On Jan. 7, in Hanoi, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) informed the press of the community work results in 2021 and the direction for 2022.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu, Chairman of the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese informed the press about the situation of the Vietnamese community in 2021.

Photo: Bao Quoc Te

The community currently has about 5.3 million Vietnamese living in more than 130 countries and territories.

In 2021, the community has made many efforts to adapt and recover their lives, work and study at home, and carried out practical activities to contribute to the country.

Overseas Vietnamese increasingly contribute to the country's development, in terms of economic resources, intellectual resources especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Notably, overseas Vietnamese have donated more than VND 80 billion (US$3.5 million), along with many medical equipment and supplies to support the Covid-19 Vaccine fund and the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic in the homeland.

Many actively cooperate in transferring technology for research, testing vaccines, sharing experience in epidemic prevention with Vietnam. They even volunteer in the frontline of the fight against the epidemic.

Despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of remittances to Vietnam in 2021 still increased by 5.2% compared to 2020 - estimated at US $18.1 billion, according to the World Bank.

Many Vietnamese experts and intellectuals have gathered and established innovation networks in the locality and promoted domestic activities such as the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea, Japan, Australia, etc.

Also, several groups were established such as the Union of Vietnamese Youth and Student Associations in Europe, and the network of overseas intellectual associations, which support technology innovation and commercialization.

The community increasingly trusts and expresses its desire to accompany and contribute to the development of the country.

In particular, overseas Vietnamese welcomed and highly appreciated Politburo's promulgation of Conclusion No. 12-KL/TW dated August 12, 2021, on the work of foreign workers in the new situation. Thus, the contents of the conclusion correctly and accurately reflected the wishes and desires of the people.

However, there are still challenges due to unstable legal status. Crime among foreign workers in some areas tends to increase and develop affecting the image of Vietnam in the host country.

Although the direct protests of reactionary and extremist organizations and individuals have been narrowed in size and influence, these subjects have increased their activities online, taking advantage of social media.

"Hot and negative" issues in the homeland, especially democracy, human rights, and some historical issues are used to spread inaccurate information.

Seven key focuses in 2022

Deputy Minister Pham Quang Hieu stressed that in 2022, the Committee's services will continue comprehensively and strongly implement the spirit of the Resolution of the XIII Party Congress.

The State committee achieved achieving many outstanding results in 2021.Photo: Bao Quoc Te

In 2022, the State Committee on Foreign Affairs will focus on implementing two breakthroughs: the work of national unity for the people, and promoting overseas resources, serving the development of the country.

In addition, the Committee will implement 7 focuses: Implement the Government's action plan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' action plan on public sector work for 2021–2026; strengthen the great national unity; promote human resources for national development; support people in legal status and stable livelihood; supporting the community in teaching and learning Vietnamese, preserving the national cultural identity; strengthen communication; and strengthen the coordination between domestic and foreign agencies, consolidating the organizational apparatus for foreign affairs.

Spring in homeland

This year's "Spring in Homeland" promises many colorful cultural programs. Photo: Le An

This annual program continues to be the largest political, foreign and cultural activity to celebrate the Lunar New Year and to connect overseas Vietnamese around the world.

This is also an opportunity for the Party and Government leaders to listen to overseas Vietnamese and to honor people that have made great contributions to the homeland.

In the past two years, many Vietnamese have not had opportunities to visit their families back home. Therefore, the program will leave a deep impression on the overseas Vietnamese, in accordance with the spirit of Conclusion No. 12-KL/T of the Politburo issued on the State committee's work in the new normal.

According to the State Committee, this year's program includes signature traditional activities such as offering incense and releasing fish; visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, memorializing heroes and martyrs; meeting with senior leaders of the Party, State and Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, etc. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver a New Year greeting as usual.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Foreign Affairs Luong Thanh Nghi shared that about 300 overseas Vietnamese are expected to attend the Hanoi Opera House, of which there are about 100 overseas Vietnamese, who are celebrities and intellectuals, scientists, experts, entrepreneurs, young individuals with outstanding achievements in fields such as culture, art, science, and technology.

This year's "Spring in Homeland" also has the participation of Vinh Phuc province. It brings activities of introducing and promoting investment and trade in the province with typical overseas Vietnamese delegations.

This is an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese to increase their understanding of the development of the country, thereby encouraging overseas Vietnamese to contribute more in the future.

Also, there will be an art exchange program. The audience will see the development of Vietnamese music and art, in harmony in preserving and promoting cultural and traditional values in the performances.

The program will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television at 8 p.m., Jan. 22 (the 20th day of the 12th lunar month), at Hanoi Opera House.

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