Vietnamese roots always exist in the hearts of every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are on this earth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting with overseas Vietnamese celebrating the 2022 Spring Homeland Festival

Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai; Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Minister, Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son; representatives of central ministries, departments and branches; especially more than 50 overseas Vietnamese who are intellectuals and businessmen from 23 countries and territories around the world.

At the meeting, overseas Vietnamese expressed their emotions and gratitude for the attention of the Party and State leaders to the overseas Vietnamese community; were happy with the country's great achievements, especially in 2021 when Vietnam safely adapted, effectively controlled the COVID-19 pandemic and recovered and developed the economy; Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena were increasingly affirmed; expressed confidence in the strong development and increasingly bright future of the country in the coming period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets overseas Vietnamese to celebrate Spring in the homeland in 2022

Overseas Vietnamese reported to the Prime Minister on their study, work and living situation in other countries; affirmed their national pride and deep affection for their homeland and country with practical and specific actions. Many delegates made recommendations, proposals and comments to the leaders of the Party, State and ministries on development in areas such as environment, science and technology, urban development, training, attracting high-quality human resources...; at the same time, continue to create better conditions for overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the construction and development of the country...

At the meeting, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister sent his warmest regards, warmest greetings and best wishes for the New Year to the people present at this meeting in particular and to the children of the homeland of Vietnam living, working and studying abroad in general.

Speaking to overseas Vietnamese, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that he had lived, studied and worked abroad, far from his homeland, so he understood the feelings of Vietnamese people when Tet comes and spring comes. The call of the homeland, the call of parents, the call of memories, of simple meals, of the sound of cicadas, of crickets, of village roads, street corners, beloved houses, of hardships and difficulties during the war, when the country was still poor, of contributions and dedication to the homeland... guide us back to our homeland. Those are memories that live forever and are passed down from generation to generation of our compatriots living, studying and working far from our homeland. "The origin of Vietnam is always present in the hearts of every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are on this earth, "Each person has only one homeland - Just like only one mother", the Prime Minister was moved.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets overseas Vietnamese to celebrate Spring in the homeland in 2022

The Head of Government shared that the COVID-19 pandemic, over the past two years, has been likened to a human disaster that has seriously affected all aspects of economic and social life. In those extremely difficult times, the spirit and tradition of solidarity, resilience, overcoming difficulties, and enduring hardships of the Vietnamese people have shone even brighter to overcome the adversity of the pandemic. Many people have probably not been able to return to their homeland for several years. Many people have not been able to see their loved ones for the last time due to the anti-epidemic regulations of other countries and Vietnam over the past two years. The Prime Minister understands the immeasurable gaps, losses, and shortages that cannot be compensated for by many people present today and our compatriots who are far from home all over the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced that in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to develop complicatedly with new, more dangerous variants spreading faster in countries around the world, as well as in Vietnam. Overcoming the rapids, the country has achieved many important results.
We have successfully organized the 13th National Party Congress; elected deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term; completed leadership positions in the State apparatus... At the same time, we have resolutely implemented tasks and solutions to both effectively prevent and combat the COVID-19 pandemic and restore and develop the economy and society, achieving quite comprehensive results in all fields.

The epidemic has been basically controlled nationwide; from a country with a very low vaccination rate to one of the six countries with the highest vaccination coverage rate in the world. The macro economy continues to be maintained stable; major balances are ensured. Production and business activities have gradually recovered.

Vietnam's economy has gradually improved, with GDP in the fourth quarter of 2021 estimated to increase by 5.22% over the same period, bringing the whole year's GDP up by 2.58%. Total import and export turnover of goods still increased by 22.6%, reaching 668.5 billion USD, the highest ever, making Vietnam one of the 20 countries with the largest trade scale in the world; trade surplus is estimated at 4 billion USD. Foreign investment attraction has a high growth rate, up 9.2%, demonstrating confidence in the business investment environment, the expectations of foreign investors on Vietnam's economic recovery ability. In addition, Vietnam strongly promotes the development of green economy, digital economy and solves strategic, global and national issues.

Social security work, support for people, workers and employers affected by the epidemic have been actively and effectively implemented. The cultural, social and environmental fields have achieved many important results. The political situation, social order and safety have been ensured; national defense and security have been maintained; foreign affairs and international integration activities have become increasingly extensive and effective; our country's international position and prestige have been constantly enhanced.

Notably, in the face of the complicated developments of the pandemic in the world, the Party and State have always paid attention to and encouraged countries to create favorable conditions for people to live and prevent and fight the COVID-19 epidemic; organized many rescue flights and commercial flights to bring more than 200,000 people home over the past two years.

