The 14th Vietnam Business Forum in Europe brought together delegates, including entrepreneurs, association leaders, experts, intellectuals, and representatives from Vietnamese Trade Offices across various European countries – Image: VGP/Việt Anh
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As Vietnam and its diaspora worldwide gear up for the 2026 National Unity Day, the spirit of solidarity and reverence for roots is more vibrant than ever. This occasion transcends mere gatherings, symbolizing the deep-rooted bond, pride, and aspirations of Vietnamese people abroad.
From Humble Beginnings to Integration Resilience
In the 1990s, as Eastern European economies transitioned post-subsidy, tens of thousands of Vietnamese—many former workers, students, and interns—chose to stay, embarking on a challenging journey of survival. They toiled in markets and small workshops, learning languages and adapting to new societies.
From these tentative steps emerged a pioneering class of Vietnamese entrepreneurs, armed not with vast capital but with Vietnamese ingenuity and determination. They paved the way for future generations, laying the foundation for a professional and sustainable Vietnamese business community in the EU.
Today, Vietnamese enterprises in the EU have expanded beyond small trade and traditional restaurants. From services, construction, IT, and e-commerce to logistics and agricultural exports, Vietnamese in the EU have thrived, creating a diverse, dynamic, and deeply integrated economic community within the EU market.
Notably, in the Czech Republic, home to over 100,000 Vietnamese—the third-largest community in the country—Vietnamese entrepreneurs have not only achieved economic success but also established a “model community”: law-abiding, internally united, and actively engaged in social activities. Many Czech localities recognize the Vietnamese as an integral part of their multicultural society.
Unity – The Core of Community Strength
This strength stems from solidarity—a core value permeating all activities of the Vietnamese community in Europe. Within each association and business group, the spirit of “leaves sheltering torn leaves” endures. When one business faces difficulties, others readily offer support. When an event is organized in one locality, compatriots from neighboring countries join in.
Events like the Vietnam Business Forum in the EU, “Vietnamese Goods Week in the EU,” and Vietnamese cultural-culinary festivals in Prague, Paris, and Berlin serve not only as trade platforms but also as opportunities for connection, experience sharing, and navigating new paths in a rapidly changing global economy.
Many first-generation entrepreneurs—who overcame countless early challenges—now act as community leaders, mentoring younger generations. They impart not only business acumen but also the spirit of “Vietnamese anywhere are still Vietnamese,” preserving integrity, reputation, and mutual support.
Across the EU, from the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, to Slovakia, France, and Belgium, Vietnamese business associations share a common goal: sustainable development through connectivity. Online forums, trade conferences, and collaborative projects with Vietnamese Trade Offices, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and local organizations have created a vast network where each enterprise is a vital link in the “Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in Europe” tapestry.
The 14th Vietnam Business Forum in Europe not only facilitated experience sharing and cooperation opportunities but also united generations of entrepreneurs, strengthening Vietnamese identity in an integrated environment – Image: VGP/Việt Anh |
A Bridge Between the Diaspora and the Homeland
Beyond business success, Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the EU serve as “economic and cultural ambassadors” for Vietnam. They bring Vietnamese products to the world, promoting a modern, friendly, and integrated image of Vietnam.
Vietnamese Trade Offices and embassies in EU countries play a crucial role in this process—providing information, connecting partners, and supporting businesses in trade fairs and economic forums.
In the Czech Republic, the Vietnamese Trade Office has collaborated with the Vietnamese Business Association in the Czech Republic, the Vietnamese Association, and member organizations to host seminars, trade promotion talks, and guide diaspora businesses in navigating new EU policies. Conversely, business associations act as extensions of the Trade Office, gathering market insights and sharing information on demands, barriers, and consumer trends.
This “State-Business-Community” relationship forms a sustainable development triangle. The state provides policy frameworks and connections; businesses implement practical solutions; and the community supports and amplifies efforts.
On numerous occasions, the Prime Minister of Vietnam and leaders of various ministries have acknowledged: “Vietnamese businesses in the EU are a robust bridge fostering cooperation between Vietnam and host countries.”
The 2026 National Unity Day – A Symbol of Faith and Aspiration
In 2026, for the first time, the National Unity Day of Vietnamese in Europe will be held abroad, with Prague (Czech Republic) as the focal point. This milestone underscores the role of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic—one of Europe’s most exemplary communities—and demonstrates the Party and State’s commitment to the diaspora.
The event is not just a cultural exchange but a celebration of faith and the deep bond between expatriates and the homeland.
Vietnamese businesses in the EU continue to lead, sponsoring, contributing, and organizing booths showcasing Vietnamese products, traditional culinary performances, and community activities. The event vividly illustrates the spirit of “unity is strength,” blending economics and culture in a shared space for Vietnamese abroad.
Images of Vietnamese ao dai flowing in Prague’s squares, lion dance drums, and hometown songs mingling with international languages prove that no matter how far they roam, the love for Vietnam flows in every Vietnamese heart.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
If the previous generation “paved the way,” today’s youth “carry the torch.” Raised in modern EU environments with solid education, young Vietnamese entrepreneurs bring fresh energy: confidence, creativity, and deep integration into international markets.
Many have become successful entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s, operating in technology, finance, green startups, or leading Vietnamese brands into the EU market with modern approaches.
Remarkably, despite being born abroad, they retain Vietnamese identity, speak Vietnamese, cherish Vietnamese culture, and take pride in their roots. Vietnamese associations and cultural centers in the EU organize programs like “Vietnam Summer Camp,” “Homeland Journey,” and “Proud of Vietnamese Ao Dai,” helping youth understand their history, culture, and community responsibilities.
Additionally, newly formed Vietnamese Young Entrepreneurs Associations in the EU provide dynamic platforms for networking, idea exchange, joint startups, and mutual support.
Second and third generations are inheriting not just material wealth but, more importantly, a spiritual legacy—patriotism and a sustainable development vision from their forebears.
As a young Vietnamese entrepreneur in Germany shared: “Our parents overcame hardships to build their legacy. Our generation’s duty is to preserve and modernize it, not just for ourselves, but for Vietnam’s image in the international community.”
The forum not only connects business opportunities but also unites Vietnamese hearts, spreading Vietnam’s values – Image: VGP/Việt Anh |
From a Business Community to National Strength
In an era of globalization and fierce competition, the Vietnamese business community in the EU represents not just individual resilience but also a component of national soft power. They help shape Vietnam’s image as a dynamic, reliable, integrated, and humane nation.
Vietnamese Trade Offices in the EU, alongside the Association of Vietnamese Businesses in the EU, are building a multi-tiered trade and investment promotion network, where information, opportunities, and trust spread rapidly.
New initiatives are underway, such as the DNET.eu e-commerce portal, the “GoGlobal 2030” conference series, and cultural exchange programs—aiming to establish a sustainable public-private partnership foundation between the state and diaspora entrepreneurs.
All efforts converge toward a shared goal: “Vietnamese everywhere unite to build a prosperous, strong, and beautiful homeland.”
From small stalls in Prague’s Indochina Market to large export companies connecting Vietnam with the EU; from Vietnamese language classes for children to international-scale business conferences, a consistent message resonates: Unity is strength, roots are anchors, and passing the torch is a mission.
The Vietnamese business community in the EU has, is, and will continue to assert its pioneering role in uniting the diaspora and fostering economic-cultural cooperation with the homeland.
The 2026 National Unity Day in Prague is more than an event—it’s a symbol of faith, a homecoming journey in every expatriate’s heart, where camaraderie, national pride, and development aspirations merge into a warm flame, passed from one generation to the next.
This flame, whether in Europe or by the Red River, burns brightly, guiding the Vietnamese business community steadily on the path of integration and service to the nation.
Nguyễn Việt Anh (Chief Representative of the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Czech Republic)
– 08:51 29/10/2025
