Present at the event were State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Head of its Commission for Education and Communication, To Huy Rua, and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, President of the Fatherland Front of Vietnam Huynh Dam and representatives from various ministries, departments and agencies.

The National Journalism Awards contest attracted 800 entries from 77 units nationwide and the Council for National Journalism presented 80 winners with four A prizes, 11 B prizes, 21 C prizes and 41 consolation prizes.

Speaking on the occasion, State President Nguyen Minh Triet warmly congratulated all journalists on the 83rd anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21^st). He said journalists should promote the glorious tradition of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press, provide accurate, factual and unbiased information and highlight role models in national emulation movements. They should encourage citizens to live and work according to the laws, condemn reactionary allegations that could undermine political security and participate in the struggle against bureaucracy, corruption and social evils.

During the integration process, the press should be more creative to make the National Journalism Awards more prestigious and further contribute to national construction and development, Mr Triet added.