Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs talks about current affairs and press information with students

Dr. Le Hai Binh. (Photo: Thanh Long/USSH)

Attending the talk were Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Head of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, lecturers, students and trainees of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, Faculty of Political Science, Faculty of International Studies.

At the talk, Dr. Le Hai Binh discussed the main contents: History of foreign information work; Organizational structure, functions and tasks of the Press Information Department; Outstanding international current affairs and press information operations.

Dr. Le Hai Binh said: The task of the Press Information Department is to make the world's people understand the viewpoints and peaceful foreign policy of the Party and State, at the same time promote the image of Vietnam to the world; Fight against negative viewpoints, arguments, criticisms on issues of democracy, human rights and religion. Currently, the Press Information Department consists of 5 main departments: Spokesperson's Office, Reporter's Office, Public Relations, Research Management and Website Management. In 2013, the Press Information Department organized 16 regular press conferences; received over 100 questions from domestic and foreign reporters on the work of sovereignty over seas and islands, issues of democracy, human rights and foreign policy, socio-economics...; managed over 1,000 foreign reporters entering Vietnam every year and managed 93 websites.

Through recent prominent international issues such as the situation in Ukraine and information about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh pointed out experiences in handling press situations. He shared: The press needs to avoid exploiting one-sided information and the role of verifying information is very important, in addition, conscience, ethics, and professional responsibility need to be given special attention.

Students had discussions with Dr. Le Hai Binh about foreign information activities, hot current issues that are of public interest and professional experiences.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Head of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication thanked Dr. Le Hai Binh for attending the thematic talk, exchanging and providing comprehensive information about the structure and operation of the Press Information Department. Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong emphasized: The professional stories about handling press information of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have contributed to inspiring the professional passion for generations of students and trainees of the Faculty; hoping that in the future, Dr. Le Hai Binh will continue to participate in thematic talks with students.

Mr. Le Hai Binh was born in 1977 and graduated from the Academy of International Relations (now the Diplomatic Academy) in 1999. Mr. Le Hai Binh started working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000 at the Department of Asia 2 (now the Department of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and South Pacific). From October 2000 to December 2003, Mr. Le Hai Binh was an Attaché at the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei. After that, he worked as a specialist at the Department of Asia 2, the Ministry Office, Secretary to the Ministry's Leaders, and Secretary to the Minister. From December 2008, Mr. Le Hai Binh was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Policy and Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before moving to the Department of Information and Press in June 2013, Mr. Le Hai Binh held the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Policy and Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies.