Opportunities And Challenges For Trade Union External Relations Activities
	Utilizing Cyberspace as New Approach to External Information

2024 marks the 10th Anniversary of the National External Information Service Awards . Could you provide an overview of this 10th Anniversary?

As we know, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment and development of the National External Information Service Awards. Over the past decade, the Awards have cemented their importance within Vietnam's system of prestigious national awards, significantly contributing to the successful implementation of external information goals and tasks during various periods.

PM Pham Minh Chinh and Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia awarded the First Prize of the 10th National External Information Service Awards. Photo: VNA

The External Information Service Awards are not just another press award but also a platform for those who love and support Vietnam to creatively promote and spread the country's image, values, and intellectual achievements to the world.

With nearly 1,300 entries across 10 categories, the 10th National External Information Service Awards have continued to attract strong participation from both domestic and international contributors.

A notable highlight is the diversity and modernity in presentation formats, especially in the video clip category, where new and traditional media platforms are actively utilized. Entries submitted by foreign authors reflect deep perspectives and objectives, positive assessments of Vietnam across various aspects.

This year's Awards have also seen an impressive range of languages ​​represented. Beyond familiar languages ​​like English, French, and Spanish, new languages ​​such as Arabic, Uzbek, and Sinhala (widely used in Sri Lanka) have made their debut. The ability to submit entries via email has further facilitated contributions from Vietnam's overseas representative offices and foreign participants.

Among the entries in the foreign-language print and online media categories, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) once again led with the highest number of submissions. This highlights VNA's prominent role as the core agency for external information dissemination. In languages ​​such as English and French, VNA has delivered both quantity and exceptional quality. The two top awards in the foreign-language print and online media categories this year were awarded to VNA, recognizing the dedication and creativity of its journalists in advancing Vietnam's external information efforts over the past year.

As you mentioned, the standout feature of this year's winning entries is the diversity and modernity in their presentation, as well as the presence of many works by foreign contributors offering positive perspectives on Vietnam. Could you elaborate on these works?

For me, music has always been a universal language that easily connects with emotions, particularly international music of the highest caliber. In the past, such performances were only accessible through media, but initiatives like IB Group's music project series have brought international music legends like Modern Talking, Boney M, Chris Norman, and more recently Bond and Kenny G, to Vietnam.

A particularly notable achievement was IB Group's collaboration with Nhan Dan newspaper to produce a music video filmed in Hanoi for the iconic piece Going Home. This video garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, effectively promoting Vietnam's cultural, historical, and human values ​​while supporting tourism in Hanoi and the country at large. The video's visuals highlight Hanoi's most iconic landmarks, thoughtfully selected to complement the musical piece, creating a powerful showcase of the capital's beauty.

Another award-winning work I would like to highlight is the historical site of the Headquarters of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou, China. This site, located at 248-250 Wenming Street in Guangzhou's Guangdong Province, was where the first revolutionary Vietnamese newspaper, Thanh Nien (Youth), was born. Between November 1924 and May 1927, with the support of the Communist Party of China, President Ho Chi Minh conducted political training for Vietnamese youth and established this publication to spread Marxist-Leninist ideology. In recent years, the Guangdong Revolutionary History Museum has undertaken renovations to preserve and enhance the site. Today, visitors to this location feel as though they are stepping into a “miniature Ho Chi Minh Museum” in Guangzhou.

Nguyen Que Lam, Deputy head of the Steering Committee for External Information Service.

After 10 editions of the awards, what lessons can be drawn to further enhance the quality and impact of the National External Information Service Awards?

While the awards have achieved remarkable results, the evolving demands of external information work in this new phase call for continued innovation to improve quality and make even greater contributions to Vietnam's external communication efforts, aligned with the strategic objectives set by the Party.

Over the past decade, the awards have successfully cultivated a vibrant movement, inspiring those engaged in external information work to produce high-quality, impactful content. Moving forward, the focus must shift to elevating the quality further, broadening international outreach, and creating a stronger influence to help global audiences understand Vietnam better, appreciate its culture, and support its development path toward socialism under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam .

In addition to traditional journalism, there is a pressing need for more innovative, modern forms of communication. These should be more creative, concise, and diverse, capable of telling compelling, emotionally resonant stories about Vietnam that captivate international audiences.

In conclusion, the External Information Service Awards and external communication efforts must redouble their efforts to effectively promote the nation's achievements and standing on the global stage. As Vietnam enters a new era of prosperity and happiness—a time of unprecedented national growth—the awards must play a pivotal role in sharing this narrative with the world, showcasing the strength and aspirations of the Vietnamese people.

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