The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) is determined to develop into a strong national media group and a prestigious news agency in the region, VNA General Director Tran Mai Huong said on the agency’s 64th founding anniversary on Sept. 15.

The VNA leader recalled the agency’s history, saying it was the only press unit for which so many journalists - more than 260 - laid down their lives to report the news during the country’s resistance wars for national liberation.

VNA was a pioneer in the press reform process, adopting new technologies for information services. Also it was the first press agency to open fire on negative phenomena, said General Director Huong.

The VNA leader stressed the need to diversify its scope and content in terms of information, in order to cater to both the local and foreign audiences.

On the occasion, he said, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Sept. 14 issued an instruction on strengthening the VNA’s role, and, several days earlier, gave the nod for the agency to begin a project to build its own television channel.

The Greek Ambassador to Vietnam, Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis, joined VNA on its birthday celebration. He handed over 26,000 EUR as the Greek Government’s gift to Vietnamese Agent Orange victims via the VNA’s Fund for AO Victims.

On the occasion, the VNA presented the Ambassador with an insignia for his contributions to and sentiments towards Vietnam./.