Information and Press Department marks 70 years of establishment

The Information and Press Department under the Foreign Ministry held a ceremony in Hanoi on December 13 to celebrate 70 years of its establishment (1946-2016) and receive the Labour Order, first class, from the Party and State.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh (right) presents the Labour Order, first class, to the Department of Information and Press.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, former Deputy PMs and FMs Nguyen Manh Cam and Pham Gia Khiem, and former Deputy PM Vu Khoan.

In his remarks, Director of the Information and Press Department and Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh reviewed the 70 years of the agency’s foundation and development, affirming that external information work is closely attached with foreign affairs.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung noted that over the past seven decades, external information work has contributed significantly to the struggle for national liberation and reunification; the elimination of sanctions; the normalisation of ties with countries, international organisations and the region; and the safeguarding of the nation’s sacred sovereignty.

The department has not only successfully performed its information tasks but also worked actively to build and promote Vietnam as an innovative and open country, a vibrant economy, an active and responsible member of the international community, a country of peace and prosperous development as well as an appealing destination to international friends, Dung said.

He urged external information workers to be agile and creative; build on experience and the traditions of predecessors; promote the strength of the youth; scientifically and creatively apply advantages brought about by information technology, the Internet, social networks and modern means of media to fulfil their duties and promote the image of the country.

At the ceremony, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh, authorised by the President, presented the Labour Oder, first class, to the Department of Information and Press.

On the occasion, the department also received congratulatory flowers from President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Politburo member and Standing member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Dinh The Huynh.

(Source: NDO)