The opening ceremony

VietNamNet Bridge – About 70 young overseas Vietnamese from 22 countries worldwide attended the opening ceremony of Vietnam Summer Camp held this morning, July 19 at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Hanoi.

According to Vice Chairman of the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Nguyen Phu Binh, this summer camp is an opportunity for overseas youth to learn more about Vietnam, including her history, culture, development, achievements and difficulties as well as meet other young Vietnamese.

"The country always thinks about you and Vietnamese communities abroad,” said Mr. Binh at the opening ceremony. After the ceremony, the delegation visited Uncle Ho’s stilt house and the President’s Palace, where they were welcomed by Vice President Truong My Hoa.

Ms. Hoa told the delegation what foreign leaders said about Vietnamese communities abroad. A Swiss leader, for instance, once said, “Though I haven’t been to Vietnam, I already love it through what I know about the Vietnamese community in Switzerland.

The Vietnamese here are lovely, hard working, friendly, attached to their community and have a unique identity.” The Vice President concluded by saying, “It is you and Vietnamese communities abroad that show Vietnam to the world and help foreign friends understand Vietnam.”

The young overseas Vietnamese also expressed their opinions, feelings and hopes. Some said they wanted Vietnam to have more favourable policies for them to return and work here. Others said they hoped the camp would be expanded to include more overseas Vietnamese.

Dinh Hong Van from Australia, who has learned Vietnamese for 2 years right here in Vietnam, said the camp helped her to “understand more about her self and her homeland”. "After this trip, I will return to Australia to tell people about a beautiful Vietnam.

"And in the future, I will come back here to contribute to the development of my home country.” Started 4 years ago, Vietnam Summer Camp is held annually for overseas Vietnamese youth. This year’s camp will take place for 14 weeks in 6 provinces throughout the country.

Phuong Loan