HÀ NỘI — Journalist and photographer Giản Thanh Sơn has recently released a new photobook entitled Vị Thế Việt Nam (Việt Nam’s Status in the World), featuring the diplomatic work of Việt Nam’s former President, Trương Tấn Sang during his five-year term (2011-2016).

The book also showcases the diplomatic achievements of the country within President Sang’s term, which has contributed to peaceful, stable and favourable conditions for the development of diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and other countries.

Such achievements have also contributed to the socio-economic development, the preservation of sovereignty, national defence and the nation’s status.

To finish the book, Sơn, had to closely accompany President Sang during his official visits to more than 30 nations worldwide and international conferences across the globe during his five-year term.

“I worked on this book with the responsibilities of the journalist, and moreover, of a citizen in the context of national development. I put all my heart into the compiling process. It is a bilingual book with international elements so I felt even more responsibility. It took nearly ten months, both days and nights, to finish,” Sơn said.

According to him, the book features more than 400 photos and nearly 70,000 words, both in Vietnamese and English.

“After this book, I will publish Vòng Quanh Thế Giới (Around the World) book to introduce the culture, architecture and daily activities of the countries I have set foot in. I have nurtured the idea for the book for over ten years now. As soon as it is released, I will present it to museums, public libraries and schools so that more people will learn about Việt Nam’s diplomatic achievements,” he adds.

Giản Thanh Sơn was born in 1957 in the southern province of Long An. He is a member of the Vietnam Journalists Asociation and the Vietnam Lawyer Association. As a journalist for more than 40 years, he has travelled to 60 countries and participated in many United Nations conferences and summits.

Sơn has set four national records recognised by the Vietnam Books of Records for photography. He is currently working as a correspondent covering the President of Việt Nam. — VNS