Overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs: A bridge to Fatherland

Where the heart lies

In recent years, the overseas Vietnamese business communities have significantly developed and played increasingly important roles in their respective countries, while continuing to assist in trade promotion activities, connecting with Vietnamese domestic businesses and officials.

Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, President of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia, Vice President of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association. (Photo: Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia)

Living and working overseas could not stop many Vietnamese entrepreneurs in becoming important bridges, connecting communities, promoting trade and investment, even returning to the fatherland in times of need… Among such dedicated people was Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, President of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia, Vice President of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association.

Mr. Do Xuan Hoang graduated from college in the former Soviet Union in 1991 and took his economic Ph.D in the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1998. Apart from his successful business career, Mr. Hoang also actively participated in community activities. A founder of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia and a commissioner of the Central Committee of the Fatherland Front, he occasionally hosted and attended activities promoting the integrity of the nation.

During his official visit to Russia from September 25-28, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son have awarded the former’s merit to Mr. Hoang for his great contributions to the Vietnamese overseas community, outstanding achievement in organizing, implementing peaceful and friendship projects to further the people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Notably, the recent project of “All for Viet Nam” initiated by the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia under his leadership has gathered over 10 million Rubles (approx. 3 billion VND) from 13.000 individuals and 13 companies to support the COVID-19 prevention and responses in the fatherland.

In other European countries, along with usual community activities, many overseas Vietnamese businessmen such as Mr. Hoang Xuan Binh – President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Poland, Mr. Vu Van Long – President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Germany… have also actively established connections and promoted trades, economic activities for Viet Nam.

As the President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Europe, Mr. Hoang Manh Khe stated that he and other overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs were always ready to become retailers to represent Vietnamese products in Europe. The Association has planned to host business forums in different European countries, with hope that these would present opportunities for quality Vietnamese products to appear in foreign markets.

With burning passions of elevating the standing of overseas Vietnamese, the young businessman Hoang Dinh Toan established his own business in 2008, which has become a major company in Czech Republic. The establishment of Tamda Foods has timely met the demands of products from vast network of Vietnamese retailers across the country and became a go-to business of overseas Vietnamese in Europe.

Standing together with the fatherland

According to the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, there are approximately 3,000 overseas Vietnamese enterprises currently invested in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of 4 billion USD in 52 provinces and cities.

Overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs have invested in Viet Nam mainly originated from the US, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Switzerland…

Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, Vice President of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese (BAOOV). (Photo: Tuan Anh)

A prime example is Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, a well-known overseas Vietnamese scientist with 280 patents in the US, Canada and other countries. Nevertheless, after 20 years living and working abroad, he decided to return to his fatherland to invest in constructing a high technology factory in Tra Vinh, creating jobs for 800 local workers, building facilities, further contributing to health and education…

Over the years, Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, Vice President of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese (BAOOV) has promoted applications of high technology in agriculture, including production of smart fertilizer, smart pests monitor system utilizing artificial intelligence, saltwater monitor system, network of hot food vending machines, Internet of Things devices (locks, water clocks…). Specifically, he has also created and co-founded 9 high technology businesses, 7 of those based in Tra Vinh.

Similarly, with such enthusiasm, as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged Viet Nam, Dr. Tran Ngoc Phuc, President of Metran medical equipment company (Japan) has transferred ventilators technology to his fatherland. Occasionally visited Viet Nam, as the Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Japan, he has continued to assist in the transfer of medical equipment from Japan’s hospitals to the country.

Companions in hardship

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam has received robust, meaningful supports from the overseas Vietnamese communities. Pioneering activities from well-known businessmen such as Mr. Jonathan Hanh Nguyen (Philippines), Mr. Pham Minh Nam (UK), Mr. David Duong (US), Mrs. Truong Thi Thu Huong (China)… have greatly assisted the country in time of hardship.

Along with physical contributions, other businessmen such as Mr. Nguyen Ngoc My (Australia), Mr. Nguyen Hoai Bac (Canada)… even voluntarily lended their facilities in Viet Nam to quarantine COVID-19-related cases. The Steve Bui and Friends’ foundation, businessman Le Thanh Binh (Poland)… also provided medical equipment supporting frontline COVID-19 doctors and workers.

Apart from individuals, the BAOOV also fulfilled its responsibility of attracting overseas Vietnamese resources to promote domestic economic development, along with contributing to a strong, prosperous overseas Vietnamese community.

Standing Vice President, General Secretary of BAOOV Peter Hong. (Photo: VNA)

In the midst of the pandemic, standing Vice President, General Secretary of BAOOV Peter Hong had written a letter to rally overseas businessmen in accompanying Viet Nam in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Mr. Peter Hong, under the motto of “love for our people, gratitude for our brethren”, overseas Vietnamese businessmen have effectively contributed in the program “Nation joins hand to combat COVID-19” of the Central Committee of the Fatherland Front and supported the COVID-19 vaccine fund. These activities have been highly regarded by the Party and Government leaders.

For his part, Mr. Hong stated that BAOOV’s activities focused on pressing issues such as connecting Viet Nam with vaccine, treatment drugs and medical equipment supplies, along with assisting the livelihood of citizens… Among those was a program calling on businessmen to focus on exploring competitive advantages at their respective countries, further promoting access of Viet Nam to vaccine supplies, contributing in the Government, the Ministry of Health’s efforts in accelerating the vaccine campaign, creating herd immunity so Viet Nam can return to the “new normal” as soon as possible.

Prime Minister offers congratulations on Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has sent a letter to businesspersons nationwide, congratulating them on the occasion of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13).

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