The meeting is scheduled to be held in 2009 with the aim of strengthening solidarity among the Vietnamese communities abroad as well as encouraging them to further contribute to the homeland.

According to Nguyen Thanh Son, acting president of the COVA, the Prime Minister has issued a decree to boost the implementation of the Government’s action programme on overseas Vietnamese, increase the awareness of ministries, agencies and localities of this issue and protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese nationals abroad in line with international treaties and laws.

The move aims to create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to stabilize life, study the Vietnamese language and get a better understanding of the homeland’s cultures and religions, Mr Son added.