Digital transformation is a vital requirement for journalism.

In his opening remarks at the 30th Conference of Party Newspapers of Northern Provinces and Cities with the theme: "Promoting the tradition of revolutionary journalism, pioneering digital transformation, accompanying the country into a new era" (held on May 16th in Hanoi), journalist Nguyen Minh Duc, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, emphasized: In the strong current of the digital revolution, digital transformation is no longer a trend but a vital requirement for every media agency.

Hà Nội Mới•16/05/2025

Nguyen Minh Duc, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, delivered the opening remarks at the exhibition of cover photos of Party newspapers from northern provinces and cities at the conference. *Photo: Quang Thai*

A sharp weapon on the ideological and cultural front.

According to Nguyen Minh Duc, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, the seminar "Promoting the tradition of revolutionary journalism, pioneering digital transformation, and accompanying the country into a new era" has profound significance, providing a comprehensive view that connects the past, present, and future of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, in which the Party newspaper always plays a crucial role.

Looking back at the glorious 100-year journey of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, we cannot help but feel deeply moved by these proud golden pages of history. From the secret newspapers born amidst the flames of the national liberation struggle, defying enemy repression, to the newspapers carrying calls to action, awakening the nation in the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland, revolutionary journalism has always been a sharp weapon on the ideological and cultural front.

With their sharp pens, passionate hearts, and tireless dedication, generations of Vietnamese journalists have made significant contributions to the victory of the revolutionary cause, igniting patriotism, self-reliance, and national unity, urging the entire nation to overcome all hardships and sacrifices to achieve independence, freedom, peace, and reunification. Renowned newspapers and talented journalists have become symbols and role models of unwavering loyalty, courage, talent, and aspiration to contribute to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

In particular, President Ho Chi Minh, the brilliant leader of the nation and the mentor of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, left us a vast legacy that we need to continue to explore and learn from in order to apply it to improve the overall quality of journalistic work."

In it, President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated the guiding principles and objectives of the Vietnamese revolutionary press: "Our press must serve the working people, serve socialism, serve the struggle for national reunification, and serve world peace," which, broadly speaking, means serving the cause of building socialism, protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland, and making a positive contribution to world peace, because the goal of the era is national independence linked with socialism.

Central and Hanoi city leaders inaugurate the exhibition of cover photos of Party newspapers from provinces and cities in the North. *Photo: Quang Thai*

Regarding the role and tasks of revolutionary Vietnamese journalism: President Ho Chi Minh considered journalists to be revolutionary fighters, "the pen and paper are their sharp weapons," therefore, "Journalists are also revolutionary fighters." He instructed: "Regarding journalistic responsibility, Lenin said: Journalism is the propagandist, the agitator, the organizer, the leader. Therefore, the task of journalists is important and glorious. To successfully fulfill this task, one must strive to study politics, raise one's ideology, and stand firm on the proletarian class standpoint; one must raise one's cultural level and delve deeply into one's profession. One must always strive, and with striving, success is certain."

Regarding the development of a team of journalists who are both "red" (ideologically sound) and "professional" (professionally competent): President Ho Chi Minh demanded that journalists constantly cultivate revolutionary ethics, refine their ideology, and study politics to firmly grasp the Party and State's guidelines and policies; they must delve into reality, connect deeply with the working masses; they must always improve their cultural level, hone their professional skills, and sharpen their pens; and above all, they must cultivate a firm political stance.

Inheritance and development

As the world enters the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, bringing about profound and comprehensive changes in all aspects of social life, our country is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The entire Party and people are striving to achieve two centenary goals: By 2030, the centenary of the Party's founding, to become a developing country with modern industry and a high-middle income; and by 2045, the centenary of the nation's founding, to become a developed country with a high income.

To realize that aspiration, the Central Committee of the Party and General Secretary To Lam initiated and directed the implementation of a revolution to streamline the apparatus, reorganize administrative units, and restructure local governments at two levels. More than ever, we need the unity and joint efforts of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army, in which revolutionary journalism in general and the Party press system in provinces and cities in particular play an extremely important role.

Delegates attending the workshop. *Photo: Quang Thai*

The new situation places an urgent demand on Vietnamese journalism to undergo strong and comprehensive reforms, continuously improving the quality of content and form to meet the increasingly high and diverse information needs of the public. In particular, in the powerful flow of the digital revolution, digital transformation is no longer a trend but a vital requirement for every media organization.

The Party press system, acting as the voice of the Party committees, government, and people of the localities, must, more than anyone else, be at the forefront of the digital transformation process, strongly applying information technology and artificial intelligence to journalistic activities, creating multimedia journalistic products that are attractive, widely disseminated, and contribute to shaping public opinion and strengthening the people's trust in the leadership of the Party and the State.

In that spirit, the 30th Conference of Party Newspapers of Northern Provinces and Cities, held today, carries significant meaning. The theme of the conference clearly demonstrates our determination to inherit and promote the glorious tradition of revolutionary journalism, while strongly transforming ourselves to meet the demands of the new era.

Discuss 4 important points

To ensure the workshop yields practical results, the Organizing Committee respectfully suggests that delegates focus their discussions on the following topics:

Firstly, the study assesses the current situation and proposes solutions to improve the quality of content in Party newspapers, ensuring that the Party's policies and resolutions are effectively implemented in the context of today's diverse information landscape and fierce competition. How can Party newspapers maintain their principles and objectives while innovating their methods of information dissemination to attract readers, especially the younger generation?

Secondly, we will share experiences and propose effective digital transformation models for local Party newspapers. This includes everything from building technological infrastructure and training human resources to developing digital journalistic products, leveraging data, and interacting with readers on digital platforms.

Thirdly, the role of Party newspapers in accompanying localities in achieving socio-economic development goals, ensuring national defense and security, and building a strong Party and political system in the new era. How can Party newspapers truly be a reliable bridge between the Party, the government, and the people, contributing to social consensus and inspiring the aspirations for development in each locality?

Fourth, enhance the capacity of cadres, reporters, and editors of Party newspapers to meet the requirements of modern journalism and the digital transformation process. Focus on cultivating knowledge and skills in digital technology, data journalism, multimedia journalism, as well as the political acumen and professional ethics of revolutionary journalists.

“We believe that, with the high sense of responsibility, dedication, and rich experience of our colleagues, the 30th Conference of Party Newspapers of Northern Provinces and Cities will be lively, yielding many valuable contributions and making important contributions to the strategic planning of Party journalism development in the new period, truly becoming a pioneering force on the ideological and cultural front, accompanying the country as it steadily advances into the era of national progress,” Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Minh Duc emphasized.