Constructing a network of influential Vietnamese worldwide in all sectors will contribute to Vietnam’s development and the building of a global ‘Brand Vietnam,’ it was agreed during a two-day forum in Paris late last month.

Once such a network is established, talented Vietnamese people will be empowered to make impacts that will induce transformative changes, contributing to the country’s greater development, constructing and promoting Vietnam’s country brand both internally and globally, panelists said at the inaugural Vietnam Global Leaders Forum (VGLF) held in the French capital from March 30 to 31.

Two hundred successful and influential Vietnamese active in different areas including economics, science, and arts participated in the event, themed “Brand Vietnam,” where they discussed solutions to develop a global network of Vietnamese and the right way to build a country brand for Vietnam.

The forum included plenary sessions and panel discussions on such topics as “Role of diaspora and global talent network in national development and nation branding” and “Nation branding: from the culture, the people and education.”

Delegates agreed that a country’s image has a strategic role in maintaining competitive advantages and promoting growth in today’s global market economy, the VGLF said in a post-event press release.

“A country brand encompasses all cultural, economic, social aspects, and is reflected in and will affect every one of these aspects – it is the external projection of a country’s goal and vision,” it said.

“Beyond economic impetus such as attracting investments and tourists, the ‘right’ country brand can bring about other positive impacts: strengthening diplomatic ties, invigorating the art scene, and benefiting citizens overseas.”

After two days of work, participants reached a consensus that one of Vietnam’s biggest strengths to encourage the development of the nation brand is the broad network of Vietnamese living abroad.

It is important for all Vietnamese to understand that they play an important role in forming and developing the Vietnamese image regardless of where they live and which industry they are active in, according to the participants.

Vietnamese living abroad also need to acknowledge their special roles as deliverers of new, fundamental and in-depth knowledge needed for the development of Vietnam that they attain in more developed countries.

As they are based overseas, this community of Vietnamese plays an important role in having an influence on other countries and they are also able to familiarize people in other nations with Vietnamese culture.

Some panelists said it is essential that the two communities - Vietnamese residing abroad and those living in Vietnam - have better cooperation. They added that building a nation brand needs contributions and determination from everyone as it is not a one-man job.

Vietnam Global Leader Forum was an event gathering Vietnamese and people with Vietnamese roots who are successful, talented, and influential so as to contribute to Vietnam’s development and a global "Brand Vietnam."

The idea originated from the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts, an organization based in France whose members are Vietnamese academics and scholars residing in different countries around the world.

VGLF was held as part of a series of events aimed at boosting Vietnam’s development, with cooperation and support from Vietnamese authorities including the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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