HÀ NỘI– Sixty nine press works were honoured by the National External Information Service Awards 2016 at a ceremony in Hà Nội yesterday.

The awards included six first prizes, 15 second prizes, 18 third prizes, and 30 consolation prizes.
This is the third time the awards have been held by the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission and the Central Steering Committee for External Information Services.
The 2016 contest received 893 entries in 17 languages, up 21 per cent in number of entries and six languages more compared to last year.
President Trần Đại Quang and head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission Võ Văn Thưởng presented awards to the first prize winners.
The prize winning works focused on themes like Việt Nam’s political and diplomatic activities, seas and islands, culture, environment and climate change.
The State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) won one first prize, four second prizes, two third prizes, and five consolation prizes.
The first-prize photo “Early election in Trường Sa (Spratly) Archipelago” by Trần Lê Lâm from the VNA’s Press Photography Department was evaluated to as an excellent photograph.
Speaking at the event, Thưởng said external information is an important part in the communication and external work of the Party and State, which helps people around the world understand Việt Nam’s policies.
The work also promotes the country’s land, people, history and culture as well as achievements in the “đổi mới” (renewal) process, he added.
At the same time, the external information service keeps the domestic public updated on the latest developments in the region and the world, connects Việt Nam with the international community and Vietnamese abroad and garners support from international friends along with contributions of expatriates to the cause of national building and defence, the official said.
The service also provides accurate information to fight wrong viewpoints and distorted allegations about Việt Nam, he noted.
The head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission urged external information agencies to improve their performance and reach wider audiences.
The National External Information Service Awards was launched in 2014. — VNS