4.5 million Overseas Vietnamese are living in 109 countries and territories around the world. These days, many of them are coming home to celebrate the Lunar New Year and perhaps seek business opportunities.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien, an overseas Vietnamese from Hungary

Vietnam has adopted policies to capitalize on Overseas Vietnamese' resources. 

At the “Homeland Spring” get-together in Hanoi on February 8, President Tran Dai Quang said Overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. He said expects them to continue to show patriotism, self-reliance, and solidarity to build a stronger and more prosperous Vietnam.

Compatriots’ warmth

Dr. Phan Bich Thien of Hungary, who has lived abroad for more than 30 years, returns to Vietnam every Tet holiday. She said the Party and State have listened to their aspirations, solved their problems of citizenship registration, and made it easier to buy a house in Vietnam.

Thien said her homeland is very close to her heart. “We have noticed definite changes, which are the results of the Party and State caring for Overseas Vietnamese. We have representatives in Vietnam’s Fatherland Front Central Committee. This is clear confirmation of the role Overseas Vietnamese play in Vietnam," she said.

Directive 45 and Resolution 36 of the Politburo on overseas Vietnamese affairs reflect the Communist Party of Vietnam’s unwavering policy of promoting national great unity for national construction and defense.

Tran Hoa Phuong, deputy head of Ho Chi Minh City’s Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs 

Tran Hoa Phuong, deputy head of Ho Chi Minh City’s Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said the municipal authorities take Vietnamese expats into account during policymaking.

“Sectors, departments, and localities work closely with Overseas Vietnamese to turn their ideas and proposals into reality in the city’s development. We should fully tap their strength to consolidate the national unity bloc as President Ho Chi Minh taught us: “Solidarity, solidarity, and great solidarity – Success, success, and great success” , said Mr Phuong.  

Potential tapped

The Vietnamese Party and State have created incentives to attract Overseas Vietnamese’s resources for national development. Investment, travel, and residence procedures have been simplified. A total of 3,500 Vietnamese business people from the US, Australia, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Japan have invested US$8.4 billion in 51 out of 63 provinces and cities across Vietnam. 

Their investment projects involve real estate, hotel and catering services, tourism, software, oil and gas services, power production, and aquaculture.

Vietnam is among the top 10 remittance-receiving countries in the world. Last year, remittances Vietnamese send home reached US$5.2 billion, 6% more than in 2016. 

VOV5