National External Information Service Awards looks towards professionalism: At the press conference to launch the 9th edition of the National External Information Service Awards at the VNA's headquarters in Hanoi in March. (Photo: VNA)

Talking to the press ahead of the award ceremony, for October 12 evening, Nhung, who is also Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Awards Council, said entries have vividly demonstrated the country’s major events, attracting domestic and international public opinions.

They have highlighted policies and guidelines of the Party and the State; the country’s achievement in politics, economy, foreign affairs and human rights; the beauty of Vietnamese land, people and culture; and the Party’s ideological foundation, she said.

Organisers received 1,456 works and products, up 30 from the previous edition, which reflects the increasing appeal of the awards, she said, adding that the entries have better quality, with diverse topics and attractive formats.

Notably, those by foreigners have focused on Vietnam’s foreign policy as well as its position in the international arena, socio-economic development and people-to-people exchanges. Through the works and products, foreign authors have shown their understanding about and deep sentiments towards the land and people of Vietnam.

The VNA Deputy General Director emphasised innovation and modernity reflected in this year’s entries, explaining that authors have utilised technology, AI and new media to satisfy information seeking habits of different groups of audiences, especially youths.

National External Information Service Awards looks towards professionalism: VNA Deputy General Director Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung. (Photo: VNA)

She unveiled that about 30 foreigners participated in the awards, mainly in the categories of print and e-newspapers in foreign languages, with familiar names like SD Pradhan and Rudroneel Ghosh.

Apart from those engaging in the external information service, the awards has also drawn the participation of press agencies in localities, research institutes, organisations, individuals, artists, experts and scholars, both at home and abroad, she went on.

According to Nhung, the VNA, which also initiated and hosted the awards in 2014 and in 2018, has coordinated with the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education and the Steering Committee on External Information Service to ensure the quality and progress of this year’s event.

At the launching ceremony of the ninth edition held at the VNA’s headquarters in Hanoi in March, a video clip with English subtitles reviewing outstanding achievements over eight editions and expectations for this year’s event was screened, drawing attention from colleagues and international friends.

The ninth edition’s press release and rules in six languages (Vietnamese, English, French, Russian, Chinese and Spanish) and the video clip are attached with a QR code to popularise the awards, Nhung said.

On this occasion, the VNA displayed a collection of photos by its correspondents in Turkey, featuring humanitarian and relief operations in the country following a devastating earthquake, she added.

With 15 departments performing the external information service and a contingent of correspondents in 30 representative offices abroad that have actively joined the awards, the agency has also worked hard to promote the awards in many languages, formats and platforms.

As a result, journalists from foreign news agencies like Yonhap of the Republic of Korea and Prensa Latina of Cuba sent their works to the organisers.

“It can be said that such organisation innovations have significantly contributed to the success of this year’s event,” Nhung affirmed.