President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the Spring of the Homeland Program 2022. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The program, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, was attended by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his wife, and many Party and Government leaders.

President Phuc sent his sincere greetings and best New Year wishes to Vietnamese people, including those living, working and studying abroad, saying Overseas Vietnamese affairs always receive special attention from the Party and State through decision making.

The President praised the Vietnamese expat communities for their unity, mutual support, and quick adaptation to the pandemic, which he said have beautified the Vietnamese community’s image. Many intellectuals, especially the successful, young generation of Overseas Vietnamese, have returned home to start businesses and engage in effective cooperation. Overcoming difficulties, overseas Vietnamese have made valuable contributions to the country, the initial success of vaccine diplomacy, and the network of expatriate intellectuals with their useful advices and initiatives. Remittances sent home by Overseas Vietnamese in 2021 continued to increase, totaling nearly 14 billion USD.

As Vietnam enters the new year 2022 with both opportunities and challenges, President Phuc said he hopes that compatriots abroad, in any circumstances, will always uphold the Vietnamese spirit, stay optimistic, strong, flexible, united, and creative, and firmly believe that a new better destiny will definitely arrive in the year of the Tiger.

The art program "Spring of the Homeland" featured traditional dances and songs in praise of the unity tradition of Vietnamese people, as well as the new spring. Last year, this annual program was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.