From an information agency established when the country entered the war to defend the country, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has continuously developed, contributing to writing the glorious history of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press.
During its 80-year journey of establishment and development (1945-2025), Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has recorded heroic milestones and pages in the cause of protecting and building the country; becoming a modern national media complex with all types of information, a prestigious news agency in the region and internationally; promptly providing official information to the domestic and foreign media system, effectively contributing to domestic and foreign propaganda work; deserving to be the strategic and reliable information center of the Party, State and People.
Facing the era of technology, integration and innovation, VNA continues its mission, affirming its key role and position in Vietnam's revolutionary journalism and reaching international level.
Shocking the information front in wartime
VNA was born in special circumstances. On September 15, 1945, just 13 days after President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, VNA (at that time Vietnam News Agency - VNTTX) broadcast the full text of the historic Declaration of Independence in three languages: Vietnamese, French, and English, announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the list of the provisional government.
This was the first news bulletin of VNA, marking an important event: Vietnam officially had a state news agency, carrying out the mission of transmitting the voice of the nation. From that moment, VNA was not only a press organization, but also a strategic information agency, accompanying the country in every historical turning point.
During its 80-year journey of establishment and development (1945-2025), Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has recorded heroic milestones and pages in the cause of protecting and building the country; becoming a modern national media complex.
During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, as well as in the wars to protect the southwestern and northern borders and to carry out international missions in Laos and Cambodia, the staff, reporters and technicians of VNA were not only journalists but also real soldiers.
Following President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "The faster the news, the faster the resistance will win", they were present on every battlefield, both participating in combat and recording historical news and images to provide to the Party Central Committee, the Government and media agencies.
On December 19, 1946, VNA broadcast to the whole country and the world the news that the French colonialists had broken their promise, re-ignited the war of aggression against Vietnam, and President Ho Chi Minh's call for national resistance.
After that, during the 9 years of resistance war against French colonialism, VNA overcame countless difficulties and hardships by moving locations 21 times to avoid enemy search and detection, ensuring information to serve the Party and Uncle Ho.
The Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 was a brilliant milestone of the Vietnamese revolution and the news of the capture of French General De Castries and the entire command of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold group, broadcast by VNA on May 7, 8 and 9, 1954, shocked public opinion in the country and the world.
On October 15, 1954, just 5 days after the liberation of Hanoi, Vietnam News Agency launched Vietnam Pictorial Newspaper. This is the first and only official foreign information newspaper in Vietnam.
Right on the cover of the first issue published 60 years ago is the image of a National Guard soldier liberating the capital, holding a baby in his arms. The simple but meaningful photo by military photographer Bui Duy Ly expressed the desire for peace and happiness of the Vietnamese people who had to go through long years of war against foreign invaders to protect the Fatherland.
With the name of the first issues being " Images of Vietnam, " throughout the past 60 years, Vietnam Pictorial has always been like a photographic chronicle that vividly and realistically depicts the portrait of the country and people of Vietnam.
During the resistance war against the US, to save the country and build socialism in the North, VNA did not miss any important domestic and international events, even when the war was at its fiercest. VNA reporters were present in the hottest and most arduous areas to record the brave and heroic fighting images of our army and people.
There is no battlefield, no direction of attack, no combat area where VNA reporters are absent. Many photos and news reports of VNA have become historical witnesses.
Not only “staying close to the battlefield”, VNA reporters also “staying close to the people”. The reporters delved into the lives of the people in the liberated areas, into each resistance village. Short but emotional news reports, black and white photos depicting the faces of evacuated children, old men working as laborers, students learning to read and write in shelters… touched people’s hearts, acting as both vivid historical documents and sharp spiritual weapons to encourage the entire people to fight and win.
Contributing to the heroic history of VNA during the resistance war against the US to save the country, it is impossible not to mention the position and role of the Liberation News Agency - the extended arm of VNA in the South. During 15 years of operation (1960-1975), the Liberation News Agency (GP) and VNA always stood side by side in every battle to have news and photos reflecting the fierceness of the war as well as the patriotic spirit of the liberation army soldiers and the people of the South.
