On the afternoon of December 25, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the national conference reviewing the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on affairs concerning Vietnamese people living abroad, as well as related directives from the Politburo and the Secretariat.

The conference was held at the Government Headquarters and connected online with 98 Vietnamese diplomatic missions worldwide. Attendees included Le Hoai Trung, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son; and representatives from various central and local agencies.

Overseas Vietnamese increasingly connected with the homeland

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the nation and an essential resource for Vietnam’s development.

More than 20 years after the issuance of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, the Party and the State have consistently enhanced policies supporting overseas Vietnamese communities, fostering stronger and more meaningful bonds between people at home and abroad.

Vietnam’s legal system has also become more comprehensive, with better protection of the legitimate rights and interests of overseas citizens. Notable examples include amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, facilitating dual citizenship, and new provisions in the Laws on Science, Technology and Innovation, Land, Housing, and Real Estate Business.

Since 2004, the overseas Vietnamese population has expanded from 2.7 million in 90 countries and territories to nearly 6.5 million people in more than 130 countries and territories. Seventeen prominent overseas Vietnamese now serve on the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

The Party and the State have not only encouraged and mobilized but also redefined how to engage and utilize overseas Vietnamese talent, creating favorable conditions for them to contribute effectively.

Cultural and community programs such as “Homeland Spring,” the Hung Kings Commemoration, and youth summer camps continue to strengthen ties with the homeland. Vietnamese language promotion efforts have been particularly emphasized, with September 8 officially designated as “Vietnamese Language Day.”

Overseas Vietnamese contribute annually around USD 15 billion in remittances, and from 35 countries and territories, they have invested in 457 projects across 26 of Vietnam’s 34 provinces, with a combined registered capital of USD 1.73 billion.

Among roughly 600,000 overseas Vietnamese holding university degrees or higher, thousands of intellectuals, scientists, and experts have made meaningful contributions to Vietnam’s fields of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Ten overseas Vietnamese innovation networks have been established across 22 countries and territories, linking more than 2,000 members.

The Party and State reaffirm national unity

Representatives of overseas Vietnamese expressed pride in the success of Resolution 36, noting that it has strengthened ties with the homeland and enhanced the spirit of national solidarity.

They emphasized their commitment to serving as “diplomatic soldiers,” deepening international relations and promoting Vietnam’s image abroad, while calling on the State to further improve legal frameworks, create breakthroughs in talent policies, and broaden opportunities for overseas Vietnamese participation in key development sectors.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, General Secretary To Lam sent his best wishes to the conference.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated that Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW clearly defines the position, role, and importance of overseas Vietnamese communities, recognizing them as an inseparable component of the Vietnamese nation.

The Prime Minister stressed that the resolution has established a solid legal foundation to protect the rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese, promote diplomatic relations with host countries, and enable them to contribute more actively to Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development.

Achievements and remaining challenges

Reflecting on two decades of implementation, PM Chinh affirmed that the resolution has helped build a larger, stronger, and more dynamic overseas Vietnamese community  -  growing both “in quantity and quality.”

It has marked a breakthrough in mobilizing intellectual and financial resources, shifting focus from humanitarian support to national development investment, and inspiring overseas Vietnamese to uphold their national pride and contribute directly to the homeland.

However, the Prime Minister also acknowledged existing limitations, including inconsistent awareness among some agencies, gaps in legal frameworks, and limited resources.

He noted that certain overseas Vietnamese still face legal challenges abroad, while some organizations operate in a symbolic manner, failing to engage younger generations effectively.

Building a proactive, united global community

Looking ahead, PM Chinh outlined three key breakthroughs for overseas Vietnamese affairs:

First, strengthening national solidarity at home and abroad while protecting the rights and interests of overseas citizens.

Second, developing overseas Vietnamese communities to grow rapidly in number and in quality.

Third, enhancing mechanisms and policies to unlock and mobilize all available resources for national development in the new era.

He called for stronger leadership from the Party and greater coordination across all levels of government, urging improvements in institutions, laws, and policies that allow overseas Vietnamese to participate more deeply in Vietnam’s political, economic, and social life.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to build a comprehensive database on overseas Vietnamese, expand professional networks in science, business, culture, language, and law, and leverage new technologies to connect the global Vietnamese community with their homeland.

He also directed agencies to strengthen citizen protection efforts, particularly in conflict zones and disaster-affected regions, while continuing to combat illegal activities and safeguard national security.

“The State creates, the community leads”

Concluding the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the principle: “The State creates, the community leads; at home and abroad, we walk together - building a prosperous, respected, and happy Vietnam.”

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh, he reminded: “The Fatherland and the Government always remember our compatriots abroad, just as parents miss their children far away.”

The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that, under the leadership of the Party and with the unity of all Vietnamese people, both at home and abroad, the nation will continue to move forward  -  peaceful, stable, integrated, strong, prosperous, and happy.

“Wherever they live,” he said, “Vietnamese people will always be confident, self-reliant, resilient, and proud  -  true ambassadors of the nation in this new era.”

TTXVN