The Prime Minister affirmed that these important achievements of the country were thanks to the timely and effective leadership and direction of the Party and State; the drastic participation of the entire political system; the solidarity, consensus and support of the people, the active participation of the business community and our compatriots, including the great, effective, timely and emotional and responsible contributions to the homeland of more than 5.3 million overseas Vietnamese.

Expressing gratitude to overseas Vietnamese, the Prime Minister pointed out that despite facing many difficulties in the host country, the overseas Vietnamese community always stands side by side with compatriots in the country, supporting the prevention and fight against the epidemic in many forms. The great contribution of the overseas Vietnamese community is not only reflected in the donation of up to 80 billion VND and thousands of ventilators, tens of thousands of doses of vaccines and many other medical equipment, but also in the contribution of knowledge and experience demonstrated through initiatives and advice to the Government to both prevent and fight the epidemic and effectively recover and develop the socio-economy. In particular, some of our compatriots abroad have put aside their work and life abroad to return to Vietnam, volunteering to join the front line against the epidemic and doing many other meaningful things.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that 2022 is an important year, creating a foundation for implementing the goals of the 5-year Plan 2021 - 2025. The international and domestic situation is forecast to have advantages and opportunities, but more difficulties and challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic may become more complicated and dangerous with the emergence of new variants, decreasing resources of the State, businesses and people; increasing inflation risks; non-traditional security issues, natural disasters, and climate change are always potential risks.

To continue the achievements in 2021 and strive to achieve the highest goals set for 2022, we need to promote the combined strength of the whole country and the strength of national solidarity, in which the contributions, sharing and active participation of overseas Vietnamese are important resources. The Government will have solutions to realize the goal of "a closer way home" to build the country to develop more and more. This is very meaningful in the context of the pandemic still developing complicatedly.

The Party and the State believe in and highly appreciate the spirit of solidarity, sharing, efforts to overcome difficulties, proactiveness, creativity, and active promotion of the image and beauty of the culture, traditions of the country and the Vietnamese people by the overseas Vietnamese community to make "the way home closer" and Vietnam more beautiful. Generation after generation, together turn towards the homeland, the Fatherland and the people.

The Prime Minister emphasized that “the way home is closer” when people have a better life and more abundant material conditions in the host country. Therefore, the Government and the Prime Minister resolutely direct ministries, branches and agencies to continue to propose comprehensive solutions to care for and support people, especially in difficult areas, creating favorable conditions for people to have a solid legal status, stabilize their lives and integrate into the society of the host country.

The Government continues to improve the effectiveness of citizen protection, labor and student management, encourage agencies and associations to organize Vietnamese language teaching abroad, strengthen connections between Vietnamese individuals and organizations abroad and in the country to contribute to national development and fulfill responsibilities to the international community.

The Party and the State will continue to improve and develop policies to mobilize resources, listen, and create a favorable environment for overseas Vietnamese to contribute their intelligence, attract brainpower, and aspire to develop a strong and prosperous country. In the immediate future, the Government will continue to work with other countries to soon reopen more commercial flights to facilitate the return of compatriots to their homeland; continue to request airlines to expand flights to many places in the world, to many localities of other countries to make travel easier.

Regarding the opinions and recommendations of the people, the Government will pay attention, consider and resolve or report to competent authorities for consideration if beyond authority.

On this occasion, with the spirit that overseas Vietnamese are “an inseparable part of the Vietnamese ethnic community”, the Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, branches and agencies to continue to seriously and effectively implement Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW and Conclusion No. 12-KL/TW of the Politburo, Directive No. 45-CT/TW of the Central Executive Committee and Resolution 169/NQ-CP of the Government, and continue to comprehensively and strongly implement the work of overseas Vietnamese. Thereby, promoting the great resources and patriotism of our compatriots abroad towards their homeland and country; awareness and action are correct, in accordance with national interests; at the same time, more clearly demonstrating the sentiments and responsibilities of the Party and State in caring for the overseas Vietnamese community.

Within the scope of responsibility and authority of the Government and the Prime Minister, we will continue to provide specific solutions and action programs to make the "way home closer" in the hearts of every overseas Vietnamese always turn towards and aspire to build a strong and prosperous homeland and country, Vietnam, and make people's lives increasingly prosperous and happy.

In the joyful and exciting atmosphere before the New Year of the Tiger, on behalf of the Party and State leaders and myself, the Prime Minister wishes overseas Vietnamese a spring of reunion and warmth with their families, and a new year of good health, happiness and success.

According to VNA