The Vietnamese community in India and Nepal convened its first congress at the Vietnamese Embassy in India on June 18 to discuss establishing a General Association of Vietnamese in the two southern Asian nations.

Participants at the congress 

In his remarks at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nepal and Bhutan Ton Sinh Thanh said the event marks a new development for the Vietnamese community in India and Nepal and promotes solidarity among Vietnamese expatriates.

The Vietnamese Government and Embassy treasure overseas Vietnamese and sees them as an inseparable part of the nation, Thanh said, highlighting that the Embassy will protect the rights and interests of the Vietnamese people who are living, working and studying in India and Nepal.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community will respect the laws of the host countries and contribute to ties with India and Nepal.

The ambassador also detailed the country’s development after 30 years of Doi moi (reform) and Vietnam-India relations at the event.

The congress agreed to establish the General Association of Vietnamese in India and Nepal with a seven-member executive board and a three-member advisory board. The association will work to connect the Vietnamese communities in India and Nepal, organise cultural activities and teach Vietnamese to Vietnamese expats’ children.

On the occasion, the Embassy launched a campaign to support the nation’s sea and islands.

VNA