Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets representatives of the Vietnamese community in Belgium, European countries. (Photo: VNA)

Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union (EU), Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao said that the 13,000-strong community formed in the 1960s regularly meets and organises activities, especially cultural and culinary ones, helping the host country's government and people understand and recognise the image of Vietnamese people who succeed in their careers, integrate well into the community, and maintain their own identity.

Besides promoting Vietnam’s images, culture, and Vietnamese people in the host country, the Vietnamese community in Belgium also actively looks towards the homeland through fundraising activities to support victims of flood and other natural disasters, and Agent Orange, as well as join hands in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Hoang Dinh Thang, President of the Union of Vietnamese in Europe, said that as the EU is an important partner of Vietnam, more exchange and cultural activities should be taken to strengthen relations and promote the country's image in the EU.

Pham Huy Hoang, Chairman of the young Vietnamese intellectuals network in Europe, said that many of them are knowledgeable in fields, especially in those that Vietnam is having high demand, for example innovation, digital transformation, green economy, and circular economy.

He called for financial support for his network and other similar networks so that they can operate effectively and take advantage of the intellectual resources for national construction.

The Prime Minister said that most of the about 5 million overseas Vietnamese living and working in 130 countries around the world are successful, asserting their position and gaining positive assessments from local authorities. He described this as a great pride and priceless assets of the Vietnamese nation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took a photo with representatives of Vietnamese community in Belgium. (Photo: VNA)

He informed the community of achievements in national construction and development, especially those over the past 35 years of the Doi moi (renewal) process, adding that the effective implementation of the “safe adaptation, flexible COVID-19 control” policy since early this year generates positive results in socio-economic recovery.

Prime Minister Chinh hailed the Vietnamese community in Belgium for their contributions to the host country as well as the Vietnam- Belgium relations, and asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and other agencies to further support overseas Vietnamese to overcome difficulties and challenges.