Attentive and dedicated in serving international reporters at the Hanoi Convention Signing Ceremony

Mr. Luong Hoang Giap, Director of the Foreign Press Guidance Center, Department of Diplomatic Corps Services. (Photo: Xuan Son)

Could you share about the preparations of the Foreign Press Guidance Center for the Convention Signing Ceremony?

As everyone knows, the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony was prepared very early and carefully by the Government and ministries, departments and branches. Immediately after major events such as A50, A80, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Press Information Department and the Foreign Press Guidance Center (Diplomatic Service Department), started to implement the preparation work.

For this event, the Center mobilized 100% of its human resources, working outside of office hours. In particular, in recent weeks, officers and employees worked on Saturdays and Sundays with a spirit of urgency and enthusiasm.

The number of reporters registered to attend was very large, most of whom were foreign reporters accompanying high-ranking delegations, so the preparation work had to be even more thoughtful and careful. The Center closely coordinated with the Press Information Department, received close guidance from the leaders of the Diplomatic Corps Service Department, and worked with professional units of the Ministry of Public Security and Hanoi City to complete visa applications, licensing and related procedures.

At the same time, the Center proactively exchanges with international reporters to guide them in completing registration documents for licenses, press visas and event entry cards.

The number of reporters registered to attend is very large, requiring the Foreign Press Guidance Center to carry out careful and thorough preparations. (Photo: Hoang Giap)

During the preparation process, what difficulties did the Foreign Press Guidance Center encounter, especially when the workload was large and security requirements were high?

The Center has experience serving many major events this year such as A50 and A80. However, the workload this time is very large while the Center's staff is limited, causing difficulties in assigning and handling work on schedule according to the requirements of the Ministry and the organizing committee.

Another difficulty is the time zone difference when working with international reporters, especially delegations from Europe and America. The Center's staff must work in shifts to respond to emails and exchange information promptly, avoiding delays that could affect licensing procedures and press visas.

In addition, reporters come from many different countries and cultures, mainly accompanying high-ranking leaders, so the way of coordinating and handling documents also requires more flexibility, accuracy and tact.

However, the Center received close and timely guidance from the leaders of the Ministry, the leaders of the Diplomatic Corps Service Department and the Press Information Department, helping to overcome many difficulties. With more than 40 years of experience serving major events such as APEC, the US-North Korea Summit or visits by foreign heads of state, the Center confidently applied its experience, tradition and sense of responsibility to contribute to the success of the Hanoi Convention Signing Ceremony.

Domestic and foreign reporters work at the press center, National Convention Center. (Photo: Hoang Giap)

How do you assess the significance of this event for Vietnam's international press cooperation and the role of the Foreign Press Guidance Center in that process?

Major events like this are not only opportunities to promote the country's image but also an opportunity for the Center to promote its role in connecting and supporting international press.

For us, this is a source of pride and an opportunity to continue the tradition of serving foreign press of previous generations. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for industries, especially tourism, to promote the image of Vietnam to the world through international media agencies.

The event brought together many major news agencies and newspapers, opening up opportunities for Vietnamese media agencies to strengthen cooperation, exchange information and create a foundation for upcoming international events such as the Party Congress or APEC 2027.

For the Foreign Press Guidance Center, this is an opportunity for us to continue to affirm our capacity and position, and at the same time contribute to the overall success of the Diplomatic Corps Service Department this year.

The event brought together many major news agencies and newspapers, opening up opportunities for Vietnamese media agencies to enhance cooperation, exchange information and create a foundation for future international events. (Photo: Hoang Giap)

After this event, what plans does the Foreign Press Guidance Center have to improve the quality of international press services and strengthen multilateral media cooperation?

After each major event, the Center sends an evaluation report to the leaders of the Ministry and the Press and Information Department to seriously review the good and bad points, thereby drawing experience and improving service efficiency.

We also continue to maintain connections with reporters attending events, strengthen cooperative relationships, and proactively invite reputable and well-intentioned reporters to attend Vietnam's foreign affairs events in the coming time.

More importantly, this is an opportunity for all officers and employees of the Center to review their work, continuously improve their professional qualifications and service spirit, and contribute more actively to the foreign information work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thank you very much.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chu-dao-va-tan-tam-trong-phuc-vu-phong-vien-quoc-te-tai-le-ky-cong-uoc-ha-noi-332188.html