Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.

President Ho Chi Minh established Youth Newspaper whose first edition appeared on June 21, 1925, to disseminate revolutionary ideas to Vietnam. Vietnam now has 18,000 licensed reporters working in 900 media agencies that produce print newspapers, radio and TV programs, and online newspapers. 40 media agencies report foreign news, including Vietnam News Agency, VTV, VOV, the Party Central Committee’s Communications and Education Commission, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Role of the press in reporting foreign news

The press has closely worked with the diplomatic sector to maintain a peaceful, stable environment and fight against misinformation about democracy, human rights, religion, and border issues. The press helps our international friends better understand Vietnam’s justice system. The public supports the Vietnamese Party and government’s policies and efforts to secure peace, stability, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The press plays a significant role in diplomatic successes such as overseas visits by high-ranking Vietnamese leaders and world leaders’ visits to Vietnam, APEC summits in 2006 and 2017, Vesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) in 2008, Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organization in 2007, and ASEAN summits. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “External information is an important part of the Party and government’s external communications. Over the past 70 years, external information work has upheld the Party’s guidelines, contributed to foreign affairs successes, and rallied public consensus and support to elevate Vietnam’s status internationally and firmly protect national interests.”

Reform to fulfill tasks

National development and global changes have created new opportunities and challenges to external information work.  Achievements of the national renewal process and Vietnam’s rising status are valuable topics covered by media. Science and technology advancements have provided more modern and effective means of communications.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh again: “The external information sector should renew awareness to serve Vietnam’s national interests. Amidst rapid changes internationally, the sector should reinvent its approach and provide accurate information about Vietnam’s achievements and national sovereignty in different languages. New technology should be applied widely.”

In each national development period, the press has been an effective channel to promote Vietnam’s image to the world. The press should continue to serve national industrialization and modernization and boost Vietnam’s status in the international arena.