Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Radio Voice of Vietnam

The recent resolution of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee dealing with overseas Vietnamese is aimed at fully mobilizing the strength of national unity so as to create a robust and solid driving force for national industrialization and modernization.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phu Binh stressed that, while the national renovation process has gained numerous achievements, a separate Party resolution dealing with overseas Vietnamese is of major strategic importance. The resolution reflects the Party and the State's policy of considering the Vietnamese community abroad an integral part and a source of strength of the nation. It establishes a basis for the development of a legal framework, policies and measures to promote activities for overseas Vietnamese.

The resolution also contributes to consolidating great national unity, national construction and defense, while promoting Vietnam's international relations and its prestige in the world.

The resolution demonstrates the Party's standpoint on national unity in the spirit of the 7th Plenum of the 9th National Party Central Committee. It stresses that work relating to overseas Vietnamese should reflect the tradition of great national unity, towards the goal of maintaining national independence and unification, for a prosperous people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic and civilized society. The resolution calls on all Vietnamese nationals, regardless of their race, religion, origin and social status, to realise that goal, for the cause of great national unity.

The resolution is the first dealing with activities relating to overseas Vietnamese to be made public at home and abroad. It highlights the role of the State in the protection of the Vietnamese abroad through diplomatic activities to support and address their needs, and in particular, fostering a stable life and maintaining linkages with their homeland.

In addition, it identifies the responsibilities and obligations of overseas Vietnamese towards their home country. It also sets out drastic measures to strengthen activities regarding overseas Vietnamese in the coming time.

According to Mr Binh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit to the government a program of action to implement this resolution. This would help create a massive change in awareness and action of agencies and localities on overseas Vietnamese issues.

In the immediate future, the Ministry will focus on policies to encourage overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to contribute their knowledge to national development. It will draw up measures to attract overseas Vietnamese in investment and trade and to better satisfy their diverse needs for information and culture. Humanitarian policies and trust-building measures aimed at national reconciliation and concord will also be strengthened.

Mr Binh concluded that the resolution reflects transparent approaches and more open-minded thinking in dealing with all activities relating to overseas Vietnamese, so as to better serve the interests and aspirations of the wider community. It will facilitate the link between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland and between the interests of the community and the nation. It will create more mutual trust between Vietnamese at home and abroad as well as national reconciliation and concord so as to develop a country of independence and strength, and an equitable, democratic and civilized society.