External information awards contribute to improving service’s efficiency

VietnamPlus wins two second prizes at the National External Information Service Awards 2016 (Photo: VNA)

The awards included six first prizes, 15 second prizes, 18 third prizes, and 30 consolation prizes.

This is the third time the awards have been organized by the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission and the Central Steering Committee for External Information Services.

The 2016 contest received 893 entries in 17 languages, up 21 percent in number of entries and six languages more compared to the event in 2015.

President Tran Dai Quang and head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission Vo Van Thuong presented awards to the first prize winners.

The prize winning works focused on such themes as Vietnam’s political and diplomatic activities, sea and island, culture, environment and climate change. 

The State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) won one first prize, four second prizes, two third prizes, and five consolation prizes.

The first-prize photo work “Early election in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago” by Tran Le Lam from the VNA’s Press Photography Department was evaluated to have produced good impact with excellent photographic techniques.

The VNA’s e-newspaper VietnamPlus won the second prize with a series of stories in the “mega-story” style, featuring the Monsoon Music Festival in Hanoi. 

Speaking at the event, Thuong said external information is an important part in the communication and external work of the Party and State, which will help people around the world understand better Vietnam’s policies and the country’s stance on regional and international issues.

The work also promotes the country’s land, people, history and culture as well as achievements in the “doi moi” (renewal) process, he added.

At the same time, the external information service keeps the domestic public updated on the latest developments in the region and the world, connects Vietnam with the international community and Vietnamese abroad, and garners support and cooperation from international friends along with consensus and contributions of expatriates to the cause of national building and defense, the official said.

The service also provides accurate information to fight against wrong viewpoints and distorted allegations about Vietnam of hostile forces, he noted.

The head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission urged external information agencies to continue with efforts to improve their performance and reach wider audiences.

The National External Information Service Awards was launched in 2014.-VN