His remarks came during the 20th National Press Awards ceremony, Vietnam's most prestigious journalism honors, held on June 21 in Hai Phong, a major port city in northern Vietnam.

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Senior national and local officials attend the 20th National Press Awards ceremony in Hai Phong.

The event brought together senior political leaders, media executives and journalists from across the country to celebrate outstanding reporting and reflect on the evolving role of journalism in an increasingly complex information environment.

Addressing the ceremony, Tran Thanh Man said the Vietnamese press has historically played an important role in documenting the country's development while contributing to social progress, public education and national unity.

He noted that journalists have helped expose corruption, waste and misconduct, promoted positive social values and highlighted examples of innovation, compassion and community service.

According to the National Assembly chairman, the media has also contributed to preserving Vietnam's cultural identity and introducing the country's image, people and achievements to international audiences.

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man addresses journalists and media leaders during the awards ceremony.

Reflecting on the 20-year history of the National Press Awards, Tran Thanh Man described the program as the highest professional recognition in Vietnamese journalism, honoring not only outstanding reporting but also professional integrity, social responsibility and public service.

He said Vietnam is entering a new phase of development marked by significant opportunities as well as increasingly complex challenges, requiring the country's media sector to adapt and innovate.

"The nation is changing, and journalism must also transform itself," he said.

Tran Thanh Man emphasized that journalists should continue to place national interests and public welfare at the center of their work while embracing technological change and new forms of communication.

He also urged media organizations to more effectively explain government policies, encourage innovation and help mobilize public participation in national development efforts.

Particular attention was given to the growing challenge of misinformation and distorted narratives in the digital era.

"Wherever distorted or misleading narratives emerge, the press must respond with facts. Wherever harmful information appears, journalism must help strengthen public confidence through truth and verified information," he said.

He added that journalists need strong professional ethics, political awareness, technological competence and the ability to analyze public policy in order to remain effective in a rapidly changing media landscape.

At the ceremony, Le Quoc Minh, editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan newspaper and chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, said the awards' 20th anniversary marked an important milestone in the development of Vietnamese journalism.

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Le Quoc Minh, chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association, speaks at the event.

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Eleven journalistic works received first-prize honors at the 2025 National Press Awards.

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VietNamNet received a second prize for its investigative reporting series.

He noted that many winning entries examined major national policies and strategic decisions, while others highlighted social challenges, barriers to development and inspiring stories of resilience, compassion and public service.

This year's awards honored 123 journalistic works across 13 categories, including 11 first prizes, 26 second prizes, 50 third prizes and 36 consolation prizes.

Among the winners was VietNamNet, which received a second prize for its investigative series exploring the values, traditions and identity of Vietnam's People's Public Security force.

The National Press Awards are widely regarded as Vietnam's highest journalism honors and serve as an annual showcase of the country's most impactful reporting and storytelling.

Hoai Anh