A special Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic

TIN LIÊN QUAN
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Delegates at the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic.

Recently, in the capital city of Prague, the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic and its branches, groups across the nation have solemnly celebrated the 20^th anniversary of its establishment. The Association has the right to be proud of traditions of the community which was formed since the 50s of the last century and always considered by the local government to be hard working, dynamic, law abiding and contributive to the economy, society and culture.

Visiting, working and sharing with the Vietnamese community on this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong who is also the Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, recognized remarkable efforts of the Association generally and many generations of its leaders particularly in founding and promoting a strong and united movement which has influence on the Vietnamese communities in other European countries.

Attractive activities

The Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic was established on 15^th November 1999 in Prague on the basis of a decision of the Czech Ministry of Interior. Following this, on 1^st March 2000, then Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Doan Thang issued the decision to recognize the Association as the legal, official and highest representative organization of the Vietnamese community here. After 20 years, the Association has established 41 grassroots branches, 10 provincial branches and nearly 30 collective members, including 12 provincial associations of countrymen.

Currently, with about 70,000 members, the Vietnamese community is growing and integrating deeply into the host country. Dr. Nguyen Duy Nhien – the Association’s Chairman, said: “People here have gradually removed barriers of language, familiarized with customs and practices, obeyed laws, shared with native people in difficult times. They are considered by the local government and people as a community that brought about benefits to the Czech Republic.”

Also according to Chairman Nhien, during the Association’s development over the last 20 years, it has always preserved and promoted the traditional ties between the two peoples, organized practical activities to strengthen friendship and support the homeland.

In fact, the Czech people have become more knowledgeable and concerned about Vietnamese culture, people and country with impression and affection.

This achivement came from many events to promote Vietnamese culture, customs, tourism which had been held in almost localities, contributing to enhancing the role and position of the Vietnamese community. A lot of community activities such as Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe, “I love my mother tongue” contest,… did not only attract the participation of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic, but also spread to the Vietnamese communities in many other countries around the world.

Overseas people have been always interested in teaching and learning Vietnamese, encouraged their second and third generations to learn Vietnamese culture and achieve high results in research and learning.

Additionally, the Association created connections and exchanges between researchers, scientists in the community, at the same time actively promoted the struggle to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty over islands and supported the homeland.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong, the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic has built a beautiful image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam. Especially, the Association has had many meaningful and effective activities to spread the solidarity spirit and mutual affection in the Vietnamese community.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong offered the awards of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese for outstanding members of the Association.

Proud of exemplary Vietnamese quality

During his visit to the Czech Republic in April this year, at the intimate meeting with Vietnamese people here, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is a good example of solidarity and love for the homeland. The Prime Minister was especially moved when witnessing Vietnamese people here supported each other, determined to overcome difficulties, built a stable life, integrated into the local society and wholeheartedly concerned about the homeland.

At the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the Association, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Phung Khanh Tai said that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is a typical example of building a community, acting as a bridge of economic, cultural, scientific, educational and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

On this occasion, the Association was honoured to receive the 2^nd class Labor Medal of Party’s Secretary General and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Many groups and individuals of the Association were also awarded with certificates of merit from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Entering the new term of 2019-2024, the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic identified many important tasks such as completing personnel, promoting the spirit of solidarity, encouraging and gathering those who are working in science, research and teaching at universities, expanding relations with the local government as well as foreigners’ organizations and associations, responding and actively participating in the homeland’s foreign affairs events.

The Association also prioritized activities supporting the homeland, especially high humane programs as well as the struggle for the nation’s sovereignty of territory.

“Since its establishment, the Association has set a very clear goal of how to help our people to integrate into the host country most quickly and conveniently. Currently, we set another goal of always being an exemplary ethnic minority in the Czech Republic who carrying the proud of Lac Hong blood of Vietnam”, Chairman Nhien said.

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