Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang visits Vietnamese community in Cyprus
WVR - On September 7, as part of her working visit to Cyprus, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang met with the Vietnamese community there.
Latest
Attending the meeting were Ambassador of Vietnam to Italy concurrently accredited to Cyprus Duong Hai Hung, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Cyprus George Christofides; and nearly 40 representatives of Vietnamese associations.
 |
| Deputy Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng speaks at the community meeting. |
Ambassador Duong Hai Hung informed the delegation that the community in Cyprus has maintained a strong spirit of solidarity, striving to integrate and contribute to the local socio-economic life, and has received recognition and high appreciation from the Cypriot authorities.
In addition, in recent years the community has strengthened its bonds with the homeland, organizing numerous cultural promotion and charitable activities, and actively responding to initiatives launched in Vietnam. For example, in 2024 the Vietnamese community in Cyprus donated 20,000 Euros to support compatriots in overcoming the consequences of Typhoon Yagi.
On behalf of the community, Mr. Nguyen Duc Manh, Chairman of the Vietnamese Community Management Board in Cyprus; Ms. Pham Thi Huong Giang, Vice Chairwoman; and Ms. Phung Thi Quyen, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Workers’ Community in Cyprus, reported on the activities of their associations in recent times.
The community began forming around 2013 and now numbers about 6,000 people, mainly living in major cities such as Nicosia, Limassol, and Paros.
Vietnamese associations such as the Community Management Board, the Charity Committee, the Cultural and Arts Committee, the Hai Duong Fellow Countrymen Association, and the Vietnamese Workers’ Community in Cyprus have been established and operate actively with the goals of solidarity, mutual assistance, preserving Vietnamese cultural identity, and serving as a bridge between the community, the Embassy, and local authorities.
Community members affirmed that although far from home, they always follow events occurring in Vietnam and are proud of the nation’s growing stature, while expressing appreciation for the attention and care given by the Party and State to overseas Vietnamese.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that her visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cyprus (1975–2025). She noted that this was also the first delegation working specifically with the growing Vietnamese community in Cyprus within just a few years.
The Deputy Minister conveyed warm sentiments from the homeland on the occasion of Vietnam’s major national celebrations, especially the recent 80th National Day anniversary on September 2. She praised the community’s determination and efforts to integrate into local society and affirmed that they are increasingly recognized in Cyprus.
Thanks to diligence, hard work, and adaptability, many Vietnamese in Cyprus have overcome challenges and now enjoy stable, prosperous lives. The Deputy Minister encouraged the community to continue abiding by local laws, focusing on business and livelihood, promoting solidarity and mutual support, and building a strong and united community with a firm place in Cypriot society, thereby contributing to a positive image of Vietnam and its people abroad.
Highlighting the importance of preserving Vietnamese traditions and language for future generations, she stressed that this effort must begin within each family to maintain connections with their roots in Vietnam.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister shared with the community the socio-economic development achievements and international integration progress of Vietnam. She reaffirmed that the Party and Government always care about the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese and are working to provide increasingly favorable policies for them to stay connected with the homeland.
She also invited community members to return to Vietnam to participate in events organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, such as the Homeland Spring program, delegations of overseas Vietnamese attending the Hung Kings Commemoration, visits to Truong Sa Island district, the Summer Camp for Vietnamese youth abroad, and training courses for Vietnamese-language teachers.
The Deputy Minister presented the community with Vietnamese-language teaching materials, history and culture books, and national flags for use in cultural promotion activities.
Earlier during her trip, she also visited the office of the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Cyprus.
 |
| Deputy Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng takes a commemorative photo with the community. |
In a warm and cordial atmosphere, Honorary Consul George Christofides expressed his honor to welcome the delegation led by Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.
Since his appointment as Honorary Consul of Vietnam in 2012, he has continuously acted as a bridge between the community and local authorities, supported legal matters, accompanied the community in cultural promotion activities, and closely cooperated with the Embassy to safeguard the legitimate rights of Vietnamese workers.
Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed deep appreciation for the sincere affection and wholehearted support for Vietnam from Mr. George Christofides and his wife.
As Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Cyprus and a close friend of Vietnam, Mr. George Christofides has initiated many activities contributing to the practical and effective development of bilateral relations.
In particular, for the Vietnamese community in Cyprus, he has consistently supported community activities with dedication and effectiveness, earning great respect and affection from the community.
The delegation also visited several Vietnamese-owned businesses in Cyprus. Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang praised the dynamism and adaptability of the entrepreneurs and encouraged them to actively promote, distribute, and consume Vietnamese goods abroad.
Some highlights from the visit:
 |
| Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang presents Vietnamese books to the community. |
 |
| A cultural performance by the Vietnamese community. |
 |
 |
| The delegation visits the office of the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Cyprus. |
 |
| The delegation visits a Vietnamese business in Cyprus. |
 |
| Ms. Đặng Hồng Vân, a Vietnamese in Cyprus, presents a painting to Deputy Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng. |
 |
| Ms. Dang Hong Van, a Vietnamese in Cyprus, presents a newly composed poem to Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang. |
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Italia and Cyprus)
