Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, has proposed selecting and training influential overseas Vietnamese individuals to help spread the Party’s and State’s policies more effectively while becoming more deeply involved in the Fatherland Front system.

Speaking during the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) on Tuesday afternoon, Thang said the Vietnamese community in Europe has consistently remained connected to the homeland, actively participating in patriotic movements and contributing meaningfully to strengthening national unity.

Thang, who also serves as a Presidium member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe had effectively implemented numerous action programs and campaigns initiated by the VFF over the past 15 years.

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Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, speaks at the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

According to Thang, one of the organization’s most significant achievements has been reinforcing community solidarity while preserving Vietnamese culture and language among younger generations born overseas.

“The community model in the Czech Republic, with dozens of member associations and affiliated branches, has delivered positive results,” Thang said.

“Programs such as Vietnamese Language Honor Day, Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Vietnamese language classes and traditional culture courses for second- and third-generation Vietnamese have helped nurture a strong connection to the homeland among overseas Vietnamese communities.”

He highlighted the recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group in the Czech Republic in 2013 and in Slovakia in 2023 as important milestones reflecting the community’s successful integration and growing reputation in Europe.

Thang also emphasized the role of overseas Vietnamese communities in public diplomacy amid deepening international integration.

According to him, Vietnamese associations in Europe have worked closely with Vietnam’s diplomatic missions to promote the country’s image internationally, contributing to stronger cooperation in investment, trade, education, science, technology and tourism between Vietnam and European countries.

The Vietnamese community in Europe has also played an active role in charity and social welfare activities, supporting people in Vietnam during natural disasters and health crises.

Responding to calls from the Vietnam Fatherland Front, overseas Vietnamese communities in Europe contributed tens of billions of Vietnamese dong during the 2025 storm season.

The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic alone donated VND10.9 billion ($419,000), according to Thang.

In addition, the union and its member associations have supported Vietnamese residents in integrating into local societies, complying with local laws and building an image of a united, responsible and sustainably developing Vietnamese community abroad.

Drawing from practical experience within Vietnamese communities in Europe, Thang proposed that the Vietnam Fatherland Front modernize its engagement methods with overseas Vietnamese by making stronger use of digital platforms to improve interaction and better understand community concerns and aspirations.

He said the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe would continue working closely with the Vietnam Fatherland Front to mobilize the strength of overseas Vietnamese communities toward building “a strong, prosperous and happy Vietnam.”

Thang also urged the Fatherland Front to strengthen its role in supervision, social criticism and policymaking related to overseas Vietnamese affairs.

He called for more favorable policies regarding nationality, investment, repatriation and initiatives to attract overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and entrepreneurs to contribute to the homeland.

“The Vietnam Fatherland Front should focus on building a core force within overseas Vietnamese communities by selecting and training reputable, dedicated and capable individuals who can effectively spread the Party’s and State’s policies while participating more deeply in the Front system,” Thang said.

He also stressed the need for stronger coordination between the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and agencies to create greater synergy and effectiveness in overseas Vietnamese affairs.

In addition, he proposed developing a comprehensive initiative to mobilize overseas Vietnamese resources for the cause of national unity, while introducing mechanisms to recognize and reward overseas Vietnamese individuals and organizations that make meaningful contributions to the country.

Thanh Hue