Overseas Vietnamese: A Bridge Promoting Vietnam's Image in a New Era

The overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) community, numbering over six million, is playing an increasingly significant role in promoting Vietnam's international image, according to Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet magazine. He noted that Viet Kieu are increasingly recognized as an "inseparable part of the nation" and a crucial resource for strengthening friendship and cooperation with countries worldwide. Within Vietnam's national development strategy under its one-party system, Viet Kieu are being emphasized for their soft power potential. As Vietnam continues its economic growth and diversifies its foreign relations, their presence is becoming more valuable as diplomatic bridges. The Communist Party of Vietnam has long implemented policies to encourage Viet Kieu to return and invest, not only for economic benefits but also to spread Vietnamese culture and values abroad, fostering pro-Vietnam sentiment. In recent years, while navigating complex relations with China, Vietnam has sought to strengthen ties with diverse nations like the US and Japan for economic growth, and Viet Kieu are supporting this multifaceted diplomatic strategy. Through participation in cultural events in their host countries and information dissemination via social media, they convey Vietnam's economic progress and societal advancements. This can indirectly contribute to shaping international public opinion on issues Vietnam faces, such as the South China Sea dispute.