Nearly 260 officers, reporters and staff of VNA heroically sacrificed their lives; many left parts of their bodies on the battlefield and many suffered from illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. This is a significant number for a press agency, demonstrating the fierceness of the war and the dedication of revolutionary journalists in the cause of national liberation and reunification.
VNA was also the main unit providing information about the two delegations of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam in their diplomatic struggle with the delegation of the US and the Saigon puppet regime at the Paris Conference on Vietnam; thereby, effectively serving the negotiation work, at the same time creating public sympathy domestically and internationally, together with the people of the whole country to create the historic victory of Spring 1975.
On April 30, 1975, VNA was honored and proud to broadcast historical news and photos about the great victory of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, bringing the country together, opening a new era, an era of independence, freedom, unification and building socialism across the country.
Contributing to that victory, nearly 260 cadres, reporters and staff of VNA heroically sacrificed their lives; many left parts of their bodies on the battlefield and many suffered from illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. This is a significant number for a press agency, demonstrating the fierceness of the war and the dedication of revolutionary journalists in the cause of national liberation and reunification.
The contributions of VNA during the war helped build a "model battlefield journalism" that was both courageous and humane, rich in epic qualities, and close to the breath of people's lives.
Breakthroughs in journalism
After the country was completely reunified, VNA quickly transformed itself to meet the new requirements of the peaceful period. There were no more bombs and bullets, but the information front was still hot and complicated in the context of the country starting the process of innovation and international integration.
Right from the first years after 1975, VNA focused on rebuilding its organizational structure, expanding its network of domestic and international correspondents, and converting its working methods from manual to modern... Each news line broadcast not only truthfully reflected the people's lives and the country's reconstruction, but also contributed to affirming Vietnam's position, sovereignty and image in the international arena.
During the golden age of VNA printed newspapers (2001-2003), the circulation of Tin Tuc and The Thao & Van Hoa newspapers reached over 340,000 copies/day. Tin Tuc was even published on holidays, but it was still not enough to meet the needs of readers.
“After 1975, the country was unified, and our people had many needs, including the need for information. We asked the question: Can VNA bring information directly to readers? That is a problem and also the task of the industry. The leadership of the News Agency is very sensitive to the change in information needs and has thought of that idea,” former General Director of Vietnam News Agency Tran Mai Huong shared about the idea of launching newspapers of the industry after Liberation.
“And then in 1982, the time was ripe, we could turn that idea into a concrete product when VNA made the first live news report about Espana'82. For the first time, the state news agency made news reports about an international football tournament, providing fast news, something that was probably very new and strange to the people,” Mr. Huong emphasized.
According to commentator Vu Quang Huy, Espana'82 was the first World Cup to be broadcast live on Vietnamese television, but not in full. Moreover, at that time, not everyone had a TV and the World Wide Web (www) had not even been invented yet. Therefore, the VNA's Flash News was truly an important milestone in the history of journalism and football in Vietnam, not only providing information but also bringing new concepts and knowledge.
“For the first time, the state news agency has made news bulletins about an international football tournament, providing fast news, something that is probably very new and strange to the people.”
“It was a breakthrough for sports journalism at that time in reaching out to the world. Information was quick in the context of other media being poor and backward. VNA’s Quick News and the Sports & Culture weekly were important channels to update hot news, and also orient the passion for many future sports journalists,” commentator Vu Quang Huy asserted.
According to Mr. Tran Mai Huong, this is an experiment. VNA realizes that society has a huge need for information and we can respond directly, instead of simply informing newspapers and domestic and foreign information channels as we are doing.
The success of the Espana'82 newsletter was the premise for VNA to launch the International Culture and Sports Weekly (later the Sports & Culture newspaper) and in 1983 the News Weekly (later the News newspaper), followed by the World Science, Technology and Economic Weekly (later Science & Technology).
Former General Director Le Quoc Trung said that during the golden age of VNA printed newspapers (2001-2003), the circulation of Tin Tuc and The Thao & Van Hoa newspapers reached over 340,000 copies per day. Tin Tuc was even published on holidays, but it was still not enough to meet the needs of readers.
