At a ceremony to mark the 85^th Revolutionary Press Day (June 21) in Hanoi on June 18, Mr Rua, who is also Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Commission for Education and Information, highlighted Vietnamese journalists’ great contributions to the country’s revolutionary cause. 

Minister of Information and Communications Le Doan Hop said that the press has successfully implemented its communication work, serving as a forum of the people, creating openness and democracy in information and contributing to the struggle for national liberation and construction.

Since the end of the 20^th century, the boom in Internet has had a great impact on the press and marked the debut of online newspapers and portals in Vietnam. 

As of December 2009, the country has 706 press agencies with more than 900 publications and 67 radio and television stations. The nation’s pay TV system has seen a fast development, with a number of domestic and foreign channels. 

The Vietnam News Agency is a national news agency that has unceasingly developed to better meet the demand for timely information, Mr Hop said.