As many as 77 delegates, representing for 500 Overseas Vietnamese households, attended the first Congress of the Overseas Vietnamese (OV) community in Ratanakiri province (Cambodia) which took place in Phnom Penh on July 20.

Mr Chau Van Chi, Chairman of the Vietnamese-Cambodian Association, and Ms Dinh Thi Giang, Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lai provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front were attended the event.

A report by the Provisional Executive Board – PEB (set up in 2010) showed that the community consists of sub-executive boards in Banlung city and two other districts, with 6 branches and 30 officers.

The PEB focused on creating good relations with local authorities to support the integration of OVs into Cambodian society and introduce the community to their resident country’s laws.

Besides, the community has also actively joined in charitable activities to help disadvantaged people and victims of natural disasters.

However, the report said, all of the Vietnamese children there have not been taught Vietnamese and only 40 % of them are learning at Cambodian schools due to financial difficulties. Although the PEB has organized some classes for them, it is not enough to meet their needs. Especially, they are facing difficulties in proving the fact of their birth and origin.

In the 2012-2015 working term, attendees agreed that the community need to strengthen relations with Cambodian authorities as well as expand organization to other localities.

After discussion, it also asked Vietnamese businesses in the province to open jobs opportunities for young OV people, and local administration to help build schools for OV children.

Congress voted Mr Pham Van Ninh (head of PEB) as Chairman of the nine-member Executive Board./.