In late March 2024, Paris became the focal point for Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin intellectuals and professionals from over 20 countries who were gathering for the Vietnamese Global Leaders Forum 2024 (VGLF 2024).
This assembly symbolized a concerted effort to leverage the global Vietnamese diaspora’s potential in addressing Vietnam’s contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng, in her message to the forum, highlighted the critical role of the Vietnamese diaspora in the nation’s recent achievements amidst global economic, political, and security instabilities. She noted that the country’s resilience and growth owe significantly to contributions from abroad, emphasizing the diaspora’s integral role in Vietnam’s socio-economic development and national security.
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Resolution No. 36 by the Politburo on overseas Vietnamese affairs, underscoring the diaspora’s importance as an inseparable and vital part of the Vietnamese community.
This resolution has facilitated stronger connections and contributions from Vietnamese living abroad, reinforcing their positions in their resident countries while contributing to Vietnam’s development.
The forum, organized by the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global), served as a melting pot of ideas and aspirations, aiming to forge actionable plans for sustainable and prosperous future development.
Speakers, including Vietnam’s Ambassador to France Đinh Toàn Thắng and AVSE Global’s Chairman Nguyễn Đức Khương, echoed the sentiment of mobilizing the intellectual, technological, and financial resources of the Vietnamese diaspora.
Discussions at VGLF 2024 revolved around “Vietnam—Thriving Amidst Turbulence,” which focused on the nation’s challenges and potential in the unpredictable global landscape. Proposals were made to harness the diaspora’s talent and resources to elevate Vietnam’s position on the global economic and geopolitical map.
The forum’s insights into sectors like clean energy, wind power, electric vehicles, and batteries point towards a strategic direction for Vietnam’s ambition to become a prosperous nation by 2050.
This vision requires a concerted focus on sustainable development and innovation, areas where the Vietnamese diaspora can play a pivotal role. I also spoke on a panel about the ‘Brand Vietnam’ directive and some of the challenges and opportunities in that space.
VGLF 2024, the second of its kind following the inaugural forum in Paris in 2019, underscores the ongoing efforts to tap into the knowledge and expertise of the global Vietnamese diaspora. As Vietnam navigates a period of significant change, the collective strength and contributions of its global community are more crucial than ever in realizing the nation’s development aspirations.
This event not only highlights the importance of the Vietnamese diaspora in the country’s progress but also sets a precedent for future engagements, ensuring that the global Vietnamese community remains a cornerstone in Vietnam’s journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future.