Nguyen Khac Dinh, Chairman of the National Assembly's Law Committee

(VOVworld) – The 2^nd session of the 14^th National Assembly on Tuesday discussed the right of overseas Vietnamese to associate, join foreign associations, and receive foreign donations.

Nguyen Sy Cuong, a National Assembly deputy for Tra Vinh province, said the draft law only mentions association by of Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam. There are many associations of Vietnamese people living abroad which have contributed significantly to Vietnam’s development.  

Other deputies said Vietnam’s policy considers overseas Vietnamese an integral part of the Vietnamese nation. They suggested amending the draft law’s regulations on the location of association offices in Vietnam.

To Van Tam is a deputy of Kon Tum province: “The law does not mention the right of overseas Vietnamese people to establish associations. Although they are working abroad, they are Vietnamese nationals and their right to form associations must be protected. I recommend that the bill specify the right to associate of overseas Vietnamese citizens.”

The deputies discussed regulations on non-aligned associations, joining foreign associations, receiving foreign donations, and special cases defined by the government. Tran Thi Hien, a deputy of Ha Nam province, said: “Associations should have international cooperation, including technical assistance and financing. It’s necessary to clarify what kinds of donation should be limited to prevent people from taking advantage of associations, alliances, memberships, and foreign donations to promote illegal activities.