Opening Ceremony of the Vietnamese Spring Press Festival in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

On the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year 2015 of the Lao people, the Ministry of Information and Communications of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Lao People's Democratic Republic jointly organized the Vietnam Spring Press Festival 2015 at the Vietnam Cultural Center in Laos (No. 101, Pangkham Street, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic) from April 10 to 20, 2015.

Attending the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Spring Press Festival in Laos in 2015, on the Vietnamese side were Deputy Minister Truong Minh Tuan, representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Journalists Association, the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and more than 50 journalists from Vietnam. On the Lao side were the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos, Boseng Khamvong Dara, leaders of various ministries, departments, and organizations, leaders of Vientiane Capital, representatives of several news agencies of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, along with a large number of Vietnamese people in Laos and the people of Laos.

Deputy Minister Truong Minh Tuan led Lao guests on a tour of the Vietnam Spring Press Festival in Laos.

In his opening remarks at the 2015 Vietnam Spring Press Festival in Laos, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Truong Minh Tuan, reiterated the tradition of friendship between Vietnam and Laos, the significance and achievements of Vietnamese journalism, and its contributions to strengthening Vietnam-Laos relations, as well as the tradition and meaning of organizing the Vietnam Spring Press Festival in Laos.

Deputy Minister Truong Minh Tuan expressed his hope: "With the attention of the high-level leaders of the two Parties and States, and the enthusiastic support of the people of the two countries, the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos in the field of information and communication in general, and in the fields of journalism, publishing, radio, television, and electronic information in particular, will be continuously strengthened and developed, making practical contributions to the cause of reform in each country and bringing the rare special relationship between the two countries to a new level."

On the Lao side, the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Savankhon RasaMoonti, also expressed his joy and appreciation for the activities fostering friendship between the two nations.

In 2015, Vietnam and Laos celebrated many important events, including the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association; the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification; and the 125th anniversary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh...

Spring Newspaper Fair in Laos

This year's Spring Press Festival features thousands of publications, primarily those published during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Year of the Goat 2015), as well as numerous radio and television programs and prominent online news sites showcasing Vietnam's political, economic, cultural, and social achievements, and introducing the country and its people. The Spring Press Festival also provides an opportunity for Vietnamese journalists to meet and interact with Vietnamese expatriates and the people of Laos.

Over the years, alongside the country's reform process, Vietnamese journalism has undergone continuous innovation and development.

Currently, Vietnam has 845 print media outlets with 1,111 publications (including 199 print newspapers and 646 print magazines belonging to central and provincial/city-level agencies and organizations). Regarding radio and television, there are 67 radio and television stations from the central to provincial/city levels, with 75 broadcast radio channels and 104 broadcast television channels in Vietnam. In terms of electronic information, there are 98 online newspapers and magazines; and 207 general news websites of media agencies and other organizations. Vietnam currently has nearly 20,000 journalists. Vietnamese journalism is becoming increasingly rich and diverse. Professionalism, two-way communication, openness, and transparency are valued, reflecting truthful information about the country and the world, in line with the interests of the nation and its people.

According to the plan, after the closing ceremony, all printed Vietnamese newspapers and equipment from this year's Spring Press Festival will be donated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications to the Vietnamese Cultural Center in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

According to Infonet