At the Fourth Global Vietnamese Conference, participants highlighted the need for policies that facilitate citizenship, ID card applications, and expatriate investments.
On August 22, the 4th Global Conference of Overseas Vietnamese and the Forum for Vietnamese Intellectuals and Experts Abroad opened in Hanoi.
The event saw the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders from ministries, localities, and 400 representatives from over 40 countries and territories.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits an exhibition on the contributions of overseas Vietnamese.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highlighted the success of previous conferences in fostering strategic discussions between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland on national development and protection. He described the event as a modern "Dien Hong Conference" for the Vietnamese diaspora.
The Minister noted that valuable recommendations from overseas Vietnamese have shaped policies in areas such as identity cards, land, housing, and real estate, making it easier for overseas Vietnamese to engage with their homeland.
The global Vietnamese community has grown significantly, with over 6 million people now residing in 130 countries and territories, up from 4.5 million in 2016.
Approximately 10% hold university degrees or higher, forming a network of associations that connect Vietnamese both domestically and internationally.
Over the past 30 years, remittances to Vietnam exceeded $200 billion, equivalent to the disbursed foreign direct investment over the same period.
By the end of 2023, overseas Vietnamese had invested in 421 foreign direct investment projects in Vietnam, totaling $1.72 billion.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son delivers opening remarks at the Fourth Global Vietnamese Conference.
Hoang Dinh Thang, a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, proposed groundbreaking measures to enable overseas Vietnamese to regain Vietnamese citizenship while retaining their foreign citizenship. He also suggested formalizing citizenship for children of mixed Vietnamese descent.
"Many overseas Vietnamese renounced their Vietnamese citizenship to acquire foreign citizenship but now wish to regain it while retaining their foreign nationality," he said.
Thang called for simplified procedures, citing significant legal and procedural obstacles that have prevented many from successfully obtaining dual citizenship.
He also recommended granting overseas Vietnamese the right to vote and stand for election in Vietnam’s National Assembly and allowing overseas Vietnamese organizations to join domestic political and social organizations.
Jonathan Hanh Nguyen, a prominent overseas Vietnamese businessman from the Philippines, recounted his early efforts to foster investment in Vietnam, including establishing the Ho Chi Minh City–Manila flight route shortly after the country’s reunification.
Hoang Dinh Thang, President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, advocates for dual citizenship policies.
Nguyen emphasized that the current environment is ideal for overseas Vietnamese to invest and work in Vietnam. He urged the government to create a strategy to attract overseas Vietnamese youth for internships, startups, and community projects to strengthen their connection with their roots and bring new ideas to the country.
"There has been a noticeable return of young overseas Vietnamese to Vietnam, including those born abroad. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, nearly 100 startups and several venture capital funds are run by young overseas Vietnamese," he noted.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh poses with participants of the Fourth Global Vietnamese Conference.
Nguyen also suggested implementing a sandbox mechanism to pilot new technologies and business models without requiring extensive licensing.
He highlighted cases where innovative Vietnamese expatriates faced challenges in bringing their technologies to Vietnam due to outdated regulations.
To support young overseas Vietnamese settling in Vietnam, Nguyen advocated for streamlined processes for obtaining Vietnamese citizenship while retaining foreign nationality and acquiring identity cards.
Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of Imex Pan Pacific Group, calls for supportive policies for expatriate entrepreneurs.
Vietnam has made significant strides in digital transformation but should establish "technology clusters" in major cities and key economic regions with modern digital infrastructure. These hubs would enable interaction, knowledge sharing, and collaborative research among businesses and tech startups.
"We need special mechanisms to promote technology incubators and venture capital investments. These are key components of an innovation ecosystem that facilitates the creation and commercialization of new technologies," Nguyen concluded.
Vietnamnet.vn
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