A meeting with a number of overseas Vietnamese held at Nhan Dan newspaper's headquarters on February 8 was an opportunity for them to express their sentiments and aspirations towards the homeland, reflecting the voice of about three million Vietnamese people living and working in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

On behalf of the staff at Nhan Dan daily and other pres agencies, Editor-in-chief Dinh The Huynh extended best wishes to overseas Vietnamese and their relatives on the occasion of the lunar New Year 2007.

He pointed to the significantly positive development of the country despite many difficulties and challenges concerning natural disasters, diseases and market fluctuation. The impressive achievements in economic development and poverty reduction made in 2006 were attributed to the Party's leadership and the people's efforts, he said.

He stressed that 2006 was a landmark in the country's foreign relations including the successful organisation of the 14th APEC Meeting, the official joining to the World Trade Organisation and the nomination by Asian countries to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 period.

Vietnam had left a strong impression as a peaceful land and dynamic economy on international friends, Mr Huynh said, expressing his belief that overseas Vietnamese would continue to make contributions to their homeland.

Representatives of overseas Vietnamese then took the floor to voice their sentiments and suggestions.

Mr Nguyen Cong Chinh, vice chairman of the Association of Vietnamese people in Britain said: "After nearly 30 years living in Britain, I am very happy to be able to return to the homeland to enjoy the lunar New Year 2007. Vietnam is changing positively in different fields. In foreign relations, the country has established fine ties with many countries in the world. The economy is developing quickly including improved infrastructure. Another notable change is that customs procedures at Noi Bai airport are more convenient now. However, the Government should take stronger measures to raise people's awareness in obeying traffic regulations, especially in cities. I hope that more favourable conditions will be created to help overseas Vietnamese travel from Vietnam to other countries. In education, I think that standardisation is needed for the teaching of foreign languages."

Mr Nguyen Nhu Vinh, an engineer in Germany said he was pleased to witness the progress in poverty reduction, healthcare and education in Vietnam. He said that every Vietnamese at home or abroad had the same wish that the country's would develop continuously. In the current situation, Vietnam should focus on raising the economy's efficiency and at the same time better dealing with the negative side of the market economy namely the gap between the rich and the poor and the change of lifestyle. Regarding post-WTO work, he suggested that the Government should provide favourable conditions to encourage investment from other countries including a significant resource from over three million overseas Vietnamese. He stressed that more investment is needed for education to train sufficient personnel to meet the increasing requirements of national industrialisation and modernisation.

Sharing viewpoints in terms of the economy's efficiency, especially the attraction of foreign investment, overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Hung Thao from Russia and Tran Van Dang from the Czech Republic pointed to the importance of creating an industrial foundation for the country. Both said that foreign investment is creating more jobs rather than helping to promote the transfer of modern technologies. "Overseas Vietnamese expect further support from the Government to expand their business in Vietnam," they said.

Ms Le Phan Hoai Bich, director of the Doco Technology Company and member of the Australia-Vietnam Trade Council in Australia said: "During this return to Vietnam, I witnessed more changes, reflecting the dynamic development of the economy. Markets and supermarkets are full of goods. The quality of domestic goods are much better and the people think more about the quality of life. Young people are becoming more active and confident in accessing modern techniques. Vietnamese businesses are entering a new period, becoming more flexible in seeking sources of capital and expanding the business system which help promote social development. In the process of dynamic international integration, I suggest that Nhan Dan newspaper launch a movement "Vietnamese people buy Vietnamese goods." In order to boost domestic production, I suggest that more efforts should be made to introducing and advertising products at home and abroad."

The delegation of overseas Vietnamese from Thailand returned to the homeland with an honour of receiving the Independence Order (first class) presented by the State. Mr Vu Xuan Nghi expressed the pride towards the country's impressive changes and pledged that overseas Vietnamese in Thailand would encourage their children to preserve and promote Vietnam's cultural identity and contribute to their homeland's development.