Hanoi conference seeks to unlock overseas Vietnamese’s resources for development

In his opening remarks on August 22, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said after the third conference in 2016, instability, insecurity, and uncertainties globally have had a strong and profound impact on Vietnamese expatriates’ lives. In addition, the development of the knowledge economy and the fourth industrial revolution has created new requirements for overseas Vietnamese affairs.

In that context, Son said Vietnamese people overseas have united and provided mutual assistance to overcome difficulties, live stably and integrate into their host societies.  

Currently, more than six million Vietnamese people are living, working and studying in more than 130 countries and territories worldwide.

Some people of Vietnamese origin have been deeply involved in the local political system at all levels. Many Vietnamese businesspeople are on the world list of billionaires. Many overseas experts, intellectuals, and artists have been honoured at international awards, contributing to elevating Vietnam’s position globally.

At the same time, overseas Vietnamese work as the bridge, contributing positively to promoting multi-faceted cooperative relations between their host countries and the homeland.

In particular, they turn their hearts to the homeland, becoming an important resource in building and developing the fatherland. By the end of 2023, they had invested in 421 foreign direct investment projects with a total registered capital of US$1.72 billion.

Over the past 30 years, they have remitted more than US$200 billion to the fatherland, equivalent to the disbursement of foreign direct investment in the same period.

With special attention given by the Party and State as well as active and proactive engagement of the entire political system, overseas Vietnamese affairs have reaped important and comprehensive gains in all spheres, making an important contribution to the cause of national construction, defense and development, said the Foreign Minister.

According to the minister, Vietnam is making efforts to implement the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress to develop the country into a high middle income economy by 2030 and a high income economy by 2045, and the goal cannot be achieved without overseas Vietnamese’s contributions.

Within the fourth conference this year, a forum of Vietnamese intellectuals and experts abroad is to be held for the first time. The forum is expected to give overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals the chance to discuss development trends in the world and the region, put forward initiatives on green and sustainable development, and expand the innovation network. Notably, there will be a panel discussion dwelling growing trends on semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Son expected that the conference and the forum would help consolidate overseas Vietnamese’s solidarity, and unlock their resources, potential, and strengths, to realize the aspiration of developing a prosperous and happy Vietnam alongside their compatriots at home.