Everyone Turns to the Homeland

3:26:43 PM | 7/8/2005

This is the conclusion of Mr Phan Thanh, President of the Association of Overseas Vietnamese. To the backdrop of his eco-tourism centre of five hectares in District 2, HCMC, Mr Thanh discussed with VIB Forum on the activities of the association and comments of overseas Vietnamese investing in Vietnam.

Could you give some introduction of your association?

The association was established in 1999 with 30 members and has increased now to 150 members, coming mostly from the United States, Germany, France, Japan and Canada. Their business activities are varied: restaurants, tourism, production of plastics, fine art articles, aquaculture and especially in exporting Vietnamese products The association creates opportunities for the members to meet, exchange information on Vietnamese law and investment environment. When reaching a common position, we recommend the authorities to remove constraints in our business activities. We also participate in the charity programmes of the city.

What are the thoughts and aspirations of overseas Vietnamese ?

With the association, we can meet and share our information, experiences and thinking. Therefore, I can to some extent understand them. Most of them want to return to Vietnam. Returning home, besides to relatives, friends and their native land, they have also great potential for investment in Vietnam. Some have been successful and are calling friends to join them, especially when Vietnam is accelerating the economic integration with favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese. Some even call it “a bumper crop” for overseas Vietnamese. I personally think that even though the Americans are already involved, there is no reason why Vietnamese should remain indifferent to the national reconstruction.

What is the role of the association in the business activities of its members?

The association has operated strictly to its statute and goals, protecting the legitimate interests of its members and removing some of their constraints. The association has also organised several meetings and provides consulting service free of charge to the members on the law and information on investment projects.

Do you and the association have any recommendation on investment policy in Vietnam?

We hope that the State will continue to improve the investment environment. The central government down to local authorities must comply with policy and directives concerning overseas Vietnamese as well as Resolution 36 of the Party Central Committee. The visa question should be improved. It is also important to give more freedom to overseas Vietnamese to buy houses in Vietnam. It is convenient for the returnees and beneficial for the homeland as they will spend more in Vietnam, just as the plan of trying to attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.