National Press Festival 2019 opens in Hanoi

Themed “Renovated, creative, responsible Vietnamese press serving the interests of the nation and people”, this year’s event attracted 85 centrally-run press agencies and local journalist associations. Nearly 300 excellent reports on environment, climate change, and natural disaster prevention in 2018 along with over 80 publications, scientific articles and press works were presented to visitors at the festival.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc beats the drum to open the National Press Festival on March 15, 2019

Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the role of the press in the support of the national revolution and cultural life. The press needs to disseminate information quickly, accurately, objectively and honestly about the Party guidelines and the State policies as well as opinions of the people, the Prime Minister said. The PM asked relevant agencies to strengthen management of press activities and social networks while promoting the role and responsibility of press agencies in the fight against corruption, wastefulness, negative phenomena, self-evolution and self-transformation.  The Prime Minister said: “We need to focus on improving journalists’ capability, political stance, and ethics. Journalists should apply technology and keep on the cutting edge, while demonstrating their political stance, revolutionary spirit and professionalism.”

A number of associated activities will take place during the festival such as a seminar on journalist Huynh Van Tieng, former Vice President of the VJA, a seminar on the role of the press in communications on culture standards regarding behavior, forums connecting businesses and the government, the training of young journalists, and press photo exhibitions.