Pham Van Linh, deputy chief organizer and deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communications and Education, told reporters about the significance of the event: “The year 2017 marked several milestones for our external affairs. Vietnam hosted APEC meetings for the second time in 10 years. Other landmarks include the 40^th anniversary of Vietnam’s UN membership, 55^th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos friendship, and 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia cooperative ties. These indicate Vietnam’s widespread participation in international institutions and its international integration.  They also provide a wealth of inspiration to journalists and publishers to promote Vietnam’s image and inform the world of its major policies.”

The National External Information Service Awards 2017, the 4^th of its kind, calls for submissions used on Vietnamese mass media throughout the year.  The awards will be announced next May.