Solutions for developing foreign information of Hanoi capital by 2020

This is an activity within the framework of the city-level project 01X-10/03-2014-2 chaired by Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities). The main objective of the project is to systematize and analyze domestic and foreign documents; survey and evaluate the current status of Hanoi's foreign information activities since the renovation; and propose solutions to develop the capital's foreign information until 2020.

View of the sitting meditation/Photo: Thanh Ha

The seminar is the first meeting between the research team and experts, researchers, and policy makers to discuss issues related to the theory and practice of foreign information activities in general and of Hanoi in particular.

Hanoi currently has 14 press agencies with 25 publications, 7 magazines, 9 press agencies have built electronic information pages. The Radio and Television Station broadcasts on 2 channels H1, H2, broadcasts 65 TV channels on the cable TV system and 23 digital TV channels broadcast via satellite. Online TV programs implemented since 2002 and online radio since 2005 have helped to better serve the needs of overseas Vietnamese listeners. Two bulletins carry out foreign information work: Hanoi Foreign Affairs Bulletin, Cooperation and Friendship Bulletin published in bilingual English-Vietnamese. In addition, the city also has hundreds of central press agencies, representative offices of domestic and foreign press agencies, central diplomatic agencies, thousands of foreign organizations... With that characteristic, Hanoi's foreign information work is considered to have an extremely important role, requiring fast, accurate, and timely information; the form must also be rich and modern; the information content must be in-depth and highly effective; the team of reporters working in this field must increasingly have specialized skills...

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh presented the report titled "Foreign information as a means of implementing foreign policy"/Photo: Thanh Ha

At the seminar, the introductory report of Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh focused on clarifying the basic concepts of foreign information, the nature of foreign information, the relationship between foreign policy and foreign information, the difference between foreign information and foreign propaganda...

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Son (Academy of Journalism and Communication) presented the report "Concept, importance and viewpoints of the Party and State on foreign information work"/Photo: Thanh Ha

The presentation of Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Son (Academy of Journalism and Communication) discussed the importance of foreign information in promoting Vietnam's image; making the world understand the Party and State's guidelines and policies; promoting achievements in the country's renovation; fighting against distorted arguments; creating sympathy and support, cooperation and assistance from friends around the world.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen (Deputy Head of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication) presented the report "Experience and lessons on foreign information activities in some countries in the region and the world"/Photo: Thanh Ha

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen (Faculty of Journalism and Communication) presented a discussion on the experience of foreign information activities in some countries that can be applied to Vietnam. The article shares and evaluates the effectiveness of foreign information activity models in the world through specific activities: establishing an international media center, building a foreign language website, implementing foreign media campaigns in foreign newspapers, organizing international press conferences, organizing international events to attract media, etc.

Mr. Phan Dang Long (Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Hanoi Party Committee) spoke at the seminar/Photo: Thanh Ha

In addition, other presentations reflected the achievements in the foreign information activities of the Capital such as: "Assessment of the current situation of foreign information activities of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications", "Assessment of the current situation of foreign information activities of the Hanoi Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism", "Assessment of the current situation of foreign information activities of Hanoi City", "Assessment of the current situation of foreign information activities of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations", "Cultural diplomacy - a right direction of Hanoi culture in the period 1986-2010"...