Recognize Vietnamese in the US as ethnic minority group: PM

Meeting with 70 ethnic Vietnamese representing the community in the U.S.'s East Coast, he thanked them for their contributions to Vietnam, saying it helped strengthen Vietnam-U.S. relations.

He asserted that the diaspora was an "inseparable part" of the Vietnamese community and the government sought to foster unity among them with various measures including laying legal foundations.

There were around 5.3 million Vietnamese living abroad with the largest portion in the U.S. at around 2.2 million people. Many of them have contributed significantly to the U.S. administration and American culture, he added.

Chinh said he hoped the Vietnamese community abroad abides by the rules and laws of the countries where they live, continue to develop and preserve Vietnamese cultural characteristics and foster Vietnam-U.S. relations.

PM Chinh is in the U.S. to attend the U.S.-ASEAN Summit, pay an official visit to the country and work with the United Nations in a week-long visit expected to end May 17.