Overseas Vietnamese from all over the world return to Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate Lunar New Year 2024

(Dan Tri) - On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese coordinated with relevant agencies to organize the program "Spring Homeland 2024" in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of 100 outstanding overseas Vietnamese.

On the morning of February 1, 100 outstanding overseas Vietnamese from 28 countries and territories, 5 continents (56 men, 44 women) began the series of activities of the "Spring Homeland" program by offering incense at the Hung Kings Memorial - National Historical and Cultural Park (Long Binh Ward, Thu Duc City). Mr. Le Van Duyen (94 years old, San Francisco State, USA) is the oldest person in the group, using a cane to walk up the stairs to the incense offering place on the hill. "I can walk by myself. Every year when I return to Vietnam, I walk, that's meaningful," Mr. Duyen shared with Dan Tri reporter.

The program is held annually before the Lunar New Year for overseas Vietnamese returning home, with the participation of leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, central and local departments, ministries and branches. This is the largest political, foreign affairs and cultural event connecting overseas Vietnamese with the country, and is also an opportunity for Party and State leaders to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of overseas Vietnamese.

After 8 o'clock, the incense and flower offering ceremony to the Hung Kings by the overseas Vietnamese delegation began with solemn rituals.

According to the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), there are currently about 5.3 million overseas Vietnamese living and working in 130 countries and territories, of which more than 80% are in developed countries.

Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, visited overseas Vietnamese after the incense offering ceremony.

"My daughter and I feel very honored to return to Vietnam to visit our homeland during Tet as typical overseas Vietnamese. This is also an opportunity for my daughter to return to her homeland to visit and learn more about the cultural and historical values ​​of the country," said Ms. Dang Thi My Hanh (mother of 8-year-old Pham Viet Ha, an Australian Vietnamese).

After the incense offering ceremony at the Hung Kings Memorial, the overseas Vietnamese delegation visited and experienced metro line 1 Suoi Tien - Ben Thanh station.

A delegation of 100 outstanding overseas Vietnamese had a two-day tour in Ho Chi Minh City on February 1-2 with many programs such as offering incense to commemorate the Hung Kings, experiencing the metro train, meeting local people in Thu Duc City, visiting Ho Chi Minh City by double-decker bus, visiting Nha Rong Wharf, offering incense at the Ho Chi Minh monument...

Mr. Le Van Duyen read and carefully studied every piece of information about metro line 1 before getting on the train to experience it. "I have a wish to return to Vietnam to see the development of the country and invest in the development of my homeland before I rest in peace," said Mr. Duyen.

Many overseas Vietnamese experiencing the metro in Ho Chi Minh City expressed interest in Vietnam's first metro line.

Vu Minh Huyen (32 years old, overseas Vietnamese in Australia) is radiant in an ao dai. The young woman is currently the Director of External Relations for Southeast Asia at the University of Western Australia. She shared: "This time returning home coincides with the Lunar New Year, and I am also honored to be the youngest of the 15 overseas Vietnamese to receive a certificate of merit for their contributions to the development of their homeland. This recognition is not only a motivation for me to try harder, but I also hope that the entire community of young Vietnamese people abroad will actively contribute more to their homeland."

Most overseas Vietnamese who experienced the first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City said they felt excited and happy because their country has "changed its skin". Infrastructure and urban transportation are increasingly modern and are gradually catching up with the powerful countries.

Hai Long - Spiritual

Dantri.com.vn

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