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For those living far from home, Tet is more than a seasonal transition; it is the moment when memories of the homeland return as vividly as if distance had never existed.
On a long flight from the United Kingdom to Vietnam, the captain’s landing announcement seemed to ease much of Ms. Nguyen Thi Mat’s travel fatigue, a Vietnamese expatriate now in her 90s. Looking out the window, she eagerly awaited her arrival in Hai Phong, hoping to once again see the familiar scenes deeply imprinted in her memory.
After more than 30 years of living in the UK, her only wish has remained unchanged: to return to Hai Phong every year to celebrate Tet.
Ms. Mat shared that in the UK, Tet often passes quickly, marked by a few Vietnamese dishes, several phone calls of greetings, and then a swift return to everyday work. “But at home, Tet has its own unique flavor,” she said emotionally.
For people like Ms. Mat, Tet in the homeland always carries a shared meaning: a time when people return to their roots. Tet is not merely the transition of the seasons; it is an invisible bond connecting Vietnamese hearts, even those living halfway around the world.
Connecting Overseas Vietnamese with the homeland
For many years, Hai Phong has placed strong emphasis on overseas Vietnamese affairs, affirming that expatriates are an inseparable part of the national community, while continuing to preserve the spirit of Tet for residents at home.
According to the city’s Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Association, approximately 87,000 people from Hai Phong are currently living across countries and territories worldwide. In 2024, remittances sent back to the city exceeded 570 million USD, with about 40% invested in production and business activities, 35% in real estate, and the remainder used for consumption, savings, healthcare and other purposes.
The bond between the city and its overseas community extends far beyond seasonal sentiments. It is reinforced through long-term, strategic policies. At meetings with overseas Vietnamese, city leaders consistently express their hope that Hai Phong natives abroad will continue to accompany and contribute to the city’s development. The city also pledges to listen to the aspirations of expatriates and to propose policies that better safeguard their interests in the context of deeper global integration.
The ultimate goal is to build a united, thriving Hai Phong overseas community that remains connected to its homeland while bringing together its resources, intellect and affection in the shared journey of building a civilized, dynamic, modern and globally integrated city.
Hai Phong News
