In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Isenschmid said that aside from policies and resolutions, the creation of forums and channels through which OVs can contribute opinions to national development reflects the Party and State's consistent viewpoint that the OV community form an inseparable part of the great national solidarity bloc.

In recent years, the Party and State have expanded mechanisms for gathering OVs' input on major resolutions, draft documents for the Party Congress, and key socio-economic development policies. These have been complemented by meetings between high-ranking leaders and Vietnamese expatriates, conferences and forums for OVs, along with the reception of feedback through domestic and international media.

For its part, the SVEF has clearly defined its role as a bridge for Government-to-Government (G2G), Government-to-Business (G2B), and Business-to-Business (B2B) cooperation. Through its activities, the forum has not only helped connect the intellectual, experience, and financial resources of OVs with the homeland, but also introduce Vietnam’s image to OVs around the world and international friends.

According to Isenschmid, this demonstrates the Party and State’s open-minded, constructive, and consistent policy of valuing the contributions by OVs as an important resource for sustainable national development in the context of deep international integration.

She said the response from OVs is highly positive and increasingly dynamic. As a forum representing OVs, the SVEF recognises that the community wish to contribute more deeply and effectively to the homeland’s development.

Their contributions span many fields, from policy consultation and experience-sharing in economics, finance, science – technology, and innovation to investment, market linkage and the promotion of international cooperation. OVs, she said, have continued to affirm their important role in national development across multiple sectors.

The SVEF has also observed that many expatriates – including those who left Vietnam decades ago – are showing renewed interest in returning to invest, start businesses, or expand operations in the country.

However, she stressed, a clear understanding of Vietnam’s policies, legal framework, and investment environment is essential to turn interest into action. This makes the role of organisations such as the SVEF increasingly important in providing accurate and up-to-date information, connecting OVs with domestic authorities, localities and enterprises, and helping build their confidence in making long-term investment and cooperation decisions.

Isenschmid herself has taken part in several events organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Homeland Spring programme and the World Conference of OVs. She noted that at these events, expatriates were warmly welcomed, their views were heard, and they were encouraged to share ideas, vision, and experience in supporting Vietnam’s development.

The SVEF Secretary-General expressed her belief that the vast majority of OVs continue to cherish their love for the homeland and be confident in its future, adding they feel that they have only one homeland to which they belong, and share a common aspiration to contribute to a more developed, integrated, and prosperous Vietnam.

Draft documents for 14th Party Congress highlight OVs as bridge in bilateral ties

Vice Chairwoman of the Japanese Vietnamese Association and Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai Le Thuong has stressed the role of the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community as a crucial bridge promoting bilateral cooperation while giving feedback on the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress.