On the evening of February 2nd, the "Spring in the Homeland" 2024 art exchange program, themed "Ho Chi Minh City - Continuing the Glorious Epic," organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports , took place at the Reunification Hall, Independence Palace, in a vibrant atmosphere and with spectacular staging.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, affirmed: In 2024, facing many opportunities but also numerous challenges, above all remains the aspiration for peace and development of the people of the world, including the Vietnamese nation.
Continuing the program, President Vo Van Thuong expressed his emotion and joy at meeting Vietnamese people from all over the world who have returned to their homeland, Vietnam, to celebrate the arrival of the new year, the Year of the Dragon 2024.
On behalf of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front leaders, and with personal affection, President Vo Van Thuong sends his warmest greetings, heartfelt sentiments, and best wishes for the New Year to all guests, the beloved sons and daughters of Vietnam living, working, and studying abroad.
During the ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong shared about a difficult year marked by significant, complex, and unpredictable changes, increased uncertainty, prolonged conflicts, localized wars in many regions, increasingly extreme weather and severe natural disasters, and a slow global economic recovery negatively impacting all countries. In this context, Vietnam has strived to overcome difficulties and achieved important and comprehensive results in all fields, leaving a remarkable mark.
He emphasized that Vietnam has risen to become a leading dynamic economy in the Asia-Pacific region, a crucial link in many economic linkages, free trade agreements, and regional and global production chains. Vietnam has affirmed its image and position as an independent, self-reliant, and dynamically developing country, a loyal and sincere friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community, and a beautiful, safe, friendly, and hospitable destination.
President Vo Van Thuong shared about his visits to several countries and his meetings with overseas Vietnamese. On the eve of the traditional Lunar New Year, the President was moved to listen to the stories of the overseas Vietnamese and to sense their aspirations and determination to rise up, and their desire to contribute to the development of the country.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the President expressed joy at the achievements made by Vietnamese people abroad, acknowledging, appreciating, and highly valuing the great contributions and the quiet, persistent efforts of each Vietnamese person to the Fatherland.
" Dear compatriots and distinguished delegates, Tet (Lunar New Year) is always very special to the Vietnamese people. This is the time when those who live far away return home, sharing in the warmth of family, homeland, and country, welcoming the new year together. Even those who cannot return home will turn their hearts towards their ancestral land with deep and sacred emotions."
According to ancestral tradition, the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is the day to offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God, releasing carp as a way of informing heaven, earth, and ancestors about the past year, renovating and cleaning the house, discarding old things, and opening one's heart to prepare to welcome a new year with new energy, new hopes for a bright future, and everything going smoothly.
With that spirit, I once again wish our compatriots abroad and all delegates a prosperous, healthy, happy, and successful New Year. May the great national unity of Vietnam continue to develop. May our beloved Vietnam become increasingly prosperous and happy. New year, new spirit, new victories !
Following the program were special musical performances praising the love of the homeland, country and people of Vietnam.
The song "Hue-Saigon-Hanoi" was performed by Meritorious Artists Thanh Thanh Hien and Le Thien. The stage setting was spectacular, featuring a "river" on the stage, boats and canoes moving about, and a bustling scene of people trading on the peaceful river.
Singer My Linh appeared in a gentle white ao dai to perform the song Tu Van in a sparkling and magnificent arrangement.
More than 1,500 overseas Vietnamese enjoyed unique and spectacular performances imbued with the images and sounds of their homeland, Vietnam.
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![[Video] The craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings has been inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Crafts in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/402x226/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/12/10/1765350246533_tranh-dong-ho-734-jpg.webp)
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