The 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award Ceremony

The entries for the 2023 Golden Hammer and Sickle Award are of very good depth and quality, highly effective in propaganda, sharply refuting the distorted arguments of hostile forces, and attracting the attention of a large number of the public and readers.

Lễ công bố và trao Giải Búa liềm vàng lần thứ VIII - năm 2023

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the Announcement and Award Ceremony of the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023.

On the evening of February 1st, at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labor Cultural Palace in Hanoi, to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam , the Central Organizing Committee, in coordination with the Nhan Dan Newspaper , the Communist Magazine , Vietnam Television, and the Vietnam Journalists Association , organized the ceremony to announce and present the 8th National Journalism Award on Party Building (named the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award) - 2023.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the rich and vibrant reality and positive results of the national construction and defense; of the Party building and rectification work; and the unity and trust of the people are valuable materials and unlimited sources of inspiration for creating high-quality journalistic works.

Over eight editions, the National Press Award on Party Building, named "Golden Hammer and Sickle," has affirmed its value, appeal, and widespread influence on Party building, the construction of the political system, and the development of the cadre; it also affirms the profound political awareness, professional ethics, and unwavering revolutionary spirit of journalists nationwide, worthy of President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers."

The Steering Committee and Organizing Committee of the 8th "Golden Hammer and Sickle" Award directed the organization of the event in a rigorous, systematic, scientific, and professional manner under the guidance of Comrade Truong Thi Mai, Member of the Political Bureau, Standing Secretary of the Central Committee, and Head of the Central Organization Department. Party committees at all levels, ministries, sectors, and localities actively participated, considering participation in the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award as an important task, while simultaneously creating a vibrant atmosphere and attracting the attention of all segments of the population to the work of Party building, cadre development, and the construction of the political system. The Golden Hammer and Sickle Award also served as a forum to express the viewpoints, theories, proud history, beliefs of the people, and the rich practical activities of the Party.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that Party committees and organizations at all levels focus on leading, directing, and creating favorable conditions for press agencies and reporters to concentrate on disseminating and reflecting the theoretical values and innovative viewpoints of the Party and the determination to build a clean and strong Party. He also urged increased coverage of advanced models, exemplary individuals, and outstanding achievements; new models and innovative approaches; the fight against and prevention of ideological and political degradation, moral decay, and lifestyle deviations, as well as manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation"; the prevention and fight against corruption, negative phenomena, and waste; the struggle against and refutation of distorted narratives and erroneous viewpoints of hostile forces and reactionary organizations; the firm protection of the Party's ideological foundation; and the further enhancement of the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations and members.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his confidence that the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award would further build upon its achievements, continue to explore innovation and creativity to further spread its vibrant energy and positive influence, contributing to the building and rectification of the Party, the construction of the political system, and the building of a clean and strong contingent of cadres; making positive and effective contributions to the construction and protection of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland; and towards the goal of a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization.

Authors, representing the group of authors who won the A Prize at the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023.

The 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023 was launched on February 3, 2023, at the closing ceremony and award presentation of the 7th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2022.

On March 20, 2023, the Central Organizing Committee issued Plan No. 106-KH/BTCTW on organizing the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023 (accompanied by the Award Regulations) with many new contents aimed at further expanding the scope and far-reaching influence of the Award.

By the deadline for submitting entries to the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023, the Organizing Committee had received a total of 2,216 entries, an increase of 184 entries compared to 2022 (8.6%). These included 755 print articles, 549 online articles, 530 television programs, 280 radio programs, and 102 photojournalism entries.

The entries for this year's Golden Hammer and Sickle Award from central and local press agencies continue to be diverse in subject matter and genre, covering all provinces and cities nationwide. Most entries closely followed pressing issues, prominent events, and key tasks of the political system and the country. Many works delved deeply into current issues related to Party building and rectification. Some works addressed current pressing issues, demonstrating strong social critique and a high level of engagement.

Fifteen collectives were awarded the Outstanding Collective Award at the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award Ceremony - 2023.

A new feature in the content of journalistic works participating in this year's Golden Hammer and Sickle Award is the vivid and timely reflection of the Party's political events and activities, such as the launch of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's books, the mid-term conference (the 7th Central Committee meeting), and resolutions of the Central Committee and the Politburo (13th term) focusing on leading and directing the building of culture and ethics within the Party, planning for the strategic-level cadre; combating the "fear of responsibility" and building a mechanism to protect cadres who dare to think, dare to act, and dare to act for the common good; inspection, supervision, and control of power associated with the fight against corruption and negative phenomena; combating erroneous and distorted views, protecting the Party's ideological foundation and protecting national sovereignty in cyberspace; digital transformation and the application of technology to Party work; and the development of 6 strategic and key socio-economic regions...

Notably, the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award in 2023 saw the highest number of provincial-level media outlets submitting television programs ever, including even district-level cultural centers, television programs from the Police, the Military Command of provinces, and private media companies. Some works demonstrated depth and high quality, with effective propaganda and sharp refutations of the distorted narratives of malicious actors, such as the case of the attack on two commune offices in Dak Lak.

Central-level media outlets have a strong advantage in producing numerous political commentary works that address issues of national scope, while local media outlets excel in articles reflecting innovative approaches from the grassroots level and highlighting exemplary collective and individual achievements. Content defending ideological foundations is not only present in works from central media agencies but also in many local newspapers and radio/television stations. Many works, after publication or broadcast, have attracted widespread public attention and readership. This demonstrates the increasingly strong influence of the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award.

Authors, representing the groups of authors who won the thematic awards at the 8th Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - 2023.

The judging panel convened and held lively, democratic discussions, then cast secret ballots to select the best works from the 120 shortlisted entries for awards. These included 6 A Prizes, 12 B Prizes, 18 C Prizes, 30 Encouragement Prizes, and 6 Special Prizes: Award for outstanding work on organizing and implementing Party Congress Resolutions; Award for outstanding work on innovation and improving the quality of political and ideological education; Award for outstanding work on innovating the Party's leadership and governance methods; Award for outstanding work on protecting the Party's ideological foundation; Award for outstanding work on combating "peaceful evolution"; and Award for outstanding work on discovering exemplary figures in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style.

The Steering Committee of the Award has reviewed and decided to select 5 Party members as exemplary figures in the winning journalistic works, including: Comrade Pờ Dần Xinh, of the Hà Nhì ethnic group, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Sín Thầu commune, Mường Nhé district, Điện Biên province; village elder Ksor H Blâm, of the Gia Rai ethnic group, Ia Mơ commune, Chư Prông district, Gia Lai province; Lâm Khem, of the Khmer ethnic group in Lương Nghĩa commune, Long Mỹ district, Hậu Giang province; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Mai and Mrs. Lê Thị Củng, a married couple with 75 years of Party membership in Quang Phục commune, Tứ Kỳ district, Hải Dương province.

The Steering Committee and the Organizing Committee of the Award also decided to commend one unit for its creative media product and 14 units, including propaganda departments, Party committee organizing committees, press agencies, and journalists' associations, for their outstanding achievements in organizing, promoting, and participating in the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award.

At this awards ceremony, the Steering Committee of the Awards launched the 9th National Journalism Award on Party Building (Golden Hammer and Sickle Award) - 2024.