Communist Review - At all times, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) has always played an essential role in gathering and mobilizing overseas Vietnamese - a critical task in the nation's revolutionary cause in general, strengthening national unity in particular. In the coming time, with new requirements for the cause of national construction and defense, the VFF will continue to put in great effort to fulfil its mission.

National unity in the Party and State’s major guidelines and policies on overseas Vietnamese

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh always emphasized: Solidarity, solidarity, great solidarity. Success, success, great success. It is a "significant slogan" that runs through his thoughts, principles and mottos for the Vietnamese revolution. It is also a reflection and continuation of the long-standing tradition of Vietnamese people: The boat is rowed and overturned by people. People’s strength feels like flowing water when the boat is overturned. The nation's revolutionary cause could not succeed without the support of a large number of people from all walks of life, regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, domestic or foreign, male or female, rich or poor...

Right from the time of finding ways to save the country and early nation-building, President Ho Chi Minh and the senior leaders of the Party had been closely working with the people and overseas Vietnamese communities, being taken care of, protected, and supported by them. Therefore, he was very interested in and understood the vital role of the overseas Vietnamese in the revolution. He built the initial basis for establishing Vietnamese organizations in France, China, Thailand, etc., leading to the formation of the overseas Vietnamese patriotic movements that gained strong development in these countries, creating a basis to support the domestic revolutionary movement.

Upon gaining national independence, President Ho Chi Minh repeatedly encouraged Vietnamese compatriots abroad to promote patriotism and take advantage of the affection of the local people by various measures to support the nation. Responding to his call, patriotic compatriots abroad have made great material, spiritual and intellectual contributions to the Fatherland, especially during the hard times of the newly-born Democratic Republic of Viet Nam. In the two resistance wars against the French and American people, the strength of the overseas Vietnamese community continued to be maximized, making a significant contribution to the revolutionary cause of struggling and preserving national independence and unification. 

Following President Ho Chi Minh's spirit of national unity, in the cause of renewal, our Party and State continue to affirm the critical position of the overseas Vietnamese community. The views and policies of the Party and State as well as the feelings of each domestic Vietnamese citizen always affirm: Overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part and a resource of the national community. With its mission, rights and responsibilities, over the years, the VFF has been active in mobilizing and gathering overseas Vietnamese to build national unity, contributing to the Fatherland’s construction and defense.

Realizing the Party's policy, the Politburo over the years has issued documents on overseas Vietnamese⁽¹⁾, which emphasized: 

1- Overseas Vietnamese work should fully demonstrate the tradition of great national unity. The basis of solidarity is national consciousness and patriotism, national pride and the common goal of all Vietnamese people to preserve the national independence and unity of the Fatherland, for the sake of "people’s prosperity, and a powerful, democratic, fair and civilized nation". Eliminating complexity, prejudice, and discrimination caused by history or differentiated classes; building a spirit of openness, respect, understanding, mutual trust, and looking forward to the future. All Vietnamese, regardless of ethnicity, religion, origin, social status, reason for going abroad, wishing to contribute to the achievement of the above goal will be gathered in the great national unity. 

2- Overseas Vietnamese are an integral part and resource of the Vietnamese ethnic community in the cause of national construction and defense, an important factor contributing to strengthening cooperative and friendly relations between Viet Nam and countries worldwide.

3- Overseas Vietnamese work is the responsibility of the entire political system and the people. Organizations of the Party, State, VFF and mass organizations, branches and levels from the central to local, at home and abroad, and the entire people should consider this an important task to mobilize the strength of national unity for the cause of national construction and defense.

The VFF performs the task of mobilizing, gathering and uniting overseas Vietnamese

Implementing the Party's guidelines, policies, rights, and responsibilities as mentioned in the Constitution and laws, the VFF has proactively innovated and diversified contents and operations. Gathering overseas Vietnamese has become a vital content and task throughout the action program of the VFF’s congresses, and through the annual coordination and actions of the Central Committee of the VFF with partners⁽²⁾.

Through the annual Joint Action Plan of the Central Committee of the VFF, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the VFF and its member organizations agreed to develop a specific plan, focusing on implementing information work, disseminating the Party’s guidelines and the State’s laws and policies, action programs, and the call of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the VFF to the overseas Vietnamese community.

The Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the VFF coordinates with the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese in advising, researching, criticizing, and giving suggestions on formulating policies and laws related to overseas Vietnamese. The body conducts a review of legal documents issued by the State related to overseas Vietnamese; coordinates and consults the other in formulating, amending, supplementing and perfecting guidelines, policies and laws related to overseas Vietnamese such as the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, Law on Housing, Law on Science and Technology, Law on Investment...; coordinates in mobilizing overseas Vietnamese to support and implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; shares and exchange information about the community situation, capture their thoughts and aspirations to report and make proposals to the Party and State to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese people; coordinates in assessing and proposing criteria for selecting typical overseas Vietnamese to be members of the Central Committee of the VFF; coordinates in organizing annual events for overseas Vietnamese, such as the "Homeland Spring" program, organizing compatriots to visit the Spratly Islands...

The Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the VFF organizes various activities of contacting, exchanging information, capturing the thoughts and aspirations of overseas Vietnamese people; appoints delegates to participate in activities organized by overseas Vietnamese associations and organizations; sends delegations of the VFF Central Committee to visit and work with the overseas Vietnamese communities; welcomes and works with overseas Vietnamese associations, organizations and individuals during their visits to the VFF; supervises the implementation of policies and laws to ensure the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese; formulates and promulgates guidelines on commending and rewarding collectives and individuals of overseas Vietnamese who have made excellent achievements in gathering and uniting the community and contributing to the construction of their homeland and country; mobilizes overseas Vietnamese to actively respond to patriotic campaigns and movements, especially ones launched by the VFF. At the same time, the VFF also attaches importance to and is proactive in mobilizing intellectuals, businessmen, celebrities, and typical people in overseas Vietnamese communities to strengthen cooperation in scientific research, intellectual investment in spearhead fields of science and technology, key economic projects, improvement of cultural and spiritual life, preservation, promotion and honor of national cultural identity both at home and abroad; coordinates support for the overseas Vietnamese community with legitimate needs for cultural, spiritual and religious life; supports overseas Vietnamese in areas being severely affected by the epidemic...

The VFF selects typical Vietnamese people in high Vietnamese-populated areas and countries to join the Presidium, the Central Committee of the VFF (3) and introduces them to the VFF Committee at all levels. This is the core force representing the overseas Vietnamese community to regularly reflect and provide information on the operation of the overseas Vietnamese communities and associations with relevant agencies; disseminating the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws to overseas Vietnamese; acting as a bridge for partner enrolment and cooperation activities through the "channel" of people's diplomacy of the VFF.

The VFF in provinces and cities have actively coordinated and supported the establishment and organization of activities of the local associations, overseas Vietnamese relatives' associations at home, and other agencies. The VFF also coordinated with local authorities to create favorable conditions for local mobilization and gathering of overseas relatives and Vietnamese.

Key tasks and solutions by the VFF in the coming time

The comprehensive renewal and deep international integration process have opened up opportunities but also posed challenges for the political system in affirming the country's position in the international arena, bringing the economy to swift and sustainable development, and creating breakthroughs; at the same time, maintaining political stability, protecting the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. In that context, the overseas Vietnamese work needs closer attention and a comprehensive, strong, and substantial implementation at all levels, branches, localities and units. To continue implementing the Resolution of the Ninth National Congress of the VFF, term 2019 – 2024 and realize the Party's guidelines, resolutions and directives on overseas Vietnamese work, promoting the mobilization and gathering of overseas Vietnamese to unite towards building and protecting the Fatherland, in the coming time, the VFF at all levels should focus on implementing several key tasks and solutions as follows:

Firstly, promoting a significant change towards unity in the awareness of agencies and units in the political system and all strata of the people about the importance of campaigning, gathering, and uniting overseas Vietnamese; enhancing the role of the VFF’s organizations in working with overseas Vietnamese; rooting up obsolete thinking about the historical past, prejudices about social class, discrimination on social status, ethnicity, religion, rich-and-poor gap, and development level to gain openness, sympathy, respect and trust for overseas Vietnamese under the spirit of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated March 26, 2004, of the Politburo, “On overseas Vietnamese work": The overseas Vietnamese community is an integral part of the Vietnamese community. 

Secondly, continuing to coordinate in reviewing the State’s documents on laws and policies related to overseas Vietnamese to request authorities to make any amendments and supplementation, meeting actual aspirations and legitimate interests, and at the same time focusing on solving remained problems during the implementation over the past time; promoting research and proposing mechanisms to attract and take advantage of the "grey matter", investment, positive influence of the overseas Vietnamese community and individual at home, and other potentials and strengths of overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the national development and deep international integration.

Strengthening the supervision and social criticism by the VFF in continuing to perfect and implement guidelines, policies, and laws on overseas Vietnamese; well performing the task of representing and protecting the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese; being a bridge to organize overseas Vietnamese to participate in Party and State building under regulations. Coordinating with member organizations at the same level, especially socio-political organizations, overseas Vietnamese associations, overseas Vietnamese relatives associations... to capture their thoughts, thereby proposing the Party and State for paying attention to and solving the legitimate needs and aspirations of the community; focusing on the support of people in solving problems of legal status, regranting citizenship, creating favorable conditions for administrative and civil procedures of visiting relatives as well as investment, doing business, living and working in Viet Nam... The VFF mobilizes social resources at home and abroad to coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations to support and help overseas Vietnamese dealing with difficulties.

