The Fatherland is like a Mother, always watching, caring and happy when her children succeed.

On the evening of July 25, in Rome, President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with overseas Vietnamese, experts, researchers, members of friendship organizations, and close Italian friends of Vietnam.

Chủ tịch nước Võ Văn Thưởng: Tổ quốc như người Mẹ, luôn dõi theo, quan tâm và vui mừng khi những người con thành đạt

President Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking delegation visited and talked with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and overseas Vietnamese living, working and studying in Italy. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

This is the first activity right after the President arrived in Rome, during his State visit to Italy.

At the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung reported on the situation of Vietnamese people living, working and studying in the country. The Ambassador said that there are currently about 5,000 Vietnamese people living in Italy, who have a stable legal status, are always united, attached and highly appreciated by the host country.

President Vo Van Thuong talks with Italian friends close to Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Ambassador said that recently, the people have established the Union of Presidents of Vietnamese Associations in Italy to connect Vietnamese associations.

Representing the community, Mr. Pham Van Hong, Chairman of the Italy-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, expressed his joy at the good development in the cooperative relationship between the two countries, especially in trade and investment.

Mr. Pham Van Hong introduced the establishment of the Union of Presidents of Vietnamese Associations in Italy, saying that this event will strengthen the connection between Vietnamese associations in the host country; actively promote the image of the country and Vietnamese people in Italy and Europe.

Representative of the Italy-Vietnam Mutual Aid Association, Mr. Tran Minh Chau said that the majority of the Vietnamese community in Italy has mixed Vietnamese-Italian families, with a large number of Vietnamese brides marrying Italian men.

The President affirmed that the Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Appreciating Vietnam's efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, on behalf of overseas Vietnamese in Italy, Mr. Chau expressed his gratitude to the State and the Embassy for supporting people with masks during the most severe period of the pandemic.

A representative of the INTRA Association - a cultural and non-political, non-profit association, said that the Association has coordinated with the city of Todi to establish the "Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam" Library. All books about Uncle Ho and Vietnam in the Library have also been digitized and posted on social networking platforms to spread worldwide.

Expressing his delight at meeting a large number of representatives of the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Italy, as well as close Italian friends of Vietnam, the President emphasized that over the past half century, the Vietnam-Italy relationship has continuously developed in all aspects. The President believes that this visit will create new momentum, increase political trust, and bring the relationship between the two countries to a new level of development, more substantial and effective, for the development of each country.

The President was delighted to see the Vietnamese community in Italy always united, compassionate, and supportive of each other. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Head of State of Vietnam is pleased to see that the Vietnamese community in Italy is always united, compassionate, supportive of each other, has a close relationship with the locals, and has a stable life.

“These are important factors contributing to the development of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership in recent times,” said the President.

President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that the country and the Fatherland are like a mother, and a mother always watches over and cares for her children living and working around the world and is always happy to see her children succeed.

The Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation; hope that overseas Vietnamese integrate well into the host society, have a stable legal status, have a stable economy, live in mutual support and charity; have many activities towards the country and have close and close relationships with the local people, playing the role of a bridge to deepen the relationship between Vietnam and the host country, in this case Italy.

The President wished the children to always be good, study well and be healthy so that they can contribute to the country in the future. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The President also hopes that overseas Vietnamese in Italy will maintain the traditional cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, maintain, preserve and use the Vietnamese language for generations. Continue to promote the tradition of solidarity, help each other in life, comply with the laws of the host country, maintain and promote the national cultural identity and always look back to the roots of the homeland.

Informing the people about the country's situation, President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that in the country's general achievements in recent times, there are important contributions from the overseas Vietnamese community; including overseas Vietnamese in Italy and the support and assistance of international friends; such as Italian friends who are close to Vietnam.

The President also appreciated the intellectuals, scientists, businessmen and foreign organizations who spent time researching and promoting Vietnamese culture, affirming that this is something very valuable.

On behalf of the Party and State, President Vo Van Thuong thanked close Italian friends of Vietnam for their interest, support and assistance to Vietnam over the past years.