Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang meets generations of overseas Vietnamese in Denmark and Sweden
WVR - On the afternoon of July 8 in the city of Malmo, Sweden, a delegation from the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, held a cordial meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community, associations, experts, and intellectuals in Sweden.
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| Representatives of associations, unions and youth organizations in Sweden welcomed Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and the delegation. |
In attendance at the meeting were Ambassador of Vietnam to Sweden Tran Van Tuan, Ambassador of Vietnam to Denmark Nguyen Le Thanh, and representatives of Vietnamese associations in Sweden, notably Mr. Le Son Ha, a member of the Executive Committee of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe and President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Sweden; along with representatives from the Vietnamese Cultural Association, Vietnamese Women’s Association, Vietnamese Association in Stockholm, Association of Science and Technology Experts, Vietnamese Business Association, Middle and Elderly Association, Trieu Chau Hometown Association, and many other overseas Vietnamese, experts, intellectuals, and students in Sweden.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang shared with overseas Vietnamese the significant transformations taking place in the country, emphasizing that Vietnam is undergoing comprehensive reforms, with a focus on sustainable development, the digital economy, science and technology, and the training of high-quality human resources.
In recent years, the Party and State have issued four important resolutions, including Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, and Resolution 68 of the Politburo on the development of the private economy. These resolutions highlight the important role of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, experts, scientists, and entrepreneurs and call for their active participation in national development efforts in the new era.
Representatives of the associations and the overseas Vietnamese community expressed their joy and emotion at the deep attention from the Party, the State, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many specific opinions and proposals were shared to enhance knowledge exchange, support startups, promote the role of the younger generation, preserve cultural identity, boost people-to-people diplomacy, and strengthen scientific and educational ties between Vietnam and Sweden.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang presents gifts to community representatives in Sweden. (Photo: WVR) |
According to Ambassador Tran Van Tuan, the Vietnamese community in Sweden currently numbers around 22,000 people, mostly living in southern Sweden, especially in the Malmo area. The Vietnamese community in Sweden is considered stable, united, and well-integrated, making positive contributions to the host society while maintaining a strong connection to their homeland.
The event concluded in a warm, heartfelt atmosphere filled with homeland spirit — a vivid reflection of the “connection – companionship – development” bond between the State and the overseas Vietnamese community.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang took a group photo with representatives of associations, unions and communities in Sweden. (Photo: WVR) |
On July 9 in Denmark, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and the delegation continued their working trip with meetings at the Embassy of Vietnam in Denmark with the local Vietnamese community.
At the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Le Thanh reported that the Vietnamese community in Denmark currently has about 17,000 people, leading stable lives, abiding by local laws, and enjoying relatively high levels of education. The Vietnamese are well respected by the Danish for their diligence and successful integration into society. A growing intellectual community has emerged, actively participating in local public life and receiving recognition from the Danish Government, with several individuals achieving notable success.
Community members expressed their pride and happiness at the country’s transformation and expressed their desire to contribute to national development. A representative of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals and Experts in Denmark (AVIDE), which brings together Vietnamese professionals in fields such as healthcare, engineering, automation, technology, and biology, reported on the association’s activities and initiatives since its founding just over a year ago.
With a strong sense of commitment to the homeland, the Vietnamese intellectual community in Denmark is fully aware of its responsibilities in relation to the Party and State’s strategic directions—especially Resolution 57 and General Secretary To Lam’s heartfelt call for “truly special preferential policies” to attract and utilize talent.
AVIDE proposed a concrete model of cooperation to fully unleash the community’s potential: the "Knowledge Satellite Network," built around the core idea that “Contributing doesn’t only mean returning.”
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| Deputy Foreign Minister presents Vietnamese books to community representatives in Denmark. (Photo: WVR) |
The model consists of two main pillars: the first, a “Talent Repatriation Corridor,” and the second, a “Launchpad for On-Site Knowledge Satellites.” To maximize the association’s contribution under the second pillar, AVIDE proposed three initiatives (a green energy bridge, digital transformation in healthcare and society, and a sustainable innovation incubator) and two mechanisms (a financial support mechanism and a connectivity mechanism).
Supporting Vietnamese intellectuals to develop right in Denmark is also a strategic approach to building a global knowledge network — a valuable national resource that contributes to the prosperity of both countries and deepens the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Denmark.
Sharing insights about the Vietnamese community in Denmark, overseas Vietnamese noted that despite challenges over the years, the community remains united, always supporting one another and staying connected to the homeland. Strengthening community bonds going forward is essential, with a call for more flexible and creative forms of engagement.
In addition, overseas Vietnamese proposed and recommended further support for Vietnamese language education, cultural exchange, and assistance for workers coming from Vietnam to Denmark.
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| Scene of the meeting between the Deputy Minister and representatives of associations, unions and communities in Denmark. |
The Embassy of Vietnam in Denmark was also encouraged to organize more cultural activities during major traditional holidays such as Tet and the Mid-Autumn Festival — not only to strengthen community ties but also to help Vietnamese children experience their traditions and cultural identity alongside learning the Vietnamese language.
Listening to the community’s opinions and proposals, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her deep emotion and gratitude to generations of overseas Vietnamese in Denmark, especially the elder members who overcame hardship to build new lives and maintain strong ties with their homeland through concrete ideas and contributions toward national development and strengthening the Vietnamese community in Denmark.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that unity is a source of strength and a tradition of the Vietnamese people. She expressed hope that the community would continue to integrate well into the host society. She also highly appreciated efforts to maintain Vietnamese language classes and supported initiatives by the Embassy and overseas Vietnamese to organize cultural events that connect people and promote Vietnamese culture to Danish friends.
On this occasion, during the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also provided updates on the country’s new policies, including the revised Law on Vietnamese Nationality, which now makes it easier for individuals of Vietnamese origin who have renounced their citizenship to regain Vietnamese nationality.
This marks a significant step reflecting the State’s deep care for the overseas Vietnamese community and aims to create more favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to maintain their connection with and contribute to the homeland.
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| The Deputy Foreign Minister took a group photo with representatives of associations, unions and communities in Denmark. (Photo: WVR) |
The Deputy Minister also informed the community about annual programs such as training courses for Vietnamese language teachers, delegations of overseas Vietnamese visiting Truong Sa, the Homeland Spring program, and especially upcoming activities for overseas Vietnamese as part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.
Denmark is the second stop in Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang’s working visit to three countries — Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands — from July 5 to 13, 2025.
(Source: Embassies of Vietnam in Denmark and Sweden)