Looking back at that vibrant period, Mr. Tran Mai Huong assessed that generations of leaders of VNA had to have very high political determination when launching newspapers that had a great influence on the country's press.
“When he was alive, former General Director Do Phuong said that when we were working on Sports & Culture newspaper, then Weekly News newspaper, then World Economic Science and Technology newspaper, the line between the approval and disapproval of superiors was not clear. At that time, we had to put the leaders in charge, Mr. Dao Tung was in charge of Weekly News newspaper, Mr. Do Phuong was in charge of Sports & Culture newspaper, or Mr. Nguyen Duc Giap was in charge of World Economic Science and Technology newspaper.”
“That demonstrates a very high political determination, overcoming the boundaries of opposing opinions to achieve one’s development goals. That is determination, daring to put one’s reputation on new things to create trust and support for colleagues to do,” Mr. Tran Mai Huong affirmed.
“These three publications represent a breakthrough in information for our industry during the pre-reform period. This thinking is very correct, demonstrating the vision and innovation ability of the leadership of that period. These were innovations and successful innovations.”
The leading flag in the fight against corruption
Not only innovating in the way of conveying official information to readers, VNA also raised high the flag of fighting negativity in the period "the night before Renovation."
“Since its first issue on May 14, 1983, Tue Tin Tuc has been known as a leading newspaper in the anti-corruption movement,” former General Director of VNA Le Quoc Trung recounted in an enthusiastic tone. “The newspaper has gradually established a solid position in the Vietnamese revolutionary press, contributing a responsible voice to the cause of Renovation initiated by the Party and State.”
The investigative series “The coal region on the threshold of alarm,” the series about the case of Mr. Ha Trong Hoa, Secretary of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee at that time… were journalistic works that shocked the public at that time.
Mr. Le Quoc Trung said that right after the article about the coal region was published, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and Deputy Prime Minister Do Muoi immediately directed the investigation and handling of the case based on the information that Tuan Tin Tuc had reported. In Thanh Hoa, Mr. Ha Trong Hoa was expelled from the Central Executive Committee and removed from the position of Provincial Party Secretary.
From here, many people have considered the Weekly News as a red address to find information and read. Many wrongdoings of many people, many sectors, many localities have been reported in the newspaper.
“To be able to do these things at that time, it must be said that the reporters were extremely brave. Fighting against negativity at low levels was already difficult because at that time many newspapers were only strong in praising and glorifying, not very strong in fighting negativity,” Mr. Le Quoc Trung recalled. “Publishing articles with concrete evidence, clearly reflecting negativity was another story. One had to have very good journalistic skills to be able to enter the path of investigative reporting.”
Not only fighting against negativity, the Weekly News at that time also reflected the shortcomings in the subsidized bureaucratic management mechanism, which limited the country's development. This information contributed significantly to Directive No. 100 on the issue of contracting in agricultural cooperatives of the Central Committee, followed by Resolution No. 10 on perfecting the product contracting mechanism in agriculture ("Contract 10") before the 6th Party Congress.
Journey of innovation and integration
Since the 6th Party Congress (1986), when the renovation process was initiated, VNA has become a key force in official information, providing reliable documents for the Party, the State, and press agencies at home and abroad.
In 1989, seven years after joining the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and becoming a member of the organization's Executive Board, VNA organized the 10th OANA Executive Board Meeting.
In January 1991, the Mountainous and Ethnic Photo Newsletter was born (later changed to the Mountainous and Ethnic Photo Newspaper).
On June 17, 1991, Viet Nam News was born. This is the first and to date only English-language daily newspaper in Vietnam.
On July 9, 1991, the Afternoon News newspaper published its first issue. In 1993, the French-language newspaper Le Courrier du Vietnam was born.
Since 1998, when Vietnam first connected to the global internet, VNA was one of the press agencies with the earliest electronic information pages in the country.
On January 20, 2005, Sports & Culture organized the first Devotion Music Awards, which later became an annual event, receiving support and high appreciation from experts, the press and the general public.
In March 2005, Vietnam Pictorial and Outlook Magazine of Vietnam News were officially included in the United Nations' documentation system.
