Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday inaugurated a new press center where reporters can get access to fast and accurate official information on current issues with promised maximum openness and transparency.

The VND35.5 billion (US$1.5 million) center is located on the fifth and sixth floors of an office building at 255 Tran Hung Dao Street in District 1.

It is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday.

The center has two news conference rooms fitted for 50-100 people each, a VIP meeting room, a reporters’ reception area, a working area, two waiting rooms, and other service chambers.

The entire facility is built with aesthetics and convenience in mind, while maintaining a high level of security and safety.

All working areas are equipped with stationery, Internet-connected computers and large public screens where live broadcasts will be displayed during ongoing events.

Tu Luong, deputy director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications, was appointed director of the press center at Sunday’s inauguration ceremony.

City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said on Sunday he expects the center to be a source of fast and accurate official information for reporters.

All future results of inspections into wrongdoings by government bodies will be announced at the press center, Phong said.

“The city is committed to accommodating press agencies and creating the best conditions for reporters to access fast and accurate information on the principle of openness and transparency,” the municipal chairman stressed.

“There will be no ‘restricted zones,' as reporters can pose any question of their interest to city officials,” he added.

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