About 1,000 overseas Vietnamese who have returned for lunar New Year celebrations offered incense at the Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi on February 6.

Hanoi Mayor Nguyen The Thao called on overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the homeland.

Many of them are residing in the US, Australia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Thailand and Laos.

At the ceremony, Hanoi Mayor Nguyen The Thao noted that nearly 4 million Vietnamese nationals are currently living, studying and working in 102 countries and territories around the globe. Although they live far from Vietnam, they have always turned their hearts and minds to the motherland, especially during the Tet holiday, he said.

Hanoians welcome and show their strong feelings towards overseas Vietnamese, Mr Thao affirmed, expressing hope that Vietnamese abroad are united and make more contributions to the motherland.

He called on them to pool all resources, including intellect, investment and aid for the homeland, increase mutual assistance and humanitarian programmes and serve as a friendship bridge between Vietnam and other countries in the world.

At 20.00 the same day, the overseas Vietnamese attended a special Tet get-together at Bao Son Paradise Park in Hanoi, which was broadcast live by Vietnam Television and VTC Multimedia Corporation.

Participants were treated to a special art programme and traditional Tet dishes.

VietNamNet/VOV