(Photo: baohagiang.vn)

This year the event received 1,710 entries on issues of public concern in 2020, including preparations for the 13^th National Party Congress, the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disaster relief efforts.

Ngo Minh Tuan, Editor-in-Chief of Party Building magazine, said, “Vietnam saw a lot of dramatic developments in 2020, so the 5^th Golden Hammer & Sickle Awards received a growing number of entries covering politics, economics, social issues, culture, foreign relations, security, and defense. The Awards motivated journalists to closely follow Party Congresses at the grassroots level and the upcoming 13^th National Party Congress.”

Covering Party building efforts required journalists to travel to remote areas and get close to the people. Xuan Tho and Thu Thuy of the Voice of Vietnam compiled a report on how a resolution failed to match the reality of rubber production in Son La province. Xuan Tho said that in 2008, Son La authorities decided to focus on rubber production to reduce poverty and improve the local economy. But a decade later, rubber areas were still struggling. According to Tho, after their report was aired on Voice of Vietnam, Son La authorities revised their plans so as to remove some of the obstacles holding back the rubber farmers.

“We feel happy for the farmers, because new solutions have been launched. Areas which are no longer growing rubber trees will be used for other purposes. In areas where rubber trees have yet to produce sap, farmers will be allowed to grow other crops beneath the rubber trees and raise animals to improve their income,” said Tho.

The Golden Hammer & Sickle Awards encourage journalists to reflect real life and propose ideas for Party building.