Hanoi (VNA) – The Homeland Spring 2025 programme, themed “Vietnam Rising in a New Era,” is expected to welcome about 1,000 overseas Vietnamese (OV) from across the globe.

The event promises to be a highlight in the series of activities towards ancestral roots among OVs each Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

ಞ The programme has become an annual event, demonstrating the Party and State's commitment to caring for the Vietnamese community abroad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told the press in Hanoi on January 9.

It not only honours the sentiments of those looking toward their homeland but also highlights the contributions of OVs to the country's development, she continued. Highlights of the event include an incense offering ceremony at Kinh Thien Palace in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the traditional carp release ritual on Kitchen Gods’ worshipping day, presided over by President Luong Cuong and his spouse. These activities are seen as beautiful symbols of the nation's roots and aim to inspire pride and a sense of connection to one’s origins. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend a special art performance at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on the evening of January 19, featuring the presence of a large number of OVs and guests from both home and abroad. In addition to the activities chaired by the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organise events for a group of 100 distinguished OVs, including a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a floral tribute at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs as well as courtesy calls on leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State. Networking events, particularly in Hanoi and several nearby provinces, have been planned, enabling OVs to share their experiences and ideas to support the socio-economic development of regions across the country. These activities not only strengthen the bonds between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland but also vividly demonstrate Vietnam’s consistent policies in respecting traditional values, language, culture, and national identity. 2024 marked two decades since the Politburo issued Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on OV affairs, Hang noted. Currently, over 6 million Vietnamese, including over 600,000 intellectuals and professionals, are living in more than 130 countries and territories. Despite numerous challenges in the past year, the community remained stable, with its role and standing within society further elevated.

The group of OVs continued to make significant contributions to their homeland last year through direct projects, remittances, and engagement in science, technology, and education collaboration, she said. The Deputy FM added that the group donated over 58 billion VND (2.28 million USD) and large quantities of relief supplies to help ease the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Yagi back home. She stated that Vietnam policies concerning OV have been prioritised, underscoring the commitment of the Party and State to this group. According to her, planned activities for them last year included well-established annual events like the Homeland Spring, visiting Truong Sa, and Vietnam summer camp programmes, as well as Vietnamese language teaching courses for overseas teachers. Notably, the 4th World Conference of OVs, combined with a forum for intellectuals and experts, gathered 500 delegates from 42 countries and territories alongside 200 representatives from Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and organisations. More than 70 presentations by OV experts addressed topics such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, supply chains, green and circular economies, culture, and Vietnamese language conservation. In addition, thousands of books and five Vietnamese-language bookcases were presented to Vietnamese communities abroad./.