The Vietnamese community in Thailand gathered to welcome Lunar New Year (Tet) at a ceremony held in Nakhon Phanon province, Thailand on Jan. 22.

The ceremony was attended by more than 1,500 overseas Vietnamese, representing nearly 20 Vietnamese associations in Thailand.

Addressing the function, Nakhon Phanom provincial mayor Ruangsak Mahawitchaimontri highlighted the importance of the Thailand-Vietnam relations and the role of the Vietnamese community in the country.

Vietnamese ambassador Ngo Duc Thang informed OVs and Thai friends of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in 2010 as well as the results of the 11th National Party Congress.

He also praised Vietnamese community’s efforts to live in harmony with local people.

The same day, the Overseas Vietnamese Association and the Vietnamese Students Association in Hannover city and neighbouring regions, Germany, hosted a Tet welcoming ceremony, attracting 200 Vietnamese people and German friends.

Deputy Mayor of Hannover city, Bernd Strauch spoke highly of the integration of Vietnamese people in the city’s development.

On the occasion, First Secretary of Vietnamese Embassy in Germany Nguyen Anh Tuan presented a certificate of merit to the Vietnamese Association in Hannover and neighbouring regions for their contributions to community movement as well as to celebrations of the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic ties in 2010.

The Vietnamese Embassies in Canada and India also hosted get togethers for overseas Vietnamese to celebrate the success of the 11th National Party Congress and welcome Tet holidays./.