Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc: 'Overseas Vietnamese are a resource to help the country develop'

According to the Prime Minister, Vietnam's development potential does not lie solely within the S-shaped strip of land, more than 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese are an important resource contributing to the overall development of the country.

Speaking to 500 overseas Vietnamese at the Conference of Overseas Vietnamese around the world on the afternoon of November 12, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he was deeply moved and warmed when standing before overseas Vietnamese. Although they are far from their homeland, the national bloodline still flows in overseas Vietnamese, and their hearts always turn towards their homeland.

"That sentiment is extremely precious and valuable. The presence of overseas Vietnamese at this conference affirms a very sacred thing that the country's development potential does not lie solely within the S-shaped strip of land. Wherever there are Vietnamese people, there is Vietnam," the Prime Minister said, sending his warm regards to overseas Vietnamese around the world as well as those attending the conference.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks to 500 overseas Vietnamese from 5 continents. Photo: Trung Son

The Head of Government assessed that the presentations showed the concern and enthusiasm of overseas Vietnamese. There were many new and creative recommendations demonstrating responsibility such as flood risk management, piloting startups, strategic issues, innovation, science and technology, investment incentives, etc.

"Last night, I read some of the presentations and was truly moved and acknowledged all of your enthusiasm and intelligence, contributing practical ideas to the issues that the country and Ho Chi Minh City are struggling with day and night," the Prime Minister said, expressing his emotion when listening to the startup stories of overseas Vietnamese. Behind the stories of returning to their homeland are also deep feelings, contributing to making their homeland more beautiful and civilized.

"Like the story of Dr. Nguyen Van My, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Abroad, despite being over 60 years old, he still returned to Vietnam to start a business again. I know that behind that idea of ​​starting a business is a deep love for his homeland, country, and people," he said.

According to the Prime Minister, successful overseas Vietnamese not only contribute resources and knowledge but also bring Vietnamese brands around the world. More than 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese are an important resource contributing to the overall development of the country.

Citing the story of female professor Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde, a Vietnamese American who made an effort to learn Vietnamese on her own and gave a speech entirely in Vietnamese, the Prime Minister said it was a vivid story about preserving Vietnamese culture and identity.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits and exchanges with overseas Vietnamese. Photo: Trung Son

Preserving Vietnamese culture must start with the spoken and written language. Many overseas Vietnamese are good examples in preserving national identity. "Investment and remittances are important, but preserving Vietnamese culture and identity is even more important. Each overseas Vietnamese is also a Vietnamese ambassador in the eyes of international friends," the Prime Minister emphasized.

In front of the overseas Vietnamese community around the world, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Government is determined to innovate itself, build a creative, honest and action-oriented Government; focus on perfecting institutions, removing all barriers, and serving the people and businesses well. At the same time, step up the implementation of specific and practical action programs, creating favorable conditions to promote the resources of overseas Vietnamese, contributing to the overall development of the country.

"Each of our overseas Vietnamese, no matter their living circumstances, or perhaps their own different thoughts about the country, I believe that in their minds, they all have a warm heart of love for their homeland and country - where 'each person has only one'," the Prime Minister said.

For the first time, 500 overseas Vietnamese, including experts, businessmen, social activists, etc., were present in Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the Conference of Overseas Vietnamese around the world to contribute ideas for economic, scientific and human resource development for the city. Taking place from November 11 to 13, the Conference organized 4 topics focusing on discussing and contributing ideas to develop Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general.

According to VNE