VOVNews interviewed Phan Tham, Chairman of the HCM City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese on its activities.

Reporter: Could you share what HCM City has experiences in the past six years of implementing the Party Political Bureau’s Resolution 36 on overseas Vietnamese - related affairs?

Mr Tham: The Resolution presents alternative viewpoints and new methods to approach overseas Vietnamese. Over the past six years, we have drawn a lot of experience from our activities.

In HCM City, we have approached overseas Vietnamese by launching a television channel – VTV4 and website or communicating with themselves and their relatives by email.

In recent times, the Party and the State adopted appropriate policies to support the activities of overseas Vietnamese. To bring these policies to fruition, it is essential to enhance the responsibilities and professional skills of those involved in overseas Vietnamese - related work.

Right after the Resolution 36 was issued, we proposed to the city’s Party Committee and People’s Committee that there should be co-ordinated efforts by relevant agencies such as customs and aviation to change methods of approaching and supporting overseas Vietnamese who wish to return home, especially those registering for the first time. As a result, we have closely co-ordinated with such agencies to build a professional staff with a high sense of responsibility to help overseas Vietnamese go through the necessary formalities.

HCM City is a place where many organizations such as the Liaisons Association, Business Association, Overseas Vietnamese Business Association, and Science and Technology Club have been set up.

Reporter: At a recent conference to review six years of implementing the resolution 36, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (COVA) emphasized that one of the key tasks is to counter wrongful allegations by opposition groups running counter to the interests of the nation. How will HCM City do to fulfill this task in the coming period?

Mr Tham: We have realized that the most important thing is to carry out overseas Vietnamese - related affairs well through practical approaches to win their trust and support.

Moreover, it is necessary to provide overseas Vietnamese with updated information on the real developments in the homeland to make them better understand the advantages and disadvantages facing the country. This will put hostile forces in a weak position unable to distort the situation and mislead the public.

Reporter: The State has adopted “open-door” policies aimed at facilitating the activities of overseas Vietnamese. However, some people say that there remain some snags in the implementation of these policies. What is your opinion?

Mr Tham: The main problem in some areas is that relevant agencies need to provide clear guidelines on how to implement such policies. For example, the Housing Law issued in 2004 has received huge applause from overseas Vietnamese who wish to buy houses back home. However, the processing of necessary procedures is slow-going. So far, just 140 overseas Vietnamese have been able to buy houses in Vietnam.

Even now, putting into practice Decree 71 on housing is still fraught with difficulty. For example, under the decree, to own a house in Vietnam, overseas Vietnamese have to reside in Vietnam for three months or more. However, some people, who have their visa exemption for 90 days, are not eligible to buy any house because when their visa expires, it is still less than three months.

HCM City has tried its best to get rid of cumbersome formalities. For example, two years ago, HCM City arranged for some overseas Vietnamese PHD holders and foreign experts to hold some leadership positions at some scientific research institutes in the city. The city only needs oversea Vietnamese to work in the country for two and three months, not for the whole year and they still enjoy a monthly salary of VND10-15 million per month.

Reporter: Apart from implementing such policies to support overseas Vietnamese. In which areas can HCM City tap the strengths so that they can make greater contributions to the city’s development?

Mr Tham: HCM City is a cultural, economic and social centre in Vietnam. Therefore, we have always treasured the contributions of overseas Vietnamese to developing the city and encourage intellectuals and businesses to invest in the city. Currently, Phu My Bridge Company of expatriate Vietnamese is engaged in building roads and bridges including Phu My bridge. Overseas Vietnamese are also actively involved in projects to protect the environment and transfer technologies.

The city has a plan to step up activities through the Business Association and Science and Technology club. So far, it has attracted more than 450 intellectuals to work for the country.

Reporter: Thank you.