President Luong Cuong: 'The Vietnamese aspiration' is the soul of the nation.

Also attending were: Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Bui Thi Minh Hoai; Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Hoai Trung; Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son; leaders and former leaders of central committees, ministries, and agencies; and approximately 1,500 exemplary overseas Vietnamese representatives from around the world who returned home to celebrate Tet and enjoy the Spring Festival.

The "Spring in the Homeland" program, jointly organized annually by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hanoi People's Committee, has become an important cultural and political event, attracting special attention from the overseas Vietnamese community worldwide.

The Spring Homeland Program 2026 took place from February 6-9 (corresponding to the 19th to 22nd day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), with the participation of approximately 1,500 exemplary overseas Vietnamese from around the world. This contributed to spreading the message of national unity, in which the overseas Vietnamese community is an inseparable part, always accompanying the Fatherland; at the same time, it continued to clearly demonstrate the affection and responsibility of the Party and State in caring for the overseas Vietnamese community, promoting patriotism, returning to their roots, encouraging overseas Vietnamese to preserve the cultural identity, traditions, and language of the nation; spreading faith and inspiring the aspiration to contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

With the theme "Vietnam's Aspiration: Peace and Prosperity," the 2026 Spring Festival in the homeland reflects the vision and aspirations for the country's development in the new era. "Aspiration" reflects the strong spirit of the Vietnamese people; "Peace" is the core value, the foundation for sustainable development and international integration, spreading from Hanoi – the "City for Peace"; and "Prosperity" represents the goal of building a rapidly developing, sustainable, and prosperous Vietnam, where all citizens – including the Vietnamese community abroad – are given the opportunity to develop their abilities, intellect, and aspirations to contribute.

The event also serves as an opportunity to honor the great contributions of overseas Vietnamese, while encouraging them to strive to build their homeland and contribute to the nation's new era of development.

In his New Year's address to overseas Vietnamese and his drum-beating ceremony marking the start of the new year, the President conveyed his warmest regards, heartfelt greetings, and best wishes for a happy new year to all Vietnamese people at home and abroad, as well as to all distinguished guests present today.

The President stated that in the year of the Snake (2025), our country has traversed a path marked by many important and significant events, achieving many proud accomplishments such as the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the 135th anniversary of the birth of the great President Ho Chi Minh; the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd; the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country; and at the same time, 2025 also marks the process of streamlining the administrative apparatus, restructuring the development space, creating momentum for strong breakthroughs to realize the two 100-year development goals of the country.

The President emphasized that in important national events, the presence, contributions, and companionship of our compatriots abroad are always felt. The image of the Vietnamese diaspora participating for the first time in the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, is a vivid testament to the spirit of national unity and harmony. Vietnamese people, whether at home or abroad, are all "descendants of Lac and Hong," blood relatives and an inseparable part of the Vietnamese national community.

Stating that 2025 will also be a year in which our country will have to bear the heavy impact and consequences of natural disasters, as well as the effects of complex international and regional situations, the President emphasized that it is precisely in these circumstances that the resilience, intelligence, will, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people will once again be affirmed and strongly rekindled.

Under the leadership of the Party, with the efforts and determination of the entire people and army, our country has overcome difficulties and achieved many important, comprehensive, and breakthrough results: Independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and a peaceful environment have been maintained; the economy has maintained the highest growth rate in the region and is among the world's leading countries, becoming a high-middle-income country; rising to the top 32 largest economies in the world and the top 15 trading nations; national defense and security have been maintained and strengthened; political and social stability has been ensured; people's lives have improved; social welfare policies have been given attention and implemented extensively, especially the movements to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, the resolute implementation of the "Quang Trung campaign" to rapidly rebuild homes for people in disaster-stricken areas, and the commencement of construction of secondary schools in border regions…

Furthermore, according to the President, foreign relations have been strengthened and continue to be a bright spot, enhancing Vietnam's international standing and prestige. Abroad, the Vietnamese community continues to serve as a bridge of friendship, cooperation, and development between Vietnam and its people and other countries; increasingly integrating deeply; affirming its role and prestige in host countries and continuing to contribute valuable resources to the country. Especially during difficult times, our compatriots across the globe have turned their attention to their homeland, strongly promoting the spirit of mutual support and sharing, providing timely assistance to their compatriots in areas facing difficulties and damage from storms and floods.

On behalf of the State of Vietnam and the entire nation, the President acknowledges, highly appreciates, and cherishes the sentiments, responsibilities, and noble deeds of our compatriots towards their homeland, country, and fellow citizens.

Stating that the development and survival of the Vietnamese nation depend on many factors, one of which is a very important one: an unceasing flow of aspiration, the President affirmed that "Vietnamese aspiration" is the soul of the nation, the great spiritual driving force that has enabled our country to overcome all obstacles and stand firm and grow strong as it is today.

The President emphasized that, entering 2026 – the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party – our country is confidently stepping into a new era of development. The entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army are determined to successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the National Development Strategy to 2030, and the Vietnamese Aspiration, embodied in: Peace and Prosperity. Peace for rapid and sustainable national development; Prosperity for an increasingly comfortable and happy life for the people.

Recalling the beloved President Ho Chi Minh's teachings: "Unity, unity, great unity - Success, success, great success," the President affirmed that great opportunities, great aspirations, and great responsibilities rest upon the shoulders of every Vietnamese person, whether at home or abroad. The decisive strength to realize Vietnam's aspirations lies in the unity and spirit of great solidarity of the Vietnamese nation.

With that spirit, the President calls on all our compatriots at home and abroad to continue to consolidate and promote the strength of national unity, working together with one heart and mind, contributing their intellect, resources, and dedication to the cause of building and protecting our beloved Vietnam; every contribution, whether large or small, is a precious brick in building a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam.

The special Spring Homeland Art Program 2026, themed “Vietnamese Aspirations - Peace and Prosperity,” is divided into three chapters: “The Returning Swallows,” “Hanoi - Faith and Hope,” and “Vietnamese Aspirations: Peace and Prosperity.” It is an emotional journey of Vietnamese people who have traveled far and returned to their roots, memories of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and national identity.

This is a spiritual reunion, where the past, present, and future intertwine, where every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are in the world, finds a Vietnam in their heart.

It is also the moment when feet touch the motherland, where the present unfolds in the warmth of togetherness and under the peaceful sky of their homeland. Those who have left their homeland not only rediscover spring for themselves, but also recognize their shared responsibility to the nation, immersing themselves in the moving present, welcomed by their homeland with peace, faith, and an invitation to join hands in building the future.

And then, from the flow of history, from the difficult springs that have passed, today, Vietnam enters a new era. On the world map, the S-shaped country is rising strongly with the aspiration for rapid and sustainable development, with a spirit of innovation, creativity, deep integration, and building a prosperous and happy future.

And when Vietnamese people, both overseas and at home, join hands, entrusting their faith, wisdom, and dedication to the nation's future journey, so that with each passing spring, Vietnamese people, wherever they may be, can proudly affirm: "I am Vietnamese."

The program, featuring famous songs such as "Our Village's Rice Grain," "Winter Coat," "Vietnamese Birds," "Continuing the Story of Peace," "Hanoi - Faith and Hope," "Shining Prosperous Vietnam," and "Vietnam in My Heart," highlights love for the homeland, national pride, and the aspiration to build the country, expressing belief in Vietnam's bright future, as well as profound emotions about the nation's culture and history.