Prime Minister: External information is a strategic component in the overall national soft power.

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the evening of December 12th, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 11th National Award Ceremony for External Information in 2025. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister emphasized that external information is a strategic component of the overall national soft power and urged the development of a team of external information workers who are courageous, intellectually sharp, creative, responsible, dedicated, and visionary, with the spirit of "steel in the pen, fire in the heart".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attending the 11th National Award Ceremony for External Information in 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The awards ceremony was jointly organized by the Central Steering Committee on External Information Work, the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, and Vietnam Television. Attending the event were: Nguyen Trong Nghia, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Head of the Steering Committee on External Information Work, and Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army; Trinh Van Quyet, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister; leaders of central committees, ministries, and agencies; and representatives of international organizations and foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister emphasized that external information work plays an important role and has strategic significance, receiving special attention and guidance from the Party and the State. - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The 11th National Award for External Information in 2025 attracted 2,412 entries, double the average number of entries in previous editions. The entries were of high quality, demonstrating timeliness, creativity, and a strong impact on external information work; affirming the brand of a prestigious award with many unique and distinctive features.

The 11th Awards consider works and products in eight categories: Vietnamese newspapers/magazines; foreign-language newspapers/magazines; radio; television; books; photography; digital and multimedia products; and initiatives and products with value in foreign information dissemination.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Head of the Steering Committee for External Information Work, Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army Nguyen Trong Nghia present the first prize to the authors - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the awards ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders of the Party, State, ministries, and agencies, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, presented 8 first prizes; 16 second prizes; 24 third prizes and 40 consolation prizes to outstanding works and authors.

Speaking at the event, expressing his delight at attending the ceremony amidst the nationwide atmosphere of enthusiastic emulation to achieve accomplishments in chào mừng the 14th National Party Congress, on behalf of General Secretary Tô Lâm and the Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính extended his respectful greetings, heartfelt regards, and best wishes to the delegates and authors honored at the awards ceremony; and expressed his sincere gratitude to all those working in foreign information affairs both domestically and internationally for their continuous efforts in bringing the beautiful, authentic, and vibrant image of Vietnam and its people to the world.

The Prime Minister emphasized that external information work plays a crucial and strategic role, receiving special attention and guidance from the Party and the State. Despite numerous difficulties and challenges, external information work has achieved many outstanding results in recent times: Information orientation has been implemented systematically, proactively, promptly, and synchronously; coordination has improved, creating a close and effective network; information content is comprehensive, maintaining a proactive stance on the information front; information methods have been diversified, creating a positive ripple effect; contributing to strengthening trust, creating consensus, and fostering unity among the Vietnamese community abroad; and simultaneously refuting distorted narratives, contributing to shaping international public opinion...

According to the Prime Minister, overall, external information work has proactively and positively contributed to raising Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, and just voice on the international stage; enhancing the image of a stable, dynamic, responsible, sincere, trustworthy, distinctive, and friendly Vietnam; enabling the world to understand more accurately, fully, and deeply the spirit, character, and image of Vietnam and its people; thereby contributing to strengthening relations with countries and international partners, creating a favorable environment and conditions for national development.

The Prime Minister assessed that the National Award for External Information is of great significance, contributing to affirming the role and influence of external information work; demonstrating the Party and State's concern to honor, motivate, inspire, and contribute to improving the effectiveness of this important work. After 11 editions, the Award has built a high level of prestige, stature, and widespread influence.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Head of the Steering Committee for External Information Work, Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army Nguyen Trong Nghia, along with the first-prize winning authors - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The head of government stated that, building on the success of previous editions, this year's award has six outstanding features:

Firstly , it attracted widespread participation from central and local agencies, the press, organizations, businesses, researchers, etc. (attracting 2,412 entries, double the average number of previous editions).

Secondly, the themes comprehensively cover important events and achievements of the country, the Party and State's innovative policies and guidelines, and promote the image of Vietnam, its people, and its cultural values.

Thirdly , the quality of the works has improved, reflecting the thinking, vision, creativity, and meticulousness of the authors.

Fourthly , the forms of expression are diverse and modern, strongly applying new forms and media, including digital media.

This year , the entries submitted by foreigners demonstrated a deep, positive understanding and a fresh, rich perspective on Vietnam.

Sixth , the organization of the competition has undergone many innovations, including the first-time application of digital technology, a reformed method of participation and online judging; and a significant increase in prize value.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged, highly appreciated, and commended the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, the Central Steering Committee on External Information Work, and related agencies for their close coordination in successfully organizing the Award Ceremony; he warmly praised and congratulated the outstanding collectives and individuals honored at the Award Ceremony, who made important contributions to the overall achievements of the country's external information work.

According to the Prime Minister, in the new era of development, along with national defense and security, foreign affairs are identified as crucial and ongoing tasks, contributing to protecting the Fatherland early and from afar, and promoting rapid and sustainable national development; in which, foreign information work plays a very important role, being a strategic component in the overall national soft power. To further enhance the effectiveness of foreign information work in the coming period, the Prime Minister emphasized the following key directions.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department Trinh Van Quyet present the second prize to the authors - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Firstly, it is essential to adhere closely to the Party and State's foreign policy guidelines and policies, especially the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation; affirming a Vietnam that is resilient, confident, self-reliant, strong, dynamic, and creative, making positive contributions to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Secondly , we need to innovate our thinking and methods, ensuring strategic proactiveness both in the short and long term; developing well-structured programs with rich content, attractive and persuasive formats, ensuring accessibility, modernity, and multimedia capabilities.

Thirdly, we must promote the application of digital technology and effectively utilize global communication platforms (social networks, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, big data, etc.) to attract and better serve both foreigners and domestic citizens.

Fourth , we must build a team of foreign information officers who are courageous, intellectually sharp, creative, responsible, dedicated, and visionary; who are committed, courageous, and undeterred by difficulties and hardships, with the spirit of "steel in the pen, fire in the heart," "using beauty to overcome ugliness," and using positivity to push back negativity.

Fifth , leverage the combined strength of the entire political system; establish close and effective coordination mechanisms between ministries, departments, and localities; between domestic and international media; and form and develop an increasingly practical and effective network for external information dissemination.

Building on fine traditions and achievements, the Prime Minister expressed his hope and belief that the National Award for External Information will continue to create more momentum, inspire new enthusiasm, and encourage those working in external information to fully utilize their talents, intellect, dedication, creativity, and responsibility to excellently fulfill their assigned tasks, contributing increasingly practically and effectively to the cause of national construction, development, and defense in the new era.

Ha Van

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thu-tuong-thong-tin-doi-ngoai-la-mot-thanh-to-chien-luoc-trong-tong-the-suc-manh-mem-quoc-gia-1022512122124411.htm