The Overseas Vietnamese Association in Switzerland was set up at a congress in Bern on April 24.

Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Van Nha welcomed the congress, saying that the establishment of the association is a vital development step and meets overseas Vietnamese’s common desire to develop the association into a strong and prosperous community.

He said he hoped the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Switzerland will become a reliable address for all Vietnamese expatriates and a strong bridge connecting the Vietnamese community, embassy and delegation to the UN and people in the homeland.

The association is expected to protect and bring the benefits to the Vietnamese community in Switzerland , assisting Vietnamese people during the integration.

It will create a favourable environment for information exchange among its members and promote cooperation in economics, trade, investment, science-technology, education, tourism and culture services, thus contributing to economic development and the community culture in Switzerland as well as socio-economic development in Vietnam .

Vietnamese representatives from Bern , Zurich , Neuchaten, Basel , Geneva , Lausanne , Luzern and Olten adopted the association’s regulation and operation programme and elected the executive board for the 2010-2012 term./.