The Vietnamese Journalists’ Association (VJA) hosted a ceremony in DinhHoa district in the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen onApril 21 to celebrate its 65 th anniversary (April 21, 1950-2015).

In his speech at the event—which brought together a crowd ofrepresentatives from press agencies and members of VJA’s chaptersnationwide—VAJ Vice Chairman Pham Quoc Toan reminded participants of theassociation’s formation 65 years ago.

On April 21, 1950, acongress was held in Diem Mac commune, Dinh Hoa district to establishthe Association of Vietnam Press Writers; the name was then changed tothe Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) during its second congress in1959.

On July 7, 1976, more than ayear since the nation was reunified, the southern Association ofPatriotic and Democratic Journalists merged with the VJA.

Duringthe nation’s resistance wars, the association connected reporters andeditors working at press agencies and VJA’s chapters throughout thecountry, significantly contributing to national liberation anddevelopment.

The VJA now has 22,000 members nationwide,increasing substantially from the initial 300 members. More than 400journalists laid down their lives working on battlefields during thefight for national independence and reunification.

The association’s 10th Congress is scheduled to convene in August to map out orientations for 2015-2020.

On the occasion, enterprises and press agencies presented gifts to a number of ethnic minority households in the locality.

Participants also offered incense in the Ho Chi Minh memorial house in Phu Dinh commune, Dinh Hoa district.-VNA