Dr. Luong Bach Van, head of the campaigning board for the association's establishment, said that ALOV-HCMC aims to become a reliable channel to disseminate information on the Party and the State's policies and laws to overseas Vietnamese and help people living in the country have a better understanding of overseas Vietnamese communities.

In the 2006-2010 period, the association will focus its activities on encouraging overseas intellectuals and entrepreneurs to invest in socio-economic development in Ho Chi Minh City, Dr Van added. It will also complete necessary procedures to join the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

People hailing from Ho Chi Minh City account for 1.8 million among 3 million Vietnamese people residing in more than 90 countries and territories. More than 250,000 households in the city have at least one relative living abroad, accounting for 50 percent of the country's total.