President Tran Dai Quang beats the drum to start the event (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event, President Tran Dai Quang highlighted Vietnam’s achievements, saying last year marked a milestone in Vietnam’s diplomacy with the successful hosting of the APEC Year 2017.  “OVs have contributed to strengthening Vietnam’s position and power. They help each other in their life and preserve national cultural identity. There are more and more successful young OVs in education, training, science, technology, economics, culture, and society recognized by the host countries, contributing to glorifying Vietnam.”

President Quang said the OV community is an integral part of the Vietnamese nation and called on them to continue to promote patriotism and make contributions to national development: "The Party and State prioritize policies on OVs and national great unity. Vietnam’s representative offices abroad have worked to protect Vietnamese citizens and their rights and property, and help them preserve and promote Vietnamese traditions and culture, particularly by teaching and learning Vietnamese.”