VOVNews: Could you talk about the Vietnamese community in the US?

Mr Tran Tuan Anh: More than 3 million Vietnamese people are residing in over 100 countries around the world. About 50 percent of them are living in the US - the highest figure in terms of Vietnamese people living abroad. Most Overseas Vietnamese in the US work for companies, some of them run small-and-medium-sized businesses, while a number of intellectuals are employed by some key industries in the US, such as information, telecommunications and biology.

Overseas Vietnamese people in the US have great potential. The contingent of intellectuals are well-trained, and provided with quick access to modern and advanced science and technology. Many of them have professional management skills in macro-economy. They are able to create, provide consultancy and develop relations with scientific and economic establishments in their country of residence. At present, young Vietnamese-American people’s positions are recognized in the political life of the US. They represent the Vietnamese community and help the community further develop in the US – a country which has a multi-ethnic culture.

Overseas Vietnamese in the US are making strong impacts on the US, as well as strengthening Vietnam-US relations.

VOVNews: With such a large number of Overseas Vietnamese people in the US, do you think that investment in their homeland matches their real potential?

VOVNews: What is the most important thing in further attracting investment from overseas Vietnamese?

Mr Tran Tuan Anh: In the integration process, the State’s policy is that there is no discrimination between foreign and domestic investors. However, discriminatory treatment still exists.

When overseas Vietnamese return to their homeland to do business they are still worried about the investment environment, especially the administrative system. The Government has made great efforts to improve administration reform, but overseas Vietnamese are not yet convinced. In addition, other issues still remain such as visa application, house purchase, land owner rights, tax policy incentives and labour support. These are important issues, which take time to address. The quicker Vietnam resolves the problems, the more investment flows into the country.

VOVNews: In addition to investment, attracting overseas Vietnamese intellectuals is also an important task of the State and Party. Can you tell us about the overseas Vietnamese people’s desire when they return to their homeland to make an intellectual contribution to the country?

Mr Tran Tuan Anh: We held a meeting between overseas Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese Government delegation led by deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem during a recent visit to the US. Overseas Vietnamese people expressed their concerns during the meeting. They said that they did not need any special incentives and just wanted the Government to create favourable conditions for them to invest in the homeland, and particularly to provide current domestic information. They need open and transparent mechanisms and policies.

I think that overseas Vietnamese people’s potential is huge, so Vietnam should devise measures to exploit this potential.

VOVNews: Thank you.