More than 1,000 Vietnamese expatriates from over 100 different countries gathered at the Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) cultural event in Ly Thai To Square in Ha Noi's central Hoan Kiem district on February 3 evening to celebrate the upcoming Tet holiday.

  State President Truong Tan Sang and the representatives gathered

at the "Xuan Que Huong 2013" program

The event, which features performances from Vietnamese artists from all over the world, takes place every year to welcome those returning home for the country's biggest holiday.

 At the event, President Truong Tan Sang expressed his appreciation for the contributions of overseas Vietnamese towards social and business activities as well as humanitarian aid.

 He also extended warm regards to the four million Vietnamese living in all corners of the world.

 Sang stressed the significance of UNESCO's recognition of the Hung Kings' worshipping rite - the main theme for the Homeland Spring event - as one of the world's intangible cultural heritages of humanity.

 Nguyen Trong Viet, a Vietnamese businessman living in Russia, said he came back every year to celebrate the lunar new year and to attend "Homeland Spring."

Viet said the event was not only enjoyable but also offered good opportunities to make Vietnamese friends and find business partners from different parts of the world.

Vietnamese welcome Lunar New Year overseas

 Meanwhile, the overseas Vietnamese community also celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Snake.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada held a New Year get-together for overseas Vietnamese in Canada and Canadian families that have adopted Vietnamese children last Saturday.

At the event, Ambassador Le Sy Vuong Ha informed participants about the up-coming inauguration of the Vietnam Consulate General in Vancouver. He also thanked the Canadian families for caring for their adopted Vietnamese children.

Canadian Senator Pierre Huges Boivenue extended his best wishes to Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada. Canada treasures its relations with Viet Nam, particularly this year as both countries prepare for the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, he said.

 On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) held a Tet celebration for Vietnamese living in the country.

President of the RoK-Vietnam Friendship Association Lee Hee Yeon said he will continue to boost the two countries' friendly and cooperative ties.

On Friday, around 500 Vietnamese people gathered at a Tet celebration held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, which was attended by Singaporean Deputy Foreign Minister Simon Wong and Lao Ambassador to Singapore Vengsavanh Sipaseuth.

 Vietnamese embassies in Indonesia, Laos, Italy and Belgium and Vietnamese Consulate Generals in Sydney (Australia), Houston (the US), Hong Kong and Ma Cau (China), as well as the Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations, also held get-togethers to welcome Tet./.

CPV