In 2008, VNA organized the Golden Moment Press Photo Award. The Golden Moment Press Photo Award was organized by VNA nationwide, aiming to contribute to improving the quality of Vietnamese press photography.
In particular, on November 13, 2008, VNA officially launched the Vietnam Plus e-newspaper - the most multilingual e-newspaper in Vietnam: Vietnamese, English, French, and Spanish.
On May 5, 2010, VietnamPlus officially launched its web version for mobile phones and became the first electronic newspaper in Vietnam to operate on all platforms - website, mobile and mobile phone applications.
On August 25, 2010, the inauguration of the News Television Channel (VNews) - a television channel specializing in political news, marked a new step forward in the development of multimedia information of VNA.
On September 28, 2010, VNA launched a Chinese version on the Vietnam Plus online newspaper.
In 2015, VietnamPlus e-newspaper was selected by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) as one of the five most innovative small newsrooms in the world.
In 2017, VNA launched the information website infographics.vn, leading the trend of data journalism in Vietnam. VNA has also launched many new information products; gradually tested and applied artificial intelligence in the production process such as reading multilingual news, hosting some news programs... and has brought about practical effectiveness.
In 2018, VietnamPlus e-newspaper launched an automatic chatbot application to interact with readers, marking a new step forward for the editorial office in applying the 4.0 industrial revolution in journalism.
In April 2019, VNA hosted the 44th Executive Board Meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and was honored to receive the OANA News Agency Quality Excellence Award.
On March 3, 2020, with the launch of the Russian version, the Vietnamplus e-newspaper, currently published in 6 main languages: Vietnamese, English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian, affirms the position of the national Foreign Affairs e-newspaper providing current news in the most languages in Vietnam.
On September 9, 2020, VNA's anti-fake news project won the Best Project for News Literacy category at the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards 2020 in Asia.
On June 17, 2024, VNA launched the Information Page "Protecting the Party's ideological foundation, fighting against the false arguments of hostile forces" (referred to as Page 35), at https://happyvietnam.vnanet.vn.
VNA's news reports, analysis, press photos, special features, and videos are not only spread through traditional channels but also widely shared on platforms, contributing to orienting public opinion and refuting false information.
Most recently, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) won two first prizes in the photojournalism and article categories of the 2024 Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Awards.
First prize in the article category with the title "Generic treasure from wild bees" by the group of authors Quynh Trang, Bang Cao, Luong Thu Huong and First prize in the photo reportage category with the theme "Unique water bridge of Van village" by author An Thanh Dat.
At the 19th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) held from June 18-21, 2025 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, VNA was elected for the fifth consecutive time as a member of the OANA Executive Committee for the 2025-2028 term.
Currently, VNA "is the national news agency, the main multimedia media agency, performing the function of publishing and broadcasting information and official documents of the Party and State; providing information to serve the leadership requirements of the Party and State management; disseminating information to serve mass media agencies, the public and other subjects at home and abroad; announcing the official views of the State on current issues; correcting information that is not in line with national interests; refuting and correcting false information; when necessary, issuing statements to refute information with the intention of distorting information".
VNA is the press agency with the most products and types of information in the country with over 60 press products in various media forms. VNA is a press agency with a force of reporters working across the country and in most key locations in the world with a system of permanent offices in provinces and cities and 30 permanent offices abroad located in all 5 continents. Wherever there is an information distribution channel, there is news agency information.
With a team of reporters and editors who always closely follow the realities of socio-economic life, VNA is present everywhere: from urban areas to remote villages; from international conferences to hot spots of natural disasters and epidemics... The image of a multi-faceted news reporter has become familiar to friends and colleagues, especially correspondents stationed abroad.
In particular, with the key role of a multimedia press agency, VNA continues to develop in the direction of ensuring information orientation, being a strategic information channel, creating consensus in society to successfully implement the Party and State's guidelines and policies; promptly combating and refuting erroneous and hostile arguments.
For key information channels, VNA has opened event streams, created information highlights on media platforms; built and upgraded specialized pages integrating information types such as the news pages https://daihoidang.vn; https://baucuquochoi.vn; updated information on the pages https://nvsk.vnanet.vn; https://chinhsachcuocsong.vnanet; and strengthened information on protecting the Party's ideological foundation on the specialized page https://happyvietnam.vnanet.vn.
