Following his official visit to Russia, Chairman Trong and his delegation arrived in Prague on April 26 to begin their official visit to the Czech Republic.

Later in the evening, Mr Trong called at the Vietnamese Embassy and met with members of the Vietnamese community at the SAPA trade centre. He praised them for having made considerable contributions to the homeland.

Representatives of the embassy and some 2,500 overseas Vietnamese doing business at the centre expressed their delight at Vietnam's tremendous achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and its rising position and role in the region and the world.

They made a number of specific proposals to the NA delegation, including asking the Czech Republic to help the Vietnamese community integrate into Czech society and creating better legal conditions for them to do business in the residence country.

They also asked the NA to revise a number of laws on education, transport and the environment in order to keep pace with global developments.

Around 60,000 Vietnamese people live in the Czech Republic. However, many have been affected by the current global economic crisis and had to return the home country due to rising unemployment in Europe.

During the meeting Mr Trong emphasized that the Party and State of Vietnam always regard the overseas Vietnamese community as an indispensable part of the nation.

Mr Trong is scheduled to have talks with the Chairman of the Czech House of Representatives on April 27.