(VNA) - Overseas Vietnamese in Switzerland gathered at a function hosted by Viet Nam ’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva , on Feb. 9 to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).
Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan spoke highly of positive contributions made by the local Vietnamese community to socio-economic development of both Switzerland and Viet Nam , and fostering cooperative relations between the two nations.
The diplomat urged overseas Vietnamese in general and in Switzerland and adjacent areas in particular to contribute more to the homeland’s development.
The same day, the Embassy of Viet Nam in New Zealand held a function to greet the Year of the Rat in the presence of more than 200 overseas Vietnamese and representatives from local agencies and businesses.
Ambassador to New Zealand Vuong Hai Nam took the occasion to reiterate the country’s consistent policy towards Vietnamese living abroad.
This year’s Tet was also marked by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Belgium on Feb. 10 with the participation of numerous Vietnamese people who are residing, studying or working in Belgium , the Netherlands , Luxembourg, France and Germany .
Meanwhile, representatives from the Italy-Viet Nam Solidarity Committee in Lompardia joined more than 200 Vietnamese residents in northern Italy at a New Year party held in Milan on Feb. 10.
Vietnamese residing in New Delhi and adjacent areas gathered at a meeting hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy on February 9 to welcome the Year of the Rat.
Diplomats from Laos , Cambodia , Venezuela and India and representatives of Indian businesses which are operating in Viet Nam attended the meeting.
The same day, the Vietnamese Association in France hosted a New Year party with the presence of Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai and Ambassador to the UNESCO Van Nghia Dung.
Secretary General of the association Bui Thanh Tung affirmed that the Vietnamese community in France always keeps a strong attachment to their homeland.
Over the past year, the association raised 18,600 euros to support victims of floods and disasters in Viet Nam . It also organised charitable activities for Agent Orange victims and disadvantaged students.
Tung also praised the State’s policies towards overseas Vietnamese community, especially the application of visa exemption as of last September.
Also on the occasion of the Lunar New Year festival, the Vietnamese Student Association at Leeds University, the UK, has organised the “Vietnamese Day 2008” to introduce Vietnamese culture to foreign friends.
The Vietnamese Solidarity and Friendship Association, the Vietnamese Women Association and the Vietnamese Business Association in Poland held a get-together on February 5 to celebrate Tet.
The Vietnamese community in Iran ushered in the traditional new year with foreign friends at a meeting hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy.
Chairman of the Iran-Viet Nam Friendship Association Sajjadi took the occasion to wish for better bilateral ties.
In Libya , Vietnamese Ambassador Do Ba Khoa paid a visit to Vietnamese workers working at a construction site in Tripoli on February 8.
Tet was also celebrated among Vietnamese community in Chile on the eve of February 5.

Overseas Vietnamese welcome traditional Tet festival