Not only providing information in Vietnamese, VNA is one of the press agencies promoting international communication in many languages (English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian). Through that, the image of a peaceful, innovative and integrated Vietnam is widely promoted around the world.
VNA is also the largest national photo archive with one million valuable documentary films, including tens of thousands of original films about the nation's revolutionary history, more than 5,000 films about President Ho Chi Minh and thousands of films about the community of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. This archive has become a valuable asset, playing an important role in preserving historical memories and educating the revolutionary tradition for the younger generation.
Aspiration to reach far
Entering the 21st century, VNA faces the need for comprehensive innovation. Innovation in working methods, approaching multidimensional issues of the times, enhancing the application of information technology in working, diversifying types of information and broadcasting platforms, and expanding international cooperation are identified as the overarching development goals of VNA in this period.
With a tradition of resilience, a spirit of constant innovation and a desire to reach further, VNA will continue to strive to affirm its position as a leading news agency, a national media agency, and the pride of Vietnamese journalism.
VNA has become a modern media complex with all types of journalism: print, online, television, photojournalism, podcasts and graphics, available on multiple platforms.
On July 17, 2025, attending and giving a speech at the 27th Congress of the Party Committee of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) for the 2025-2030 term, Politburo member, Secretary of the Government Party Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed VNA to be a pioneer, exemplary, and take the lead in the Party's ideological front; protect the Party's ideological foundation; provide information, communication, and protect the rights and interests of the country and people.
Emphasize that VNA is the main and official information agency of the Party and State; therefore, it must grasp the situation, analyze, evaluate, and reflect the situation honestly and objectively; contribute to the implementation of the two strategic tasks of building and defending the Fatherland; grasp the situation, propose solutions, not let the Party and State be passive or surprised; ensure the strategy related to the scope of functions and tasks of VNA.
The Prime Minister requested the Party Committee of VNA and VNA journalists to promote the heroic tradition of the three-time Heroic agency, maintain solidarity and unity within the organization, in leadership, direction and operation according to the Party's guidelines and the State's laws; promote democracy; innovate thinking, vision and creativity in programs and actions, with a long-term vision, think deeply, do big things, act decisively, worthy of the Party's trust, the people's support and the traditions built by previous generations.
The Prime Minister pointed out that VNA must continue to be a pioneer, exemplary, and take the lead in the Party's ideological front; information, communication, and protection of the Party's ideological foundation; protection of the rights and interests of the country and people; pioneer in the development and application of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and international integration, and integration with the revolutionary cause of the Party and people. In particular, effectively implementing the four Resolutions of the Politburo - the "four pillars" and the upcoming Resolutions on health, culture, and education will be issued by the Politburo.
In the article: “Vietnam News Agency: 80 years of construction and development, firmly entering the new era,” Party Secretary and General Director of VNA Vu Viet Trang affirmed: “Today's generation of VNA is proud of the glorious past of the previous generation, continuing to make its mark in the struggle to protect independence, sovereignty, and the Party's ideological foundation, in building and developing the country.
The dedication of VNA journalists, their close connection with the people and locality, their pioneering in applying technology to the working process, and their steadfastness in the core values of journalism have helped VNA create high-quality journalistic products, which have been nominated in the highest categories of national and international journalism awards.
With a tradition of resilience, a spirit of constant innovation and a desire to reach further, VNA will continue to strive to affirm its position as a key news agency, a national media agency, and the pride of Vietnamese journalism.”./.
With its great achievements and contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, VNA has been recognized by the Party, State and people and awarded three Heroic titles: Hero of Labor in the Renovation Period (2001) and two Heroic titles of the People's Armed Forces (2005 for VNA and 2020 for GP News Agency), along with many noble awards: the Gold Star Order, two Ho Chi Minh Orders, two First-class Independence Orders./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ttxvn-hanh-trinh-80-nam-ghi-dau-an-noi-bat-trong-nen-bao-chi-viet-nam-post1060601.vnp
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