Vietnam’s press has grown in quantity, media platforms, publications, the number of reporters and readers, infrastructure, technology, and financial capability. Media agencies have created strong social impacts. Almost all ministries, sectors, organizations, localities, occupational associations, religions, and social strata have their own publications.

Media is a forum to protect people’s interests and freedom

Vietnam has 812 press agencies with 1,084 publications. There are 67 radio and TV stations from the central to local levels, including 2 national stations, 1 digital TV station, and 64 provincial radio and TV stations, producing 172 channels.

There are 74 online newspapers and magazines, 336 social networks, and 1,174 web portals. 19,000 members of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, including 17,000 journalists having licenses, have favorable conditions to practice their profession within the framework of law.

In Vietnam, media is an important platform and tool to protect people’s interests and freedom. All people have the right to voice their aspirations and contribute opinions to all social aspects through the media. Organizations and associations have their own press publications to meet their members’ demand and rights to be informed. 

Legal corridor for media to develop freely

Since the Communist Party of Vietnam initiated and steered the national reform and international integration, Vietnam has paid more attention to freedom, transparency, and publicity of information and created the best possible conditions for mass media to develop. The public inside and outside Vietnam have appreciated radio and TV stations for broadcasting live National Assembly’s Question and Answer sessions with cabinet members, including the Prime Minister. Topical discussions of the NA’s Standing Committee, Q&A sessions of the People’s Councils at all levels have also broadcast live on mass media. Upholding the Party Central Committee’s Resolution, all ministers seriously participated in the forum “People ask, Ministers answer.”

In responding to people’s request for transparency and publicity of information, the Prime Minister issued regulations on spokesperson and information publication for ministries, government agencies, and city and provincial People’s Committees in line with the law.

The Government office holds monthly press conference on the government’s activities and managerial work. Ministries, ministerial level agencies, government agencies, and city and provincial People’s Committees inform the media of their activities one a month and organize press conference every 3 months. They are responsible for informing the public of pressing issues and answering people’s questions through the column “Readers’ opinions” on newspapers or “Audience’ opinions” on radio and TV channels.

With its duty of reflecting and involving in social criticism, Vietnam’s revolutionary press has become an important channel for functional agencies to consult and fine tune the Party’s guidelines and State policies to match people’s lives.

While identifying and honoring good people and good deed, the media has actively engaged in combating corruption, red-tape, and other social phenomena which have received public appreciation.

Vietnam’s press has enjoyed a legal framework to work freely and obtained sizable achievements, contributing to national construction and defense.