State President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese expat community in the UK on May 4. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long said there are approximately 100,000 Vietnamese living, studying, and working across the UK, mostly in London.

He unveiled that the embassy and overseas Vietnamese associations are implementing a series of plans and programmes to introduce Vietnamese in London and several other major cities in the UK in marking the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023.

President Vo Van Thuong and Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long. (Photo: VNA)

Expressing his delight at the strong growth of the group and their associations in the host nation, the State President said their operations have helped boost the role and position of Vietnamese people in the UK and make effective contributions to Vietnam’s development and the nurturing of the Vietnam-UK friendship.

He also lauded the communities’ activities toward the homeland, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and for charity programmes.

President Vo Van Thuong gives presents to the Vietnamese Association in the UK. (Photo: VNA)

President Vo Van Thuong gives present to the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the United Kingdom and Ireland. (Photo: VNA)

Highlighting Vietnam’s consistent foreign diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance and openness and the significance of the Vietnam-UK relations, the President said the sides are stepping up cooperation in all fields toward an upgrade of their ties in the time to come.

President Vo Van Thuong delivers speech at the gathering. (Photo: VNA)

The UK has many areas of strength and potential for the promotion of the bilateral collaboration such as industry, education, finance, currency, and pharmaceuticals, he noted.

He affirmed his current visit aims to consolidate and reinforce the nations’ ties, political trust, and cooperation across all sectors.