(VOVworld) – President Truong Tan Sang has praised 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese (OVs) for their contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2013. He made the commendation at Thursday’s art performance called “Homeland Spring”, attended by 2,000 overseas Vietnamese returning home for Tet.

The "Homeland Spring" is held annually for Overseas Vietnamese returning to Vietnam for Tet holiday. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event at the Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi, Sang said OVs contributed to the great national unity which helped Vietnam gain such achievements as recovering the economy, stabilizing socio-politics, improving living conditions, ensuring national defense, and securing a higher world status. Sang said: "Socio-economic fluctuations in other countries last year caused difficulties for the Vietnamese living there, but they used with creativity and industriousness to stabilize their lives. While integrating into the community of residence, OVs tightened links among themselves and preserved their national identity. They always keep their hearts aligned toward the homeland."

Sang reiterated the unswerving policy of the Party and State to consider OVs an inseparable part of the Vietnamese community. Many policies on OVs were issued and, for the first time, stated in the Constitution adopted by the 13^th National Assembly. This firm legal foundation encourages people living in Vietnam and abroad to promote national strength.

Sang was confident that this strength, together with foreign assistance, will help the Vietnamese people defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve prosperity. The President wished a warm, happy Tet holiday to OVs returing to Vietnam on this occasion and health, happiness, and success to Vietnamese still living far away.