Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son

Nguyen Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, said the National Assembly’s adoption of the amended Nationality Law was the country’s biggest policy-making success last year.

The revised law, which enables overseas Vietnamese to hold dual nationality, has received support and appreciation from the overseas Vietnamese community, Mr Son said.

Relevant agencies have been proactive in implementing a visa exemption scheme for Vietnamese nationals who live abroad, signed by the Prime Minister on September 1, 2007, and have proposed that the government expand the list of overseas Vietnamese eligible to buy and own houses in their native country.

“Our senior leaders always give priority to supporting overseas Vietnamese in their foreign affairs. Representative offices abroad have actively worked with the authorities in foreign countries to protect the legitimate interests of the overseas Vietnamese living there,” Mr Son stressed.

A series of community activities targeting overseas Vietnamese took place last year, both at home and abroad, including the organization of home visits for outstanding individuals, enabling them to participate in Hung Kings’ memorial services and National Day celebrations.

The deputy minister announced a series of activities planned for 2009, including a Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, a programme entitled the Legend of Con Dao, trips home for three generations of overseas Vietnamese, and a festival for young Vietnamese who live abroad.

Regarding the country’s efforts to reach intellectuals of Vietnamese origin, particularly the youth, he said an increasing number of young overseas Vietnamese are keen to contribute to the development of their homeland, citing thousands of Vietnamese intellectuals who have returned home to find work, many of them aged between 30-40.

Overseas Vietnamese businesses have demonstrated their interest in business opportunities in Vietnam, resulting in 3,000 projects worth almost US$2 billion being funded by overseas Vietnamese investors.

In addition, many overseas Vietnamese from younger generations have participated in humanitarian activities to assist their countrymen in coping with the aftermath of natural disasters and epidemics. The official noted that the country should establish a long-term strategy to encourage young overseas Vietnamese to further contribute to Vietnam’s development.

(Source: VOV)