Hanoi (VNA) - The Party and State have always valued and listened to the heartfelt contributions of overseas Vietnamese, particularly intellectuals, experts, and entrepreneurs who possess modern knowledge, international experience, and deep patriotism, representing an important resource contributing to national development and sustainable international integration.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thinh from Technical University Dortmund, Acting President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Germany and Chairman of the Viet–German Innovation Network (VGI), affirmed that the early release of the draft documents demonstrates a spirit of openness, transparency, and democracy in consulting the public. It also reflects the Party’s deep appreciation for the wisdom and contributions of Vietnamese communities worldwide, thereby enhancing the quality and feasibility of development orientations and policies for the coming period.
Speaking about the role of overseas Vietnamese in the great national unity bloc, Dr. Phan Bich Thien, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe, stressed that this community must be regarded as a strategic resource for national integration and development. Sharing the same view, Gary Thanh Nguyen, Chairman of the DMV Business and Patriotism Club (covering Washington, D.C., and two neighbouring US states), expressed confidence that when effectively mobilised, the patriotic overseas Vietnamese community will become a strategic force contributing to the vision of a strong, prosperous, compassionate, and sustainably developing Vietnam, aligned with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress.
To leverage the potential of people-to-people diplomacy, Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet Magazine in Germany, proposed establishing flexible coordination mechanisms between diplomatic missions and overseas Vietnamese associations to effectively implement cultural, educational, economic, and public diplomacy programmes. He suggested developing a network of “People’s Ambassadors” within the global Vietnamese community so that every overseas Vietnamese can serve as a trusted bridge and friendly representative of Vietnam on the international stage, helping strengthen the country’s image of integration, humanity, and innovation.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, proposed introducing mechanisms to recognise and encourage the role of overseas Vietnamese in people-to-people diplomacy, such as inviting them to participate in international forums and conferences or to serve as cultural representatives for Vietnam at multilateral events.
To tap the community’s potential as a strategic global resource, contributors emphasised the need to build platforms that connect Vietnamese experts with one another, as well as with national programs on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Thien proposed recognising global Vietnamese intellectual networks as a crucial driving force for elevating national stature. She suggested developing an ecosystem for connecting overseas Vietnamese in strategic sectors such as science–technology, innovation, digital transformation, environment, health, education, and non-traditional security. She stressed that engagement efforts should shift from simply encouraging overseas Vietnamese to “look toward the homeland” to fostering co-creation, enabling them to accompany Vietnam and generate shared value for the future.
Nam recommended establishing a mechanism for regular coordination between overseas Vietnamese knowledge networks and ministries, sectors, and localities in Vietnam to share experience, provide policy advice, and promote research collaboration and technology transfer.
Many intellectuals and experts also supported policies that encourage overseas Vietnamese investment in their homeland through favourable, supportive mechanisms. These include establishing dedicated funds or special programmes to help overseas Vietnamese invest or pursue innovative startups in Vietnam. Experts also suggested promoting “short-term expert repatriation” programmes to tap global expertise while accommodating the flexible working conditions of international specialists.
Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Loan, General Director of Guangdong Viet-Viet Tourism and Trade Services Co., Ltd., affirmed that enabling overseas Vietnamese to participate more substantively, not only in economic projects but also in policy consultation forums, and in educational, cultural, and social development programmes, will help spread the spirit of unity and shared purpose with the homeland./.
