Hanoi (VNA) - President Tran Dai Quang beat the drum to kick off the Xuan QueHuong (Homeland Spring) 2018 festival in the evening of February 7, welcominga delegation of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) who returned home to enjoy the LunarNew Year (Tet).

The delegation included 90 delegates from 25 countries and territoriesworldwide, representing 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese living in 109 foreignnations and territories. 

Addressing the programme, President Quang highlighted Vietnam’s majorachievements in various fields and extended warmest Tet greetings toOVs and applauded their contributions to building and developing the country aswell as strengthening solidarity among Vietnamese expats and promoting theirintegration into host nations. 

“2017 was the first time in many years we completed and exceeded all 13socio-economic development targets set by the National Assembly,” he said,noting that macroeconomic stability, inflation under control, budget revenuesand large balances of the economy were guaranteed. GDP growth reached 6.81 percent while export-import turnover reached 425 billion USD, the highest figureever.

The President also briefed the OVs about the success of the APEC Vietnam Year2017 and the 25th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

“We have successfully completed the role of host, making history in the processof economic integration of the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating the statureand wisdom of Vietnamand contributing to strengthening cooperation with other countries in theregion, major partner countries and traditional friends,” he said.

He stressed that the overseas Vietnamese community was consistently consideredan integral part of the nation, adding that the Party and Government wouldcontinue supporting and creating favourable conditions for OVs to integrateinto host countries and make further contributions to nationaldevelopment. 

Earlier the same day, President Quang and the delegation of OVs offered incenseto commemorate late President Ho Chi Minh at House 67 in the presidentialhistorical relic site in Hanoi. 

The activity took place to celebrate the 88th founding anniversary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam (February 3) and the upcoming Tet (LunarNew Year) holiday which falls on February 16. 

President Quang, his spouse and the delegates then released carp into UncleHo’s fish pond to observe the traditional Kitchen God Day ahead of the LunarNew Year. 

The same day, the State leader and his spouse also offered incense to ancestorswho died to defend the country at the Kinh Thien Palace in the imperial citadel of ThangLong.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucalso had separate receptions to the delegation of overseas Vietnamese onFebruary 7.-VNA