The image of a pen nib on a symbolic lotus flower at the entrance of the Vietnam Press Museum (Photo: Cam Thi/VOV5)

On the first floor is the image of a pen nib on a lotus flower, which embodies the motto of all Vietnamese journalists – “Sharp pen, pure heart”. The lotus petal image is created by the names of newspapers and press agencies in Vietnam from the first newspaper until now.

Also on the first floor there are 4 exhibition spaces for the periods 1865-1925, 1925-1945, 1945-1954, and 1954-1975.

The second floor portrays the innovation, development, and integration of Vietnam's revolutionary press with sub-themes: the press and the sovereignty of seas and islands, the press and welfare and development, and the press in the reform period.

The highlight of this space is local journalism. Because the exhibition area is quite small, information about each province and city is displayed in a box on a rotating pillar. There is a touch screen introducing the press history of each locality.

Exhibition space at the Vietnam Press Museum (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Nguyen Anh Thu, a student at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, said: “Vietnam’s revolutionary press has developed strongly. I’m proud to contribute to the national press as our predecessors did.”

To recreate the panorama of Vietnamese journalism history, the Museum displays many documents and rare artifacts marking important events. Tran Thi Kim Hoa, the Museum’s Director, said: “The Museum has over 20,000 items, including 700 unique objects with interesting stories behind them. These objects are the originals. There are very few reproductions.”

One of the most notable artifacts in the Museum is a 500W loudspeaker which was originally placed on the north bank of the Ben Hai river in Quang Tri province to broadcast VOV programs to people on both sides of the river during the American war. Also on display is the news bunker built by the staff of the Nhan Dan newspaper to avoid bombardment, the darkroom where the Vietnam News Agency developed film, and the first camera used by Vietnamese television.

The 500W loudspeaker which was originally placed on the north bank of the Ben Hai river in Quang Tri province during the war. (Photo: Cam Thi/VOV5)

"The Museum staff spent a lot of time and effort finding some original objects which never fail to impress our visitors. They remind older journalists of a lot of old memories," a visitor said.

"The organization is excellent. The Museum designers have recreated Vietnam’s press history since the earliest days. It’s a panoramic view of the Vietnamese press."    

Journalist Ho Quang Loi said: “At the Vietnam Press Museum we see, not just Vietnam’s press history, but the entire national history, the flow of culture, conflict, and growth. We’re proud of Vietnam's revolutionary journalism and acknowledge that the press has made great contributions to the cause of national liberation, construction, and development.”

The Vietnam Press Museum uses digital technology in its exhibits to integrate press documents, artifacts, and footages from different periods. Museum Director Tran Thi Kim Hoa said she hopes the Museum’s artifacts are worthy of a place whose aim is to preserve the legacy of Vietnamese journalism.