The information was revealed by Le Manh Hung, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, and head of the Press Centre of the upcoming Party Congress.

“This is the first time in history of the Party congresses, correspondents of foreign media agencies will give coverage of the event online due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hung told reporters at a press briefing at the press centre on January 18.

“We have invited 32 correspondents from 17 Party-run media agencies overseas, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have invited 67 correspondents from foreign media agencies to cover the event.”

Hung also added that as many as 474 reporters from 191 local media agencies and publications have registered to provide widespread coverage of the congress.

According to the director, preparations for the press centre have been basically completed. The centre has put forth specific programmes and scenarios to facilitate the operation of reporters.

All reporters present at the centre will undergo COVID-19 testing, at the request of organisers.