On the afternoon of 8/2, at the Party Central Committee headquarters, General Secretary To Lam met with a delegation of exemplary overseas Vietnamese attending the Homeland Spring 2026 program, organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Party leader extended greetings to all overseas Vietnamese, "children from afar who always look towards the homeland with deep affection, national pride, and a sense of responsibility towards their country".

The General Secretary stated that 2025 presented many opportunities, but also many challenges. Amidst complex global and regional changes, with the united efforts of the entire Party, people, and army, including the contributions of 6,5 million overseas Vietnamese, the country has steadily overcome many difficulties and challenges to achieve important results across all sectors.

General Secretary To Lam. *Photo: VNA*

Vietnam continues to maintain political and social stability; the economy sustains positive growth; national defense and security are upheld; and international integration in foreign affairs has also achieved many milestones, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position, prestige, and responsibility on the international stage.

2025 also marked a strong transformation in Vietnam's development thinking and actions, clearly demonstrated through institutional reforms, streamlined apparatus, enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of national governance, and the restructuring of development space.

The General Secretary affirmed that never before has the national unity bloc, comprising both domestic and overseas Vietnamese, achieved such strong consensus and consolidation as it has today.

The image of exemplary overseas Vietnamese representatives participating for the first time in the overseas Vietnamese parade on 30/4 at Independence Palace and on the historic Ba Dinh Square on 2/9 is proof of the truth that "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese nation is one", and all Vietnamese are "descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy" (a Vietnamese cultural reference to their mythical origins).

The General Secretary emphasized that the Party and State consistently adhere to the view that "the people are the root, the center, the subject, the goal, the driving force, and the resource for development". Within this, the overseas Vietnamese community is an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation, a particularly important resource for national unity in the new era of development.

"That national spirit and fraternal affection are very profound. The Party and State always cherish, acknowledge, and highly appreciate the sincerity, sentiments, and responsibility of our compatriots towards the homeland", the General Secretary emphasized.

The Party leader expressed his wish that overseas Vietnamese continue to abide by the laws of their host countries, unite to build strong communities; actively preserve and promote Vietnamese culture, fostering a positive image of Vietnam and its people in the eyes of international friends; and continue to act as a bridge to strengthen friendly relations between Vietnam and other nations.

The Party and State always welcome and create favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese experts, intellectuals, scientists, and entrepreneurs to contribute more to the nation's development, especially in key areas during the country's new development phase.

Vietnam will continue to refine policies for overseas Vietnamese, while strengthening international coordination to protect their legitimate rights and interests, helping them live, work, and thrive peacefully in their host countries.

The General Secretary expressed hope that on this occasion, compatriots would spend ample time with family, friends, and relatives, and not only witness but also contribute to the transformation in appearance, spirit, and new developments of the capital, the country, and their hometowns.

General Secretary To Lam met with overseas Vietnamese on the afternoon of 8/2. *Photo: VNA*

The Homeland Spring 2026 program, themed "Aspirations for Vietnam: Peace, Prosperity", took place from 6 to 9/2 in Hanoi and included connections with Ninh Binh.

According to the program, on the evening of the same day, State President Luong Cuong would extend Tet greetings to overseas Vietnamese and beat the ceremonial drum to open spring festivities during the Homeland Spring 2026 art exchange program at the National Convention Center, open to all attending overseas Vietnamese.

Nguyen Phong