Prime Minister: Building a team of foreign affairs information officers with 'steel in their pens and fire in their hearts'

This evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 11th National Awards Ceremony for External Information in 2025.

This year, the award attracted over 2,400 entries, double the average number of previous editions. The entries demonstrated timeliness, creativity, and a strong impact on external information work.

The 11th awards recognize works and products in eight categories: Vietnamese newspapers and magazines; foreign-language newspapers and 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 General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, presented the first prize to the author(s) who won first prize.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of the Party, State, ministries, and agencies presented 8 first prizes, 16 second prizes, 24 third prizes, and 40 consolation prizes to outstanding authors.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Prime Minister stated that external information work plays an important role and has strategic significance, receiving special attention and guidance from the Party and the State.

External information work has proactively and positively contributed to raising Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, and just voice on the international stage; it has enhanced and beautified the image of a stable, dynamic, responsible, sincere, trustworthy, distinctive, and friendly Vietnam. External information work helps the world understand more accurately, fully, and deeply the spirit, character, and image of Vietnam and its people.

The works and products submitted for this year's competition cover a wide range of 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.

The quality of the entries has improved, reflecting the thinking, vision, creativity, and meticulousness of the authors. The entries from foreign authors demonstrate a deep, positive understanding and a fresh, rich perspective on Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the awards ceremony.

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 particular, foreign information work is a strategic component in the overall national soft power.

In addition, the head of government also noted that external information work needs to innovate in thinking and methods, ensuring strategic proactiveness both in the short and long term; building well-structured programs with rich content, attractive and persuasive formats, ensuring accessibility, modernity, and multimedia.

The Prime Minister urged the development of a team of foreign information officers who are courageous, intellectually sharp, creative, responsible, and dedicated; who are committed and courageous, 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.

The Prime Minister also stated that it is necessary to 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.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-tuong-xay-dung-doi-ngu-lam-thong-tin-doi-ngoai-thep-trong-but-lua-trong-tim-2472013.html