The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a discussion on current events and journalistic practices with students.

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

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

During the talk, Dr. Le Hai Binh discussed the following main topics: the history of external information work; the organizational structure and functions and tasks of the Press and Information Department; prominent international current affairs issues and information work of the press.

Dr. Le Hai Binh stated: The mission of the Press Information Department is to help the world understand the peaceful foreign policy views and guidelines of the Party and State, while promoting the image of Vietnam to the world; and to combat negative views and criticisms regarding issues of democracy, human rights, and religion. Currently, the Press Information Department consists of five main sections: the Spokesperson's Office, the Reporters' 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 issues related to maritime sovereignty, democracy, human rights, foreign policy, and socio-economic development; managed over 1000 visits by foreign reporters to Vietnam annually; and managed 93 websites.

Regarding recent prominent international issues such as the situation in Ukraine and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh shared some experiences in handling journalistic situations. He said: The press needs to avoid one-sided reporting, and the role of verifying information is crucial. In addition, conscience, ethics, and professional responsibility must be given special attention.

The trainees and students had discussions with Dr. Le Hai Binh about the activities of external information work, pressing current issues of public concern, 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 on the structure and operation of the Press Information Department. Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong emphasized that the professional stories about handling press information from the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have contributed to inspiring professional passion in generations of students and trainees of the Faculty; and expressed the hope that Dr. Le Hai Binh will continue to participate in thematic talks with students in the future.

Mr. Le Hai Binh was born in 1977 and graduated from the Institute of International Relations (now the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam) in 1999. He began working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000 in the Asia 2 Department (now the Southeast Asia, South Asia, and South Pacific Department). From October 2000 to December 2003, he served as an attaché at the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei. Subsequently, he worked as a specialist in the Asia 2 Department, the Ministry's Office, Secretary to the Ministry's Leadership, and Secretary to the Minister. From December 2008, Mr. Le Hai Binh was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Policy and concurrently Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before transferring 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 concurrently Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies.