Overseas Vietnamese join hands to shoulder the nation's great mission.

(NLĐO) - President Luong Cuong emphasized that in the great achievements of the nation, there has always been the important joint effort and contribution of our compatriots abroad.

On the evening of January 19th, ahead of the Lunar New Year 2025 (Year of the Snake), at the National Convention Center in Hanoi , President Luong Cuong and his wife attended the "Spring in the Homeland 2025" art exchange program.

President Luong Cuong beats the drum to officially open the Spring Festival celebration. Photo: Duong Tieu

On behalf of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front leaders, President Luong Cuong delivered a New Year's greeting to overseas Vietnamese and beat the drum to officially open the Spring Festival.

Also attending were: Mr. Do Van Chien, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department; members of the Central Committee of the Party: Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Mr. Mai Van Chinh, Head of the Central Committee's Mass Mobilization Department; Mr. Le Khanh Hai, Head of the Office of the President; Mr. Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi City; Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense; and leaders and former leaders of central committees, ministries, and agencies.

Notably, the event was also attended by 1,500 overseas Vietnamese living and working in 42 countries and territories around the world who returned home to celebrate Tet and the Spring Festival with their relatives, along with domestic guests.

Speaking at the program, President Luong Cuong expressed his joy and emotion at meeting so many people at the "Spring in the Homeland 2025" program in the early days of the new year and preparing to welcome the Year of the Snake in Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital of culture, the city for peace, the capital of conscience and human dignity, the heart of the nation.

The President affirmed that Vietnamese people, no matter where they live in the world or how different their living circumstances may be, always turn their thoughts towards their homeland and roots when Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives. Tet is not only an occasion for family reunions but also a time to honor and affirm the beautiful traditional cultural values ​​of the nation, reminding everyone, no matter how far away, that they are an inseparable part of their homeland. This is the sacred bond that connects those who are far from home with their beloved Vietnam.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the President extends to all overseas Vietnamese present today, and to all our compatriots abroad, his warmest regards, heartfelt greetings, and best wishes for a happy new year.

Highlighting the country's key achievements over the past year, the President pointed out that despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges, thanks to the efforts of the entire Party and people, we have achieved many important accomplishments. Political and social stability has been maintained; national defense, security, order, and social safety have been ensured; and sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity have been upheld. The economy continues to be a bright spot in the world and the region, with an estimated GDP growth rate of over 7% for the whole year. Foreign affairs have achieved many outstanding results, contributing to consolidating the country's position and prestige.

The President stated that the Party, the State, and the people at home always pay attention to and follow the situation of our compatriots abroad; and are extremely pleased and proud to see that in the past year, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, our compatriots have maintained their steadfastness and determination, striving to build better lives; many have affirmed their position in their host societies, and some have been listed on the world's intellectual map.

President Luong Cuong delivers a New Year's greeting speech to Vietnamese expatriates around the world. Photo: Duong Tieu.

The President affirmed that this is clear evidence of the admirable qualities of the Vietnamese people: resilience in the face of difficulties, unwavering strength in the face of adversity, and a will to rise above storms; affirming the increasingly solid position of the Vietnamese community in the international arena.

The President also emotionally recalled heartwarming stories about the community spirit, solidarity, and mutual support of our compatriots abroad, who, despite difficulties, always look towards their homeland. The spirit of sharing food and clothing to help those in the country devastated by the historic Typhoon Yagi further demonstrates the noble patriotism, unwavering loyalty to their fellow countrymen, and the spirit of national unity that our compatriots abroad dedicate to their homeland and their compatriots at home.

Highlighting that 2025 is a year of many significant anniversaries for the Party and the nation, especially the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of national reunification, the President affirmed: Looking back at the historical journey, few nations in the world bear as many wounds of war as Vietnam, but few nations have had their history written by victories following victories like the Vietnamese people. From a country without a name on the world map, Vietnam has now risen to become an independent and free nation, a developing country with a middle income, deeply and broadly integrated into world politics, the global economy, and human civilization. We have risen, "shaking off the mud and shining brightly," confidently reaching out to the open sea, joining the flow of humanity.

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh's teaching, "Even the five fingers have short and long fingers. But short and long fingers all come together in the hand. Among millions of people, there are those who are different, but whether they are like this or like that, they are all descendants of our ancestors," the President emphasized that in the great achievements of the nation, there has always been the important joint effort and contribution of our compatriots abroad. The strength of national unity is the prerequisite and the source of strength, bringing about all the great and glorious victories of our nation; Vietnamese people, whether at home or abroad, are all "descendants of Lac and Hong."

"We remember yesterday to cherish today, nurture aspirations for tomorrow, close the chapter on the past, and together preserve and strengthen national unity, looking towards a bright future for the nation," the President affirmed.

The President noted that looking towards the future, Vietnam is preparing a solid foundation for the country to confidently enter a new era, and with a glorious history of thousands of years of nation-building and defense, we must make the most of this historical opportunity. Every Vietnamese citizen, whether at home or abroad, should contribute to the great journey of the nation.

Affirming that the Party and State of Vietnam always pay special attention to and care for our compatriots abroad, an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and an important resource of the Vietnamese people, the President stated that policies and guidelines related to overseas Vietnamese will continue to be implemented more comprehensively and vigorously in the future, clearly demonstrating the affection and responsibility of the Party and State in better meeting the legitimate aspirations and desires of our compatriots abroad, creating motivation to encourage them to strive, build a better life, cultivate and nurture patriotism and love for their people, and preserve the Vietnamese language and culture - the soul of our nation.

Highlighting that in the process of national construction and development, the Party and State have always highly valued and appreciated the contributions of our compatriots abroad, working together to realize the goal of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, the President called on our compatriots abroad to continue to unite, work together, nurture patriotism, and join hands with compatriots at home to shoulder the great mission of the nation.

View the full text of the President's speech here:

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, Le Thi Thu Hang, delivered a speech.

The "Spring in the Homeland 2025" art exchange program features spectacular performances highlighting the journey of history made through heroic events; the return of those who have left their homeland, whether in Vietnam or abroad, still looking towards Hanoi - "the capital of conscience and human dignity"; as well as the new faith and spirit to confidently move into a new era in the solidarity and unity of all compatriots at home and abroad. Outstanding songs and performances such as "Homeland Emotions," "Vietnam on the Day of Great Victory," "You are the Unwavering Faith in Victory," "My Homeland Has Never Been So Beautiful," "Longing to Return to Hanoi," and "Aspiration to Rise Up - Vietnam"... highlight love for the homeland, national pride, and the aspiration to build the country, expressing faith in Vietnam's bright future, as well as profound emotions about the nation's culture and history.

Here are some pictures:

Source: https://nld.com.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-kieu-bao-chung-tay-ganh-vac-su-menh-trong-dai-cua-dan-toc-196250120065921434.htm