Media connects Vietnam - US relations in the 21st century

Overview of the discussion (photo by Huyen Pham)

Chairing the discussion, Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien, President of the Vietnam - US Association, emphasized the role of the discussion: "The Vietnam - US relationship is entering a phase that requires more actions in the future for the young generations of the two countries. Young people are not allowed to forget history but must strive not to repeat history."

Responding to the Ambassador, Mr. Ted Anthony, Director of the AP News Agency in the Asia-Pacific region, expressed his agreement with the significance of the program. The discussion is an important activity for exchanging experiences between journalists, especially young journalists, about their work. This will contribute significantly to improving people-to-people relations to achieve mutual understanding. It is a driving force to connect Vietnam - US relations in the 21st century.

Also at the discussion, delegate Ha Minh Hue, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, highly appreciated the contributions of the press in general and the AP news agency in particular during the Vietnam War and in the expansion of the Vietnam-US friendship later on.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, is sharing his views (photo by Huyen Pham)

As a continuation, Ms. Vu Viet Trang, Head of the Editorial Secretariat of VNA, said in her speech: "The desire for peace is the eternal desire of all nations." Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh emphasized: The press is information but must have political balance, must ensure the role of representing history and the truth.

The discussion also took time for today's young generation to look back at images of the past. The hall was silent as photos of the Vietnam War were shown by journalist Nick Ut, representing the AP news agency, along with stories related to the painful and loss-filled context of Vietnam.

The war is over, but its memories will never be forgotten. "The 21st century Vietnam-US relationship is entering a phase where it is more necessary for the future of the younger generation. The young people of the two countries are not allowed to forget history but must strive not to repeat it. The media will be the bridge connecting the relationship between the two countries in the new century," Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien expressed.

At the end of the discussion, journalist Vu Huyen, former Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, presented three photo collections about the war, the country and people of Vietnam by Vietnamese photographers to the representative of AP News Agency. He expressed his hope that AP would expand the sharing of knowledge and experience in journalism with journalists and the younger generation of Vietnamese journalists so that the Vietnamese and American press can further connect and develop.