Foreign reporters covering the ongoing 13th National Party Congress at the National Convention Centre in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Different plans have been designed to respond to all circumstances, including a worst-case scenario, that could happen to reporters as they cover the ongoing 13th National Party Congress amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng has said.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency, Hằng said that sub-committees in charge of preparations for the congress as well as the Press Centre drew up different scenarios for foreign media before the congress opened.

In the best-case scenario, foreign media come to Việt Nam to cover the event. However, in the context of restricted travel policies in many countries amid the occurrence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, those who cannot enter Việt Nam are given the opportunity to cover the event online, she said.

More than 500 reporters and technicians from more than 200 media outlets, including 191 domestic and 26 foreign, are covering the 13th National Party Congress on-site, while close to 100 reporters from 84 international news agencies and media outlets are following the country’s biggest political event remotely.

The spokesperson said that over the last two days, as new COVID-19 cases have been found in certain localities, domestic and foreign media at the event have been tested for the virus three times, including two before the event and one on Friday morning after news of new clusters emerged early Thursday.

Nearly 1,600 delegates participating in the Congress were tested on Thursday afternoon.

Foreign reporters have been asked to implement preventive measures against COVID-19 while at the Press Centre, including wearing face masks and washing their hands before entering, she said, adding that all have acted in good faith.

Foreign media has praised Việt Nam’s achievements in maintaining political stability and economic development over the past five years, Hằng said, along with the country’s achievements in external relations and bolstering its international role and position.

She said that another issue drawing attention of overseas Vietnamese and the international media is corruption prevention and fighting. In articles on the congress, many foreign media agencies and newspapers highlighted the significance of the congress sketching out orientations for the next five years and a vision to 2045.

They said that based on the foundation laid by the country’s achievements over the years and the political determination of the congress, Việt Nam will continue to make an important imprint in the region and the world, Hằng added. — VNS