.

Regarding Vietnam’s policies for OVs, he suggested strengthening and promoting the role of those who are qualified and understand both sides in assisting relevant Vietnamese bodies to develop cooperation plans with other countries around the world.

A performance at the Xuan Que Huong programme.

The art programme was jointly held by the State Committee for OV Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hanoi People’s Committee.

The programme featured elaborately staged special art performances, praising the tradition of great solidarity, "drinking water, remembering the source", contributing to bringing the bustling spring atmosphere throughout the country as well as in the Vietnamese community abroad. The event has the presence of domestic artists and overseas artists.

In addition, before the art program, OVs have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary festival program imbued with the culture of the three regions.

Earlier, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Phuc and representatives of the over 5 million Vietnamese living in foreign countries and territories offered incense at the Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi, in memory of those who built and defended the country over the past millennia, and prayed for further development and prosperity for Vietnam.

In the morning the same day, they performed the traditional practice of releasing carps at the Citadel. The representatives also visited Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and laid wreaths the monument to martyrs, both in the centre of Hanoi.

According to Vietnamese tradition, the 23rd day of the last lunar month of the year is the “ong Cong ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) festival. On this day, people prepare an offering tray to express their gratitude to the gods. Golden carps are released after the worshipping ritual as people believe they will carry the Kitchen Gods to the Heaven.

Also on the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for a delegation of overseas Vietnamese who are now in Vietnam for the "Xuan Que huong" (Homeland Spring) 2023.

The leader highly valued the ideas of overseas Vietnamese and their aspirations to make contributions to the homeland, which manifests the beautiful tradition and the spirit of the great national solidarity bloc, especially amid difficulties.

He hailed and thanked the efforts and contributions of 5.3 million-strong Vietnamese community abroad over the years, contributing to the overall development achievements of the country.

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