Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the ceremony. (Photo: VGP)

Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and Central Steering Committee for External Information Service cooperated with other agencies to hold the 7th National External Information Service Awards in Hanoi on Nov. 28, in which Vietnam Times won two prizes.

Vietnam Times' article named "Vietnam - Cuba friendship: "New Year's Day" of brotherhood" won the second prize in the category of printed publication, while "Elections in Vietnam in the eyes of international friends: special political festival" won the third prize in online newspapers and websites.

The ceremony welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien, Head of Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of ministries, localities, press agencies, publishing houses, representatives of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam.

The event was held in the context that the Vietnamese party and people are proactively implementing the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, striving to overcome hardships, determining to control Covid-19, promote socio-economic development, building a firm basement to achieve the national development strategic goals in 2030 and 2045.

The award marks 10 years of implementing Politburo's conclusion 16-KL/TW on the development strategy of external information for the period 2011-2020. Over the past 10 years, the external information has contributed to the success of the party and state's communication foreign affairs, contributing to raise people's patriotism, national pride, aspiration to develop Vietnam into a powerful country. It mobilizes domestic and international resources to enhance the position and prestige of Vietnam, consolidate and develop cooperative relations with other countries and international organizations, and defeat enemies.

Vietnam Times' article named "Vietnam - Cuba friendship: "New Year's Day" of brotherhood" won the second prize in the category of printed publication.

Despite the complicated pandemic, the award has received more than 1,000 entries in 14 languages. The participant articles are divided into the following categories: print newspapers, online newspapers, websites, radio and television, photos, books, videos, initiatives, ideas, and products with values in external information.

It is notable that the award received entries from foreign authors, press agencies, overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese embassies. Such attention shows the event's prestige and position, as well as the increasing interest of Vietnamese and international organizations and individuals in external information.

The entries have rich and diverse content, come close to modern communication technology, have value in external information, and receive the attention of the domestic and foreign public. The articles closely follow all outstanding events and issues in 2020-2021 such as the 12th National Party Congress, the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2020 tenure, Vietnam's role in bilateral and multilateral forums, Vietnam's diplomatic relations.

The articles reflected issues that have attracted the public's attention such as national spirit in the fight against the pandemic, building and promoting cultural values, human strength. Entries in foreign languages ​​and written by foreigners show deep, positive, multi-faceted perspectives of Vietnam's image in the international community and Vietnam's external activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that external information was an important part of ideological work. Therefore, external information needs to focus on implementing the resolution of the 13th Party Congress, introducing the country and people of Vietnam to the world, and bringing the world closer to Vietnam.

Renovation is needed to build external information to be more proactive, drastic, scientific, creative, effective, and open in receiving information and communication.

The key role and capacity of human resources need to be promoted, while solidarity and support of the whole political system, overseas Vietnamese, residents, and international friends in external information need to be mobilized.

Specific solutions in the application of modern technology and new communication trends need to be reached. The quality, accuracy, timeliness, attractiveness, effectiveness, and multilingualism of external information must be ensured.

Vietnam Times won the third prize in online newspapers and websites. for an article named "Elections in Vietnam in the eyes of international friends: special political festival"

"President Ho Chi Minh said that communication meant explaining something for the people so that they understand, remember and implement. In responding to the pandemic, there is a need for full and prompt information about the virus variants, measures to combat the pandemic and recover the economy. The people need to be informed about the pandemic situation, other countries' responses so that the people understand, respond with consensus, strictly implement preventive solutions issued by the Party and State," the prime minister said.

At this awards ceremony, 102 excellent works were honored, including a special prize, 10 first prizes, 19 second prizes, 29 third, and 43 consolation.

The special prize was given to an initiative to introduce General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's article entitled “Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam” to political parties and international friends, which was conducted by the Central Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam News Agency and other staff on external information.

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