Press accompanies, significantly contributes to development of Vietnam Customs: Deputy Director General of Customs Nguyen Van Tho

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Deputy Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Tho

Could you please evaluate the role and contribution of the press and media to the Customs sector?

During the process of construction and growth, the Customs sector always attaches importance to journalism and communication work and has received regular and active companionship and support from press agencies and journalists. This is shown by the fact that the press always stands side by side with the Customs sector in carrying out assigned tasks.

Important and special events as well as the results of key and regular work aspects of the Customs sector such as anti-smuggling; administrative reform, customs modernization, and trade facilitation; budget collection; implementation of Customs development strategies; contribution of Vietnam Customs to the economic integration process are always informed by the press agencies in a timely fashion.

This is an important support and encouragement for the team of civil servants, officials, and employees of the Customs sector in the process of carrying out assigned tasks.

Not only reflecting on outstanding work results, but the press agencies also objectively and frankly reflected on difficulties, obstacles, remaining areas, and limitations for the Customs sector to quickly amend and supplement policies and regulations as well as have solutions to overcome and improve, aiming to build a professional and modern Vietnam Customs, further facilitating trade activities.

The customs field always receives attention from press agencies with a large number of news and articles every year. According to statistics, in 2023 there were about 8,700 news and articles about Customs published in all types of press (printed, online newspapers, radio, television). In particular, the General Department of Customs has coordinated with Vietnam Television to broadcast 46 numbers in the program "Vietnam Customs", periodically every week at 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday on VTV1 channel.

On behalf of the Party Committee and the leadership of the General Department of Customs, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the press agencies and the team of journalists who have always accompanied and supported the Customs sector.

On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2024), on behalf of civil servants, officials, and employees of the Customs sector, I would like to send my best congratulations to leaders of press agencies, reporters, editors and journalists across the country.

As the Deputy Director General mentioned above, the customs field always receives great attention from the press and media. So, what has the Customs sector been doing to promote the effectiveness of press and communication work?

The General Department of Customs issues an annual communication plan with constantly renewed content and form. In particular, communication content focuses on major and key issues such as anti-smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and drugs...; support and facilitation to the business community and trade facilitation; key contents on administrative procedure reform and customs modernization; authorized economic operator program; Customs - Business partnership; pilot program to support businesses in complying with the law; results of implementing Resolutions of the Secretariat on anti-corruption and staff streamlining.

In addition to the annual planned contents as mentioned above, the Customs sector has always proactively reported newly arising issues and contents under the direction of the Ministry of Finance.

In particular, in order for reporters to have a closer grasp of customs work, the General Department of Customs has organized many forms of information provision and organized field trips to local customs departments nationwide.

In 2023, the General Department of Customs organized and provided information more than 100 times to reporters from press agencies.

Organizing visits, interviews, and filming at the General Department of Customs as well as field trips to local customs departments to strengthen communication such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, An Giang.

The General Department of Customs also organizes press conferences, provides periodic information, and provides information on current issues of interest to the press.

The leaders of the General Department of Customs also direct units throughout the sector, especially local customs departments, to proactively and promptly provide information to the press, creating favorable conditions for reporters when working in local areas.

In addition, to be proactive in press and media work, the General Department of Customs always pays attention and creates conditions for press agencies and employees in charge of the communication work in the sector such as Customs Magazines, communication unit under the Office of the General Department of Customs and local customs departments, electronic portal of the General Department of Customs, Customs Research Institute.

Press agencies and communication teams of the entire sector, especially Customs Magazine, have regularly focused on producing news and articles in print and electronic publications about important activities of the sector, thereby providing complete, timely and objective information about the activities of the Customs sector to the business community and people.

In addition, Customs Magazine has organized events such as forums and seminars focusing on prioritizing issues of the Customs such as policy communication, while also performing the duties of the sector’s main communication agency, and reflecting issues of concern to the press and business community...

The Office of the General Department of Customs has performed well in the task of advising and helping leaders of the General Department to direct and orient communication work; and proactively coordinated with press agencies inside and outside the sector to effectively carry out specific communication tasks

Reporter Hoang Loan (Customs Magazine) at the 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs (June 4 to 6, 2024 in Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang province). Photo: Tran Anh

To further improve the effectiveness of communication coordination, what does the General Department of Customs expect from the press agencies?

The Government is focusing on policy communication, so the Customs sector expects press agencies to increase policy communication in the field of customs, especially new policies and regulations affecting people and businesses and key contents such as:

First, the results of implementing key projects of the Customs sector in 2024; activities aimed at celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's Finance and Customs sector; outstanding and unexpected events when performing duties of the Customs sector...

Second, the work of capacity building, strengthening discipline in performing public duties, and apparatus streamlining.

Third, the work of reforming administrative procedures, modernizing and building an information technology system to implement Digital Customs to meet professional requirements in customs clearance.

Fourth, results and solutions for budget collection and tax debt recovery to strive to complete assigned revenue targets.

Fifth, the fight against smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border; drugs and prohibited goods; commercial fraud and counterfeit goods.

Sixth, international cooperation and integration of Vietnam Customs.

Seventh, the results of implementing the Secretariat's Resolutions on anti-corruption work and staff streamlining...

The Customs sector will also continue to listen to comments from press agencies and reporters who monitor the customs field to continue implementing solutions to help the press and communication activities of the Customs sector be increasingly practical and effective.

Could you please share orientations, key tasks and solutions set for people working in journalism and communications in the sector in the coming time?

For Customs Magazine and the press and communications team of the Customs sector should closely follow the 2024 communication plan on newspapers and radio of the General Department of Customs; develop plans, tasks and solutions to carry out communication work effectively to promptly inform the Party's guidelines, policies, laws of the State, customs procedures, and outstanding work results of Vietnam Customs, contributing to successfully implement the goals and tasks set out in the Resolution of the Party's 13th National Congress.

Thereby helping people and the business community understand and raise awareness of compliance with customs policies, cooperate, support and assist Customs agencies in performing their duties...

On this occasion, on behalf of the leadership of the General Department of Customs, I acknowledge and praise the efforts of the team of communication workers of the Customs sector and hope that they continue promoting achievements, and strive more to contribute to the overall achievements of the Customs sector.

Thank you very much!