Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper: 30 Years of Steadfast Progress

This morning, August 24th, in Hanoi, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper solemnly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the publication of its first issue. The newspaper was honored to receive a congratulatory floral arrangement from the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs , Dao Ngoc Dung. Attending the ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Nguyen Thi Ha; former leaders of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; leaders of the Press Department of the Ministry of Information and Communications; leaders of several other media agencies; leaders of the Ministry's departments and divisions; and staff and reporters of the newspaper from all periods – those who have contributed to the newspaper's development over the past 30 years.

Speaking at the ceremony, recalling important milestones in the newspaper's 30-year history, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Thu Hang said that 30 years ago today, August 25, 1993, the revolutionary press of Vietnam witnessed a significant event: the launch of the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper to readers nationwide. From its inception, the newspaper of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs joined the national renewal process and the renewal of Vietnamese journalism.

The Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper was established at a time when the sector had many tasks to do and needed to innovate, such as: poverty alleviation, war invalids and martyrs, meritorious individuals, social insurance, social welfare, labor and employment, vocational training, and prevention of social evils... During this period, communicating the State's policies and laws, and the sector's tasks, became extremely urgent.

Despite facing numerous challenges in its early days, the newspaper quickly established its sections and columns on labor, employment, vocational training, and meritorious individuals, reflecting the unique identity of a newspaper under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

As the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Policy, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper was the first to establish the "Gratitude Fund" and initiate the movement to support Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha delivered a speech at the commemoration ceremony.

Simultaneously with initiating, encouraging, and motivating the movement, the newspaper directly provided support to two mothers of Vietnamese Heroic Soldiers in Quang Nam and actively participated in the gratitude and repayment movement, supporting the construction of houses of compassion for policy beneficiaries. It was also the first newspaper to mobilize donations of televisions to donate to soldiers in Truong Sa in 1994, right after the visit to Truong Sa by Deputy Minister and Editor-in-Chief Trinh To Tam... These are also unforgettable milestones for the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper.

From a print newspaper in the South, published every two weeks, the newspaper increased to once a week, then twice a week. In its second year, on August 31, 1995, with a policy of continuous improvement to meet information needs, the newspaper underwent a comprehensive overhaul of its content and format, launching a new series and increasing to three issues per week. To date, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper has an online version, Dan Sinh (with the domain baodansinh.vn), and a publication called "For Children," adding another channel of information on social welfare. Information is increasingly faster, more comprehensive, and reflects a modern journalistic style, with the journalists' skills becoming increasingly solid.

"Following the directives of the Ministry's leadership, the Party Committee and the Ministry's Party Standing Committee, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper is taking a new step, determined to break through and fundamentally change by building a modern journalistic style, affirming its position as a strong newspaper in the fields of labor, employment, meritorious individuals, and social security. Hundreds of thousands of articles have been published in print and online editions, proactively and creatively providing quality information that adheres to its principles and objectives."

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Thu Hang reviewed the 30-year journey of building and developing the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper.

Over the years, the newspaper has undergone many changes, fundamentally strengthening its journalistic processes and organizational structure. The newspaper adheres closely to its principles and objectives, improving the quality of its content, enhancing its timeliness, depth, and appeal; and the collective strength of the team has been effectively utilized.

Acknowledging the efforts, achievements, and increasing influence of the newspaper in the journalistic landscape, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha, speaking at the anniversary ceremony on behalf of the Ministry's leadership, praised the results achieved by the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper over the past 30 years. She affirmed that the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper has always adhered to its principles and objectives, serving as a reputable newspaper providing regular, comprehensive, and timely information on the Ministry's activities. In particular, it is a strong newspaper in the fields of labor, employment, war veterans, and social security.

