Media organizations in China and Vietnam should work together to tell the story of the nations' joint efforts in promoting peace and shared development, serving as a bridge for people-to-people exchanges, a forum heard on Thursday.

At an event themed "Dialogue in the New Era: China-Vietnam Exchange for Young Media Professionals" held in Hanoi, media industry leaders from the two countries stressed the importance of close cooperation.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, as well as the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. At the forum, Ngo Minh Hien, vice-president of the state-run broadcaster Voice of Vietnam, said the media cooperation not only deepens mutual understanding but also enhances ties.

"I believe that based on our solid foundation in the past, Vietnam-China media collaboration will continue to grow," said Hien.

"In particular, I hope that reporters from both sides will pay more visits to each other's countries and convey the true stories of cooperation and friendship."

The forum, guided by China's State Council Information Office, was jointly organized by the information office of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the China Intercontinental Communication Center, or CICC, and Voice of Vietnam.

More than 500 representatives from media organizations, universities and enterprises in both countries participated in the event. A parallel session was held simultaneously in Nanning, Guangxi.

Li Pan, director of the Guangxi information office, said he hopes that more young media professionals in the region can work with their peers to serve as messengers of exchanges, facilitators of cooperation and guardians of harmonious coexistence.

"Young people should offer their insights and wisdom and demonstrate their commitment to advancing the development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance," said Li.

The forum also witnessed the launch of "The Path of Development", coproduced by Guangxi Radio and Television and Voice of Vietnam. The joint production team visited 10 provinces and cities in both countries and interviewed more than 40 people to showcase the milestones in bilateral relations.

Directors Qin Tong from China and Nguyen Van Phu from Vietnam shared how the team overcame challenges and documented stories of bilateral friendship.

Nguyen Vinh Quang, vice-president of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, who features in the documentary, said he hopes it can help young people understand the history of Vietnam-China relations and remind them of the original aspiration of leaders from both nations to foster friendly ties.

A new media exchange initiative titled "Comrades and Brothers, Together Toward the Future" was launched by the Guangxi International Communication Center and CICC in collaboration with leading Vietnamese media outlets.

The program will see media representatives from both countries conduct joint reporting trips in Guangxi, Sichuan province and Guizhou province in China, and in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

The forum also featured artists and artisans to showcase the traditional culture of both countries.

Zhu Shaoyan, a preserver of intangible cultural heritage "Momie", brought sachets incorporating design elements of costumes in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Noting that the pieces showcased how the traditional handicraft of the Youjiang Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi can be integrated with different cultures, Zhu said she hopes more Vietnamese people can get to know about the traditional arts of China.

kelly@chinadailyapac.com