Vietnam Strengthens Ties with Overseas Vietnamese for National Development

Vietnam's Communist Party has announced a new policy aimed at strengthening ties with overseas Vietnamese (OV), encouraging them to act as "bridges" for national development. Politburo Resolution No. 23 signals a shift from merely "pooling, gathering and caring for" OVs to "accompanying them and creating mechanisms," opening doors for deeper engagement in national development. The resolution calls for fostering sustainable networks that connect experts, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and young people, ensuring the OV community remains closely connected to the homeland, regardless of geographical distance. Le Thi Kim Anh, an international expert in public finance and governance digitalization based in New York, described the resolution as a "significant step forward in the Party and State’s approach to the more than 6.5 million Vietnamese living, studying and working around the world." As Vietnam enters a new development phase targeting double-digit growth by 2030 and 2045, the expertise, experience, and international networks of the OV community are seen as crucial for economic growth, technological innovation, and social development. The initiative is expected to facilitate foreign investment, technology transfer, and enhance Vietnam's international image, with entrepreneurs and professionals playing a key role as "bridges." Under Vietnam's one-party system, mobilizing the strength of all citizens, including its diaspora, is a key strategy for achieving national goals. This enhanced engagement with overseas Vietnamese is thus positioned as an integral part of the country's state-led development strategy.