On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press, Nhan Dan Newspaper had a conversation with Major General Doan Xuan Bo, Editor-in-Chief of People's Army Newspaper.
“The Heroic Newspaper of the Heroic People's Army of Vietnam and the Heroic Vietnamese People”
Dear comrade, looking back on the 75-year journey of establishment and development, what role has the People's Army Newspaper played in the revolutionary press and in the field of ideology and political theory to fulfill the responsibility of a Party newspaper in the people's armed forces, a political-military newspaper of the Party, the State and the country's political system?
It must be affirmed that the 100-year milestone of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism is especially honorable for journalists, including the honor of the People's Army Newspaper.
The People's Army Newspaper was established on the basis of the tradition of the first newspapers of the revolutionary armed forces such as: Fighting (1944), Trumpet Call (1944), Sound of Guns (1944), Liberation Army (1945), Golden Star (1946) and the merger of the two newspapers National Defense Army (1947) and Guerrilla Army (1948)...
On October 20, 1950, in Khau Dieu village, Dinh Bien commune, Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province, in the middle of the Viet Bac resistance zone, the People's Army Newspaper published its first issue and since then, October 20 every year has become the traditional day of the editorial office. The People's Army Newspaper was honored to be named by President Ho Chi Minh and given instructions to publish in the first issue: "Speak things that are truly practical, in line with political guidelines, less jokes, write short, simple, easy to understand, clearly presented, and less going on to other pages". What Uncle Ho instructed 75 years ago, we are still striving for today.
Throughout its 75-year history of establishment, development and growth (October 20, 1950 - October 20, 2025), the People's Army Newspaper has affirmed its position as one of the leading revolutionary press agencies, a sharp weapon on the ideological and political theory front of the Party, State and Army. The newspaper has accompanied the nation and the armed forces through historical periods, from the resistance war for independence and national reunification to the cause of renovation, construction and defense of the Fatherland.
Major General Doan Xuan Bo, Party Secretary and Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper, discussed with staff and editors of the Editorial Secretariat to produce a number of articles.
During the resistance war against French colonialism, cadres and reporters of the People's Army Newspaper did not fear hardships and sacrifices, rushing into the fronts and battlefields, promptly conveying the directives and resolutions of the General Military Commission and the General Command to cadres and soldiers; promptly reflecting the brave and tenacious fighting spirit and heroic feats of our army and people in campaigns and on battlefields across the country and throughout Indochina with many names of famous writers, some of whom heroically sacrificed on the battlefield such as journalists Hoang Loc, Tham Tam, Thoi Huu, Tran Dang...
In particular, during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, the People's Army Newspaper organized a frontline editorial office, published 33 issues right at the front, and distributed them directly to officers and soldiers in the trenches.
When the resistance war against the US entered a fierce period, with the political acumen and bravery of the journalist-soldiers, the People's Army Newspaper promptly sent groups of reporters to participate in the fronts and battlefields B, C, K, directly eating, living, and fighting with the soldiers against the enemy.
With their outstanding achievements in the resistance war against the US, the People's Army Newspaper had two journalists awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces: Senior Lieutenant and martyr Le Dinh Du and Colonel Dang Tho Truat.
After the country achieved peace and unity, and especially during the period of national renewal, the People's Army Newspaper quickly stabilized its organization and clearly identified the requirements and tasks in the new period.
The People's Army Newspaper has performed well its role in orienting ideology, propagating the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies, especially in the military and national defense fields. The newspaper has vividly reflected the lives, combats, and production of cadres, soldiers, and people, contributing to strengthening confidence, arousing patriotism, revolutionary will, and the aspiration to build a prosperous and happy country.
The Newspaper's publications are not only official information channels but also forums to honor and spread patriotic emulation movements, typical advanced examples, good people, good deeds, while at the same time strongly fighting against erroneous and hostile viewpoints, protecting the Party's ideological foundation.
Delegates attending the Closing Ceremony and Awarding Ceremony of the 4th Writing Contest "Protecting the Party's Ideological Foundation in the New Situation" presented flowers to artists and actors participating in the program.
It can be said that, together with the entire political system and press agencies in general, the People's Army Newspaper pays special attention to protecting the Party's ideological foundation. After the Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 of the 12th Politburo "on strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation, fighting against erroneous and hostile views in the new situation", the People's Army Newspaper is one of the first agencies and organizations in the country to organize a writing contest "Protecting the Party's ideological foundation in the new situation".
After 4 times of organization, the contest has spread more and more widely, the number of authors with academic titles, degrees, and local press units participating has increased. Along with many specialized works by experts and scientists, the contest also featured many journalistic works with a sharp spirit of "pen war", timely criticism, and fierce struggle against the distorted and destructive arguments of hostile, reactionary, and opportunistic political forces; criticizing the signs of degradation in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" in social life, especially among a number of cadres and party members.
Throughout its 75-year history of construction, development and growth (October 20, 1950 - October 20, 2025), the People's Army Newspaper has affirmed its position as one of the leading revolutionary press agencies, a sharp weapon on the ideological and political theory front of the Party, State and Army.
The newspaper persistently carried out this contest because it saw it as the responsibility of a Party newspaper in the armed forces, a newspaper of the Central Military Commission, to speak out to protect the Party. In addition, this is also the 15th year that the People's Army Newspaper has organized the Writing Contest "Simple but Noble Examples" to honor good people and good