Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hanoi Nguyen The Thao expressed his hope for stronger cooperation with, and continuous support from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) for the course of development in times to come.

In addition to covering current political, economic and socio-cultural affairs, VNA also published stories expressing support for the city, both in times of adversity and of prosperity, Thao said during a Hanoi conference on mutual cooperation on September 11.

On this occasion, he also congratulated VNA leaders and staff on the 69th anniversary of the agency (September 15).

VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi praised the bilateral collaboration in the past, particularly over the last five years, when news on Hanoi became more widely published domestically and internationally. This included a series of stories celebrating the millennial anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi in 2010.

In order to become a modern and large multimedia conglomerate, VNA will be equipped with all the technology necessary to expand its operations and continue to publish up-to-date news stories for its readers, Loi revealed.

He urged municipal authorities to join VNA’s media efforts as the city gears up for the 60th anniversary of its liberation, the 16th Congress of the Hanoi Party Committee and the 12th National Party Congress.

Director General Loi also called for the city’s assistance in renovating VNA’s television centre and international cooperation centre.

Later, VNA presented an insignia “For the cause of VNA” to Chairman Thao in honour of his support.

As the official mouthpiece of the Party and State, VNA provides news to press outlets at home and abroad, with stories ranging from national, economic and world news to reference material.

The agency comprises 35 newspapers and publications, including Tin Tuc (News), The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports & Culture), VietnamPlus Newswire, Vietnam Pictorial, and VNA Television Channel (Vnews).

The Vietnam News and Le Courrier du Vietnam are the only daily publications written in English and French languages in Vietnam.-VNA