Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe: 10 years of connection, looking towards the future
WVR - Marking its 10th anniversary, the 3rd Congress of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe has identified strengthening solidarity, promoting the role of the younger generation, connecting intellectual and entrepreneurial resources, and enhancing people-to-people diplomacy as key tasks for the 2026-2031 term.
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On November 1, at the Dong Do Event Center in Prague, Czech Republic, the solemn session of the 3rd Congress of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe took place as part of the National Great Unity Day, Vietnam Culture Day in Europe, and activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Union's establishment.
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| Event overview. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The event was attended by Ms. Ha Thi Nga, Member of the Central Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman - General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); representatives of Vietnamese agencies in Europe, along with over 200 delegates from 24 countries and 5 collective members of the Union.
The Congress also saw the participation of Vietnamese Ambassadors to Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and representatives from Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Europe.
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| Delegates attending the event. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
A decade of connection
In his opening remarks, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, emphasized that the presence of domestic leaders, diplomatic representatives, guests, and numerous delegates is a source of encouragement for the organization and the Vietnamese community in Europe.
The Union was established on October 29, 2016, in Prague, with initial participation from Vietnamese associations in 15 countries. After 10 years, the organization has gradually expanded its activities, connecting communities in 23 European countries.
According to Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, despite many challenges, the Union has gradually affirmed its role as a common home, facilitating associations to strengthen connections, share experiences, and collaborate in joint activities. Through this, the organization contributes to preserving national cultural identity, supporting Vietnamese integration in host countries, maintaining ties with the homeland, and promoting friendly relations with European peoples.
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| Ms. Ha Thi Nga, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairwoman - General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, speaks at the event. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Reflecting on the past journey, he highlighted that the achievements are the contributions of many generations of leaders, members, member associations, and community workers across the continent.
In 10 years of operation, the spirit of solidarity has been demonstrated through numerous community support programs, especially during challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and natural disasters in Vietnam and host countries.
Associations, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and volunteers have joined hands to support compatriots, participate in social welfare activities, assist struggling Vietnamese, and connect resources towards the homeland.
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| Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, delivering the opening speech. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Along with community work, cultural activities, Vietnamese language teaching, youth and student exchanges, and promoting Vietnam's image have been maintained in many countries. These programs help the younger generation born and raised abroad understand their roots and enhance the presence of Vietnamese culture in local life.
In her congratulatory speech at the Congress, Ms. Ha Thi Nga acknowledged the efforts of the Union in its journey of building and development, particularly its role in uniting associations, strengthening community solidarity, and fostering a spirit of connection to the homeland.
She highly appreciated the contributions in Covid-19 prevention and control, disaster recovery support, social welfare care, assisting Vietnamese affected by the conflict in Ukraine, and promoting exchanges and cooperation with local people.
According to Ms. Ha Thi Nga, economic fluctuations, employment, and living costs in host countries are impacting the lives of some overseas Vietnamese. This requires associations to continue to play their role, enhancing community support to stabilize lives and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese abroad.
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| Cultural performance at the event. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Promoting young resources
One of the key topics at the Congress was building a successor force, promoting the role of the young Vietnamese generation in Europe. This is also an important direction in the discussions and the Congress's Resolution for the 2026-2031 term.
Ms. Ha Thi Nga suggested that the Union study ways to combine the National Great Unity Day on November 18 with Vietnam Culture Day on November 24 and the Cultural Week in November each year. Additionally, appropriate methods should be devised to attract young people, students, and young intellectuals, especially those born and raised in Europe, to participate in association activities, ensuring the succession and sustainable development of the community.
Regarding intellectual and entrepreneurial resources, she emphasized the need to strengthen connections in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, investment promotion, and trade. The Vietnamese expert and intellectual team, with their experience, knowledge, and international networks, is expected to contribute more directly to the country's development programs and projects.
These orientations were also reflected in the discussions at the Congress. Ms. Nguyen Viet Trieu, Chairwoman of the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Europe, Head of the Women and Children Committee of the Union, proposed building a support network for families and women, with legal advice and social support hubs in each country.
