General Secretary, President and overseas Vietnamese release carp at Hoan Kiem Lake

General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife perform the carp release ceremony at Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The ritual is performed according to Vietnamese tradition, on the occasion of the Kitchen Gods' Festival (December 23 every year), praying for national peace and prosperity, and for the people to be warm, well-off, and happy.

Also attending were Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh; Politburo member, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai; Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chief of the Central Office Nguyen Van Nen; along with many leaders of departments, ministries, branches, central agencies and Hanoi city and a large number of overseas Vietnamese returning home to celebrate Tet.

The General Secretary and President warmly talked and asked about the lives, work and business of overseas Vietnamese. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

After performing the carp releasing ceremony, the General Secretary and President had a friendly chat and asked about the lives, work and business of overseas Vietnamese; encouraged them to always unite, strive to overcome difficulties, integrate into the local society, while preserving the national cultural identity, always looking towards their homeland and country.

On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong sends to all overseas Vietnamese and their families his best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Previously, the overseas Vietnamese delegation attending the 2019 Homeland Spring Program offered incense at the Ly Thai To monument; King Le monument; and Ngoc Son temple.

The General Secretary, President and his wife and delegates offer incense at Ngoc Son Temple. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

According to the program, in the evening of the same day, at the National Convention Center, the General Secretary and President will extend New Year greetings to overseas Vietnamese, beat the drum to open the spring festival and an art exchange program, with the participation of many famous domestic and foreign artists.

The Vietnamese community abroad currently has more than 4 million people, living, working and studying in more than 100 countries and territories. They always have deep affection and have many practical activities towards their homeland and country, especially during the traditional holidays and Tet of the nation.