Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucmet a delegation of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) joining the annual “HomelandSpring 2020” programme in Hanoi on January 18.

At the meeting, the PM welcomed the expatriates home for thetraditional New Year, saying that their participation in the programmerreflects their warm sentiment for and close bonds with the home country.

He affirmed that Party and State leaders highly value the OVs’contributions to the development of the host countries.

Phuc added that he is impressed by OV communities’ efforts tomaintain the Vietnamese cultural identity abroad such as teaching of Vietnameselanguage, and holding events featuring Vietnamese cuisine and folk music, thusintroducing the Vietnamese culture to international friends.

The Government leader also lauded the trade and consumptionof Vietnamese goods abroad, as well as remittances sent to the country foreconomic development.

He noted that Vietnam is one of the world’s top 10recipients of remittances, and said the inflow of money is a useful resourcefor the country’s economic growth.

The PM wished that the OVs would stay united to make furthercontributions to the host country and the homeland.

He instructed ministries, agencies and localities to offerall possible support to OVs to do business and engage in science-technologycooperation in Vietnam.

According to the Foreign Ministry, there are about 4.5million Vietnamese living and working in over 110 countries and territories, withover 500,000 of them holding bachelor and higher degrees.

Over 1,500 OVs from 30 countries and territories, thelargest number so far, have returned to join the Homeland Spring 2020 programme./.