She also suggested enhancing coordination between women's associations and Vietnamese language classes to facilitate parents and children learning together, maintaining the mother tongue; and establishing a Humanitarian - Charity Committee to implement community support programs in a transparent manner.
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| Cultural activities are always prioritized by the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
From the perspective of the younger generation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, Head of the Youth - Student Committee of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, Vice Chairwoman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Czech Republic, proposed making youth work a key task of the new term. Accordingly, grassroots associations should create conditions for young people to participate in specific projects, gradually taking on roles in the executive committee and community activities.
The discussion also proposed building a network of young Vietnamese across Europe, leveraging the resources of the second generation working in local agencies and organizations; enhancing expert connections through the VYSEF and VINEU networks. Maintaining the annual Youth - Student Festival and the VIETLEAD program is seen as one of the ways to create an environment for exchange, capacity development, and connecting the younger generation with association activities.
In the cultural field, Mr. Pham Gia Hau, Head of the Culture - Arts Committee of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, proposed developing an annual cultural activity plan and for the entire term; continuing to maintain and elevate events such as the Vietnamese Culture - Cuisine - Ao Dai Promotion Day, the Mrs. Ao Dai Europe Pageant, and the Traditional Arts Festival, aiming to organize them alternately in different countries.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen connections between cultural and artistic associations, clubs, promoting digital transformation, and gradually moving towards establishing the Union of Vietnamese Cultural and Artistic Associations in Europe. Through this, culture continues to play a role in connecting the community, promoting the image of Vietnam and its people, and enhancing people-to-people diplomacy.
Five key tasks
In the first working session on October 31, the Congress listened to discussions, deliberated, and approved the summary report of the term, the activity direction for the 2026-2031 period, and the amended and supplemented Charter. The Congress agreed to rename the organization to “Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe,” to better reflect the linkage between member associations operating in each country and across the continent.
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| Ms. Ha Thi Nga awarded certificates of merit to individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements in community and association work in Europe. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The amended Charter consists of 9 chapters and 28 articles, identifying two groups of collective members: Vietnamese associations in each country and Vietnamese organizations operating across Europe. These organizations are all direct members, equal in rights and obligations.
The organizational structure has been consolidated, including the Congress, Executive Committee, Standing Committee, Leadership Board, specialized committees, Inspection Committee, and Advisory Council. The term of operation is set at 5 years, along with principles of transparent financial management.
The Congress elected the Executive Committee for the 3rd term, consisting of 74 members, and the Inspection Committee with 3 members. In the first meeting, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang was re-elected as Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe for the 2026-2031 term. The Standing Committee includes 15 members, comprising the Chairman, 6 Vice Chairmen, and 8 Members.
The Congress's Resolution identifies 5 key task groups for the new term. First is building strong grassroots associations, making youth work an important task. Next is caring for families, women, strengthening support networks, and preserving the Vietnamese language in every family.
The remaining three tasks focus on connecting intellectuals and entrepreneurs, supporting community integration and contributing to host societies; promoting cultural activities, people-to-people diplomacy, maintaining key events, and gradually organizing them alternately in different countries; enhancing community communication, implementing the Memorandum of Understanding with the External Television Department, Vietnam Television (VTV4).
At the Congress, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang affirmed that the 3rd Executive Committee is aware of its responsibility before the trust of member associations, and hopes to continue receiving cooperation and support from domestic agencies, Vietnamese Representative Missions in Europe, associations, businesses, and the community.
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| The Leadership Board, Standing Committee, and Executive Committee for the 2026-2031 term introduced at the Congress. With the spirit of “Solidarity - Innovation - Development”. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The Congress also acknowledged the contributions of collectives and individuals in building and developing the Vietnamese community in Europe through commendations from the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
Concluding the solemn session, the Leadership Board, Standing Committee, and Executive Committee for the 2026-2031 term were introduced at the Congress. With the spirit of “Solidarity - Innovation - Development”, the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe aims to continue building on the achievements of the past 10 years, enhancing the effectiveness of association activities, connecting community resources, and creating more opportunities for generations of Vietnamese to participate in building a strong, integrated, and homeland-connected community.
