Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh: Journalists are not only soldiers on the media front but also people who inspire and develop reading culture.

Dear delegates!

Dear journalists!

Today, in the joyful atmosphere towards the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, preparing to welcome the traditional New Year of the nation, it is also the time when the entire Party, the entire army, and the entire people are taking action, determined to successfully implement, achieve and exceed the goals and targets of socio-economic development, national defense and security in 2025, creating a premise for development in the new period.

I am very pleased to attend the Spring Press Festival - a big festival - an important and meaningful annual event for journalists in Uncle Ho's homeland and the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An 2024" Press Award Ceremony, jointly organized by the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department and Nghe An Journalists Association.

On behalf of the provincial leaders, the Steering Committee of the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An 2024" Journalism Award, would like to send our warmest regards and best wishes to all delegates, journalists, and members of the Journalists Association!

Dear comrades!

In 2024, in the context of many difficulties and challenges, but with the determination and efforts of the Party Committee, the government, the solidarity, unity and consensus of the people and the business community, the socio-economic situation in 2024 of Nghe An province has achieved positive results, with many bright spots.

27/28 targets were completed and exceeded; Nghe An's growth rate (GRDP) reached 9.01% (ranked 2nd in the North Central region, ranked 13th in the country); budget revenue reached 25,517 billion VND (the 3rd consecutive year exceeding the 20,000 billion VND mark); total export turnover reached nearly 3.7 billion USD (the 4th consecutive year exceeding the target of the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress).

Some highlights include: FDI attraction reached nearly 1.75 billion USD (the third consecutive year in the top 10 nationwide); administrative reform has many positive changes.

The cultural and social fields continued to be affirmed and had positive changes: The quality of education, people's health care, social security, etc. received careful attention from all levels and sectors; the work of building the Party and the political system received special attention and achieved many positive results; national defense and security were maintained.

This is also the year that the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - Nghe An enters its 8th season, recognizing the professionalism and scientific nature of the Organizing Committee, affirming the value, attractiveness and influence on the work of Party building, building the political system, building the staff and continuing to receive the consensus and great support of the public, of all classes of people along with the efforts, deep political awareness and professional ethics of journalists. This has been demonstrated through the quality works participating in the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An 2024" Journalism Award with valuable sources of materials, endless inspiration for creativity from people's lives, from rich and vivid practices and the results of the work of building and defending the Fatherland, of the work of building and rectifying the Party.

“Hot” issues, many topics on politics, ideology, ethics, organization, inspection, anti-corruption, fighting against wrong views, distorted arguments, protecting the Party’s ideological foundation... were discovered, exploited, and marked the journey of “devotion” in the work of journalists; the works subtly and honestly reflected the image of creative labor, dedication to the community, bringing the truth of life into poetry, both honoring the beautiful image of the Vietnamese people and having profound educational significance. Through journalistic works, they actively contributed to strengthening the trust of cadres, party members, and people in the Party, helping Party committees and organizations to perform well their leadership and orientation roles among cadres, party members, and public opinion, contributing to cleaning and strengthening the Party organization.

With 42 excellent works; 4 thematic works honored and awarded today are excellent representatives of 124 works converging, crystallizing the dedication, intelligence, courage and exploration, creativity with sharp thinking, professional conscience and social responsibility of journalists. In particular, Nghe An has 1 excellent collective award for organizing response; 1 Encouragement award, 2 thematic awards and 4 works in the final round, which is the joy and honor for the province of the National Golden Hammer and Sickle Award.

On behalf of the provincial leaders, I would like to congratulate the success of the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award - Nghe An in 2024 and congratulate the authors and groups that participated and won this year's awards. I respectfully acknowledge the contributions of many reporters, editors, and leaders of press agencies - those who directly and indirectly contributed to the "front" of information and propaganda.

Dear comrades!

In the coming time, in order for the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An" Award to have many high-quality works with profound propaganda significance, I propose that the Steering Committee and the Organizing Committee of the Award continue to promote propaganda, research, innovate, create, and organize the Award in a methodical and professional manner, so that the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An" Award will become more and more attractive in journalism activities and increasingly spread its strong vitality, positive influence, affirming the prestige and stature of the Award.

I also hope that in 2025, journalists and reporters will continue to discover and create many correct and accurate topics, demonstrating the leadership of the Party, the government, the affection for the people and the homeland through specific and practical actions, through high-quality press works building the Party, so that the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An" award will become stronger along with the development of the province. Journalists and reporters are not only soldiers on the media front but also those who inspire, encourage and develop a reading culture for the people, especially for students in the digital transformation period.

On this occasion, I also request that Party committees, authorities, Fatherland Fronts, and organizations at all levels continue to closely coordinate, support, and create the best conditions for press agencies and journalists to devote themselves to propaganda work on Party building and building an increasingly better political system. In that spirit, I would like to launch the "Golden Hammer and Sickle - Nghe An 2025" Award.

Once again, I wish all delegates, comrades, and all journalists health, happiness, success, and a warm new spring in Nghe An and in every press publication.

Thank you very much!