A special programme will take place at the southern gate of Doan Mon of the Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi on Jan. 28 to welcome Vietnamese expatriates who return home for 2011 Lunar New Year festival.

According to Pham Hai Bang, Head of the Culture-Information Department of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV), the event, entitled “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring), will see the presence of 700-800 overseas Vietnamese together with high-ranking Party and State leaders and representatives of foreign diplomats.

This year’s programme is to celebrate the successful hosting of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 11th National Party Congress. It is also to mark 100 years since Ho Chi Minh left Nha Rong Wharf on board a French ship to seek ways to liberate the country and 60 years since he returned homeland, Bang said.

The programme, jointly held by SCOV under the Foreign Ministry and other related agencies, will start with a incense burning ceremony at the Kinh Thien palace in the royal citadel.

Vietnamese artists at home and abroad will perform at the programme./.