HÀ NỘI — Foreign language entries published by foreign press agencies are welcomed to enter the National External Information Service Awards 2018, said Lê Quốc Minh, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) at the award launching event on Thursday.

This year, the contest is hosted by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and VNA, aiming to recognise outstanding authors, books and publications in delivering images of the new Việt Nam to international audiences.

Launched in 2014, it is open for all Vietnamese and foreign reporters who have published or broadcast works via licensed mass media in Việt Nam or overseas between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

Entries must be sent by March 31, 2019 to the office of the VNA’s Federation of Journalists at 4th floor, 79 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội, labelled ‘Submission for National External Information Service Awards 2018.’

The winners will be announced in May, 2019.

Speaking at the award launching event, Bùi Trường Giang, the commission’s deputy head, stressed the contribution of external information services to political stability, development, national defence and international integration.

In 2018, Việt Nam has taken efforts to improve the country’s prestige by hosting external affair events including the World Economic Forum on ASEAN, the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit and the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

On behalf of this year standing agency of the award, Minh said he expected VNA’s links with other more than 40 foreign news agencies and a network of 30 representative offices in all five continents would help VNA spread information about the contest.

Last year, about 970 entries published in 15 languages competed. Sixty seven works were honoured including seven first, 15 second, 18 third and 27 consolation prizes.

For more information, contact the orgainsing board via giaithuongdoingoai2018@gmail.com. — VNS