Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan said: "On behalf of local authorities, I’d like to thank all Vietnamese expats for their contributions to Vietnam’s national development. I wish you all good health. I hope this meeting will be a bridge connecting 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese with their motherland."

Chung Hoang Chuong, an expat from the US, said: "The New Year expat gathering has become an annual event. I enjoy meeting other overseas Vietnamese and learning about Vietnam’s achievements."

The meeting honored 19 outstanding individuals who have made great contributions to Ho Chi Minh city’s development in the last two years.