Hanoi, May 1 -- The overseas Vietnamese (OV) community is increasingly recognised as a key force and an effective distribution channel, driving the growth of Vietnam's exports, thereby enhancing the country's cultural outreach and economic standing on the global stage. In 2016, approximately 4.5 million Vietnamese were residing in 109 countries and territories. Today, the figures have risen to over 6 million and more than 130, respectively. Once focused on small-scale trade, many OV entrepreneurs now own major retail centres and operate extensive wholesale networks, boosting the availability of Vietnamese products abroad. Vietnam's initiative of mobilising OVs to promote and distribute Vietnamese goods abroad (2020-2024) has so far yielde...