(VOVworld) – Many localities in Vietnam have organized meetings to welcome overseas Vietnamese back home for Tet. This is an annual activity to show overseas Vietnamese how people in Vietnam feel about them and the nation’s prospects.

A performance during the meeting of overseas Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh city (photo: tuoitre.vn)

Tet celebrations for overseas Vietnamese returning home for the holiday show national unity and the sense of responsibility the Party, State, and local people have towards Vietnamese people living away from home.

Promoting national unity

Ho Chi Minh city held a meeting on Tuesday for 700 overseas Vietnamese returning from 30 countries and territories. The city leaders said it was a warm get-together of Vietnamese expatriates in their homeland. The same day, Dong Nai province organized a meeting for overseas Vietnamese and their relatives. The provincial leaders listened to their constructive ideas for building their native village. Overseas Vietnamese, who are natives of Quang Binh province, went together to offer incense at the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap at Vung Chua – Dao Yen.

The biggest Tet get-together will be in Hanoi on Wednesday. President Truong Tan Sang and 2,000 overseas Vietnamese will offer incense at Tran Quoc pagoda and attend a Gala night at the Thang Long Royal Citadel.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son said: “The “Spring in the Homeland” program will introduce overseas Vietnamese the celebration of Tet in the country and the sentiments of local people. We also aim to remind them of national traditions and customs and strengthen their confidence in future national development.”

In addition to celebrations for the repatriates, the state also cares for Vietnamese people who are unable to return home during Tet. The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt held a get-together on Tuesday for Vietnamese people and students in Cairo, Hurghada, and Sadat city. Last week a performance called “Tet away from home” was staged at Crocus City Hall in Moscow.

Reinforcing confidence of overseas Vietnamese in national development

Tet get-togethers aim not only to demonstrate local people’s sentiments towards overseas Vietnamese but also fairly and precisely inform overseas Vietnamese of local socio-economic and cultural achievements and growth orientations. National achievements have been partly due to contributions by overseas Vietnamese. Tony Truong, a Vietnamese living in Canada, said: “The country has changed significantly in recent years. The government has created incentives for overseas Vietnamese people to do business and live in their homeland. We are delighted. Investing in Vietnam has been made easier.”

Vietnamese people living abroad are an inseparable part of and resource for the nation. Tet celebrations have enhanced their trust in the Party guidelines and State policies.