Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính delivers a speech at the ninth National External Information Service Awards held on Thursday night in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The grand ceremony for the ninth National External Information Service Awards was held in Hà Nội last night, with prizes given for works that strengthen the trust of international friends towards Việt Nam.

As many as 110 works were honoured, including eight first, 22 second, 30 third and 50 consolation prizes.

Being the unit with the highest number of entries submitted to the awards (223 entries), the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) won 19 prizes, including four first, five second, four third and six consolation prizes.

Việt Nam News representative Nguyễn Lê Hương (centre) receives the second prize for a series of stories on the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and other countries at the award ceremony on Thursday night in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Anh

Việt Nam News won the second prize for a series of stories on celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and other countries, written by Trần Thị Thu Vân, Nguyễn Lê Hương, Đinh Vũ Nhật Hồng, Cao Thị Ly Ly and Ollie Arci.

VNA’s four first prizes included the series of articles presented in megastory format: "Mastering the ‘soft power’ of human rights: Việt Nam confidently enters the ‘big playground’" from VietnamPlus online newspaper; a series of English articles titled “Armed with bamboo diplomacy, Việt Nam navigating headwinds" by News for Foreign Service Department; “The 1973 Paris Agreement: Diplomatic bravery in the Hồ Chí Minh era” by Le Courrier du Vietnam; and photo series "Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s official visit to China" by Lê Trí Dũng from the Press Photography Department.

According to the organising committee, the awards this year received the highest number of entries ever, with 1,456 entries.

The categories of printed newspapers, online newspapers, Vietnamese and foreign language websites still lead in the number of entries.

Đoàn Thị Tuyết Nhung, VNA deputy director general, said the quality of works and publications this year is better than before with diversified topics with innovative coverage.

The entries have demonstrated innovative and modern thinking of authors. They have effectively applied technology, artificial intelligence and new media reporting tools with diversified, unique and modern methods of expression, matching the demands and information access habits of different audiences, especially young people.

About 30 foreigners submitted their works, mainly in the foreign language print and electronic newspaper categories.

Publications by foreigners mainly focus on analysing Việt Nam's foreign policy and the country's role and position in the international arena, socio-economic development situation, as well as people-to-people exchange activities.

They demonstrated deep understanding and affection for the country and Vietnamese people, contributing to creating a positive information flow of international public opinion about Việt Nam.

Addressing the ceremony last night, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính told the external information service sector to strengthen promotion of the nation and Vietnamese people, especially major historic achievements, and about national solidarity as well as cultural identities.

Each citizen is an ambassador in the foreign information task, he said.

Creativity in reporting methods and content must be a key task to improve the efficiency and persuasion of foreign information work, he noted, saying: "We must write vivid stories with unique national features and convey messages that foreign friends care about so that the world can understand, accompany, trust and love Việt Nam." — VNS