President praises OVs’ valuable contributions to homeland

The State leader made the statement while attending the Homeland Spring programme 2022, which was held at the Hanoi Opera House on January 22, by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He briefed the participants on the country’s notable achievements in realising the dual goals of flexibly adapting to the pandemic, while maintaining the socio-economic situation.

He noted with pleasure, that despite many challenges, Vietnam still recorded a GDP growth of 2.58 percent in 2021, with total export revenue surging over 22 percent, to 668.5 billion USD.

Last year, total foreign direct investment (FDI) pledged to Vietnam, was estimated at 31.5 billion USD, up 9.2% from the previous year, he added.

Vietnam has carried out the largest ever free vaccination drive, making it among one of the six countries with the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage, in the world.

Stressing that the work of overseas Vietnamese always receives special attention from the Party and State, the leader spoke highly of their work last year.

Entering new year 2022, when opportunities will come together with challenges, he expressed his hope that overseas Vietnamese will maintain the spirit of Vietnam, promote optimism and their solidarity throughout any circumstances.

He took this occasion to extend his sincere greetings and wishes for a happy new year, to the delegates and Overseas Vietnamese, who are living, working and studying abroad.

According to Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, achievements recorded in Vietnam’s foreign activities, including the work of overseas Vietnamese, made important and practical contributions to the national construction and defence.

Contributions made by the Vietnamese expats, particularly in the fight against COVID-19, is a vivid illustration of the patriotism and mutual support of the Vietnamese people, he stressed.

* On the same day, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Battambang province, Cambodia hosted a lunar New Year gathering, with the participation of representatives from Vietnamese agencies, business and OVs communities, in seven northwest localities in Cambodia.

The Vietnamese Consulate General, in coordination with the Viettel Cambodia company (Metfone), a subsidiary of Vietnam's military-run industry and telecoms group Viettel, presented 150 gifts to families of disadvantaged OVs in Battambang province, to help them celebrate a happy and warm lunar New Year festival.