Vietnamese Press: Loyalty – Creativity – Courage – Innovation for the Cause of National Development and Defense

The 2025 Festival coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press (1925–2025). The event also looks ahead to other major milestones, including the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, National Day (September 2), the 135th birth anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh, and the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

Vietnamese Press Remains Pioneers on the frontlines of ideology and culture

Delivering the opening remarks at the National Press Festival 2025, Comrade Lê Quốc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhân Dân Newspaper, Vice Head of the Central Commission for Information and Education and Mass Mobilization, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, stated that the National Press Festival—formerly known as the Spring Press Festival—has long been an eagerly awaited annual event for media professionals nationwide.

The festival serves as a meaningful occasion for press associations and media organizations from both central and local levels to come together and honor the proud and glorious legacy of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.

Over the past 100 years, Vietnamese journalism has always held high the banner of struggle, contributing greatly to the revolutionary cause and the nation’s liberation. Today, even as the goals of independence and freedom have become a reality, the press continues to fulfill its mission as a vanguard force on the ideological and cultural front—playing a crucial role in fostering economic development, revitalizing national culture, and building a prosperous, strong, democratic, just, and civilized Vietnam.

The Festival is also an opportunity to honor the contributions and achievements of the press sector, reaffirming the pioneering role and social responsibility of journalists. It is a source of inspiration, reigniting passion and professional pride among media workers as they continue on the path of serving the people and the nation.

According to Comrade Lê Quốc Minh, the theme of this year’s Festival - “Vietnamese Press: Loyalty – Creativity – Courage – Innovation for the Cause of National Development and Defense”—serves as a guiding principle for journalists as they carry forward their noble mission in a new era of national transformation.

The 2025 edition features notable innovations, including large-scale modern exhibitions, and a rich variety of cultural and artistic programs. The festival showcases 130 booths highlighting outstanding publications from 124 central and local press agencies and journalist associations.

A key highlight is the central exhibition space dedicated to the special theme: “100 Years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press: Achievements and Development Trends in the New Era.” The organizing committee has curated and digitized over 500 valuable photos, artifacts, and documents chronicling the century-long development journey of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.

Comrade Lê Quốc Minh emphasized that a strong political stance is an essential quality for revolutionary journalists. Journalists must have the courage to tell the truth, to confront sensitive and pressing social issues, and to fight against corruption, wastefulness, and other negative phenomena. At the same time, they must demonstrate resilience in the face of pressure and temptation, while upholding professional ethics and social responsibility.

Innovation, he stressed, is both an ongoing and inevitable process. The press must rethink traditional practices, transitioning from conventional newsrooms to integrated, multi-platform editorial models. Innovation enhances competitiveness and involves continuous learning to improve professional knowledge and skills, ensuring the press meets evolving reader demands and aligns with global development trends.

“Journalism must remain a pioneering force in promoting positive values, inspiring patriotism, and fostering national unity—thereby contributing to the collective strength that propels our nation toward prosperity and firmly safeguards independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Comrade Lê Quốc Minh affirmed.

Journalists must deepen their commitment, passion, and aspiration with greater responsibility in the new era

Speaking at the National Press Festival 2025, Comrade Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Head of the Central Commission for Information and Education and Mass Mobilization, affirmed that generations of revolutionary journalists have always remained steadfast and resilient, staying true to the words of beloved President Hồ Chí Minh: “Journalists are also revolutionary soldiers; their pen and paper are sharp weapons.”

Vietnamese journalists have consistently played a leading role on the ideological and cultural front—contributing to national unity, fostering belief in victory during the liberation struggle, and supporting today’s efforts in renewal, development, and international integration.

The press, he noted, truly serves as the voice of the Party and State, a trusted forum of the people, and a strong bridge connecting the Party’s will and the people’s hearts. Journalism reflects public sentiment and aspirations, spreads humanistic values, promotes truth and beauty, and resolutely combats falsehood and evil. It is also a frontline force in safeguarding the ideological foundation of the Communist Party, refuting hostile and wrongful views, and reinforcing public trust in the path toward socialism under the Party’s leadership.

Comrade Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa highlighted that this year’s Festival symbolizes the inheritance and evolution of Vietnamese journalism—from traditional newsrooms to digital platforms, from printed newspapers to electronic, audio-visual, and multi-platform journalism, from “pen and paper” to artificial intelligence and big data. The exhibitions, especially those on journalism history and digital transformation, vividly portray this journey from tradition to modernity.

Innovation, he stressed, must be the driving force; technology must be the tool that elevates Vietnamese journalism. More importantly, journalism must renew from within—in leadership thinking, newsroom models, content production and distribution methods, and audience relationships. The press must strengthen its role in social critique, protect ideological foundations, foster unity and consensus, and ignite patriotism and national pride. It must inspire dedication and ambition to help guide the country confidently into a new era of strength, prosperity, and civilization.

Comrade Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa affirmed that Vietnam’s revolutionary press has a glorious 100-year legacy—but glory only holds true value when it is succeeded by a bold aspiration to reach further. The Festival’s opening is both a time to remember and express gratitude, and an opportunity to look forward and shape the future.

He expressed his hope that each journalist and media agency will help shape that future—with renewed thinking, refreshed expression, and a deeper social role. The public’s enthusiastic presence at the National Press Festival today is a clear demonstration of trust and expectation in the integrity of journalists and in the continued brilliance of revolutionary journalism, as it lights the way in Vietnam’s rise.

Quoting Party General Secretary Tô Lâm: “The new era brings new, higher demands for revolutionary journalism. The press must develop accordingly—rising with the nation and matching the stature of a professional, humanistic, and modern media landscape”, Comrade Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa reaffirmed that this is not only a strategic orientation, but a call to action. From this Festival, Vietnamese revolutionary journalism must boldly advance into a new phase—with confidence, ambition for renewal, and a noble mission: to serve the nation and the people.

He concluded with a heartfelt message: “May every journalist deepen their love for the profession, stand firm, and nurture a burning aspiration to move forward—armed with greater courage and responsibility—to be truly worthy as pioneers on the frontlines of ideology and culture in this new era.”