Overseas Vietnamese Return to Ancestral Land to Pay Tribute to Hung Kings
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- How did your journey with the Vietnam Fatherland Front begin?

From a young age, I was actively involved in youth and student movements. When my husband and I moved to Hungary to settle permanently, I hoped to help the Vietnamese community organize activities that would strengthen solidarity and affirm its position in the host country. There, I remained closely engaged in community activities, association work, people-to-people diplomacy, and especially in connecting women, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals with their homeland. In 2009, I was nominated by the Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary to participate in the VFF.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien, member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and President of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Throughout four terms with the VFF, I have clearly felt its role in uniting and consolidating the great national solidarity bloc, including connecting more than six million overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the nation. For me, being able to participate in the VFF has been both a great honor and a special responsibility.

- During your involvement, what has impressed you most about the VFF’s activities for overseas Vietnamese?

What impressed me most is the spirit of always turning toward overseas Vietnamese with increasing respect and openness. The VFF regularly organizes consultations with overseas Vietnamese on important national issues, thereby gathering their aspirations and recommendations to forward to the relevant authorities.

As for the overseas Vietnamese community, I have been particularly moved by activities encouraging expatriates to join hands with the country in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as programs supporting people affected by natural disasters and floods. This demonstrates that although living far from the homeland, the hearts of Vietnamese people always remain directed toward their roots.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien expressed her hope that the Vietnam Fatherland Front will continue to further strengthen its role as a bridge between the Party, the State, and overseas Vietnamese communities. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

- What are your expectations for the role of the VFF in the new term regarding overseas Vietnamese communities?

In the new term, I hope the VFF will continue to further strengthen its role as a bridge between the Party, the State, and overseas Vietnamese communities. I hope overseas Vietnamese communities will be able to contribute even more to the country’s development process. At the same time, I expect the VFF to further promote connections among overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and experts so they can participate in programs related to economic development, education, innovation, and people-to-people diplomacy.

I also hope the VFF will continue accompanying overseas Vietnamese activities and more effectively promote the role of VFF Committee members in strengthening the great national unity bloc. Through my activities in Hungary, I have clearly felt that when there is strong support from the VFF, overseas community organizations gain greater motivation and confidence to carry out more meaningful activities.

In addition, I hope the 11th National Congress of the VFF will introduce concrete orientations to make people-to-people diplomacy one of the pillars of Vietnam’s diplomatic work, while fully tapping into the potential of overseas Vietnamese communities in the journey of elevating Vietnam’s standing alongside international friends and partners.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien presents 20 scholarships to students of Thanh Hung Primary School in Đại Đồng Commune, Nghe An Province. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

- In your opinion, what should the VFF do to help younger generations of overseas Vietnamese maintain their connection with their homeland and roots?

In my view, the most important thing is to adopt flexible, modern approaches that are appropriate for each generation of overseas Vietnamese. While the first generation often remains attached to the homeland through memories and direct emotional ties, the second and third generations need to be connected through experiences, culture, language, and pride in their national roots.

First and foremost, it is necessary to strengthen digital connectivity platforms, multilingual communications, and forms of engagement that resonate with young people. Patriotism should not only be communicated through slogans; spaces must also be created where younger generations have opportunities to participate, be heard, and contribute to their homeland in their own ways.

Work related to overseas Vietnamese should also focus on building a long-term connectivity ecosystem. This includes promoting digital transformation in community affairs, developing platforms that connect Vietnamese intellectuals, youth, and entrepreneurs worldwide, and introducing exchange, internship, startup, and cultural immersion programs in Vietnam for younger generations of overseas Vietnamese. Soft connection models through culture, education, social media, the arts, international forums, and volunteer activities will also help create a natural and sustainable ripple effect.

I believe that overseas Vietnamese communities are not only an inseparable part of the nation, but also an extremely valuable resource for Vietnam’s development and international integration. And the VFF will continue to play an important role in fostering this great national unity bloc during the country’s new stage of development.

- Thank you very much!

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