Thirdly, the VFF cooperates with relevant agencies to promote dissemination and mobilize the overseas Vietnamese community and their relatives to unite toward the Fatherland. Focusing on propagandizing the guidelines and policies of the Party and State, especially Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Conclusion No. 12-KL/TW, dated August 12, 2021, of the Politburo, "On the work of overseas Vietnamese in the new situation"; promoting the role of press, broadcasting and television agencies in the VFF and its member organizations in performing their tasks; renewing and diversifying forms and methods of propagation, coordination and information orientation for overseas Vietnamese on complex and sensitive issues; effectively countering false information, distorting statements about the national situation, border and territory, ethnicity, religion, democracy, human rights and freedom of expression.

The VFF, in collaboration with the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, is interested in supporting, recognizing, protecting and encouraging the media, press, and overseas Vietnamese individuals on regular dissemination and objective introduction of the national situation. 

Having active dissemination, mobilization, and effective participation in the process of national concord for the solid building and consolidation of the great national unity. Having coordination with ministries, branches and functional agencies in researching, grasping the situation, expanding the contact area to remove past guilt; encouraging influential individuals or overseas Vietnamese who still have prejudices and inferiority complex towards the country, to have positive thoughts towards the Fatherland.

Fourthly, strengthening the encouragement of overseas Vietnamese to build a united, economically strong community, integrate and abide by the host country's laws, preserve and promote good cultural identity and traditions to join hands for national building. Paying attention to the coordination and promotion of supporting the community to preserve and enhance the national cultural identity, teaching and learning Vietnamese especially for the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese; supporting the community in need of spiritual activities and beliefs; coordinating in mobilizing and attracting overseas Vietnamese to participate in activities, campaigns and reward movements at home, responding to the call of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the VFF. 

Fifthly, coordinating in support of strengthening traditional associations and building new associations; orienting the selection and fostering of young, active, capable and enthusiastic people in the leadership of the unions; renewing and diversifying forms of gathering, especially gathering the young generation; researching and proposing specific and appropriate mechanisms and policies to support associations. Studying current models and continuing to recognize overseas Vietnamese associations as members of the VFF and its members’ organizations. 

Sixthly, coordinating in performing regular and irregular rewards to promptly recognize, encourage and motivate overseas Vietnamese collectives and individuals that have made achievements in community building for the homeland and national building. Continuing to research and propose practical forms of commendation and encouragement suitable for each specific area and subject.

Seventhly, promoting the effective role of members of the VFF Committee at all levels, who are overseas Vietnamese and the Advisory Council for Foreign Affairs and Overseas Vietnamese, in grasping and reflecting on the situation, advising the Central Committee, the Presidium and the Standing Board of the Central Committee of the VFF on supervising and criticizing policies, laws and other related matters to overseas Vietnamese.

Eighthly, conducting research, making a proposal and participation in building and perfecting the mechanism for closer and more synchronous coordination among agencies working on overseas Vietnamese. Strengthening the effectiveness of the implementation of the regulations on coordination and regular coordination between the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the VFF and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in mobilizing, gathering, and uniting overseas Vietnamese people. 

To realize the goals set by the 13^th Party Congress that, by 2030, Viet Nam will become a developing country with modern industry, middle-high income, and by 2045, a developed and high-income country, it is of great importance to promote the strength of the great national unity and to multiply the aspirations and wills and potentials of the Vietnamese at home and abroad. During that glorious and responsible journey, with its role and mission, the VFF will continue to contribute to strengthening and promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc, including the work on the overseas Vietnamese people to promote the role of an integral part of the Vietnamese ethnic community, a close part associated with the national origin, an important resource contributing to the cause of national construction and defence./.

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(1) Including: Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated March 26, 2004, of the Politburo, "On work for overseas Vietnamese"; Directive No. 45-CT/TW, dated May 19, 2015, of the Politburo, “On continuing to promote the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of the IX Politburo, on the work of overseas Vietnamese in the new situation”; Conclusion No. 12-KL/TW, dated 12/8-2021, of the Politburo, "On overseas Vietnamese work in the new situation"

(2) The Presidium of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, term V, implemented the Project "Strengthening the mobilization of overseas Vietnamese and their relatives overseas"; The Presidium of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, term VII, developed and implemented the Project "Viet Nam Fatherland Front gathers and unites overseas Vietnamese in the new situation"; The Standing Board of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front signed the Joint Resolution No. 01/2010/NQLT-MTTW-UBNVNONN, dated March 3, 2010, on the Regulation on “coordination between the Standing Committee of the Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee with the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese on mobilizing overseas Vietnamese and their relatives”; promulgated Action Program No. 30/CTr-MTTW-BTT, dated October 17, 2012, on “Strengthening dissemination, mobilization, gathering and uniting overseas Vietnamese in the new situation”; signed Program No. 17/CTPH-MTTW-TCTV, on August 18, 2016 with member organizations, on coordination of people diplomacy activities and work for overseas Vietnamese...

(3) From term I to term IX, 86 typical overseas Vietnamese joined the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front

This article was published in the Communist Review No. 989 (May 2022)