To meet the demands of the new situation, the leaders of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs hope that all leaders, journalists, reporters, and editors of the newspaper will strive to become experts with in-depth knowledge of their assigned fields, constantly cultivate their qualities, political acumen, dedication to their profession, and sensitivity, sharpness, and subtlety in identifying and handling issues. At the same time, they should also research appropriate steps to meet the requirements of the age of technology and digital media.

“I believe that with 30 years of experience in building and developing, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper will continue to progress, constantly innovating its content and format, adding many new and useful special sections and columns that attract readers inside and outside the sector; creating conditions for readers to actively participate in the cause of labor, war invalids and social affairs, worthy of being the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha emphasized.

Former Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Ngoc Nien reminisces about the early days of the newspaper.

Attending to congratulate and celebrate with the newspaper, the delegates listened to the remarks of former Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Ngoc Nien, who dedicated almost his entire youth and enthusiasm to the newspaper's development. He still keeps many mementos from the founding of the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper. He shared stories about the newspaper's arduous early days in an atmosphere filled with memories shared by the numerous guests. He said: The name Labor and Social Affairs was chosen for the newspaper's brand, which is also very meaningful; this name conveys the full message of a newspaper that is the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Tung - Chief Inspector of the Ministry

“I am a regular reader of the newspaper and a contributor. Therefore, over the past 30 years, I have seen the newspaper make many efforts to report on the field of Inspection in particular and other areas of the Ministry in general. Regarding the field of Inspection, the newspaper has done a very good job of disseminating information, serving as a channel to guide public opinion, gathering information from the public, and helping the Ministry's Inspection Department advise the Ministry's leadership on handling specific situations that arise. In addition, the newspaper has greatly assisted the Ministry's Inspection Department in publicizing the activities of the inspection agency and addressing issues that the public is reflecting, thereby creating trust and enthusiasm among the people, contributing to helping the Ministry's Inspection Department fulfill its assigned tasks,” affirmed Mr. Nguyen Tien Tung, Chief Inspector of the Ministry.

Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children, offered congratulations and suggestions to help the newspaper develop further.

Ms. Dam Thi Minh Thu, Director of the Department of Social Evils Prevention, shared her feelings about the newspaper.

At the anniversary celebration, representatives from generations of staff, reporters, editors, and employees of the newspaper shared profound memories from the past 30 years, whether they were long-time employees or just part of the journey with the newspaper, but this place has always been a common home for those who have lived and worked here.

The current leadership team, staff, and reporters of the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper.

Over the past 30 years, the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper has fulfilled its role and mission well, adhering to its principles and objectives, accurately reflecting many issues, including the hot and thorny topics of life. The newspaper has truly risen to prominence, gaining prestige and a well-deserved place in the Vietnamese revolutionary press, and is widely recognized by its readers.

Building upon the achievements of the past 30 years, and reflecting on the journey we've taken, each of us reminds ourselves that difficulties and challenges have forged the character and qualities of those working at the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper. Many have grown from within the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper, confidently moving forward in their professional lives and in their personal lives.

At this deeply moving anniversary celebration, the newspaper's leadership and all its staff and reporters are determined to build a united, strong, and professionally competent team, enabling the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper to continuously advance and live up to its potential as a powerful media outlet of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

In the coming period, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to implement step 2 of the restructuring plan for the Ministry's press agencies. The Labour and Social Affairs Newspaper may continue to undergo significant changes in its organizational structure and personnel. However, all staff and reporters of the newspaper are aware that, under any circumstances, each person will always fulfill their duties correctly, as genuine journalists, constantly cultivating professional ethics, political acumen, and professional skills to achieve the six words of journalism as stated by veteran journalist Huu Tho: "Bright eyes, pure heart, sharp pen!" - Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Thu Hang stated.

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung decided to award a Certificate of Merit to the Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper for its significant contributions to the newspaper's development; awarded Certificates of Merit to 6 departments and divisions of the newspaper; awarded Certificates of Merit to 19 individuals; 5 collectives and 10 individuals; and awarded the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to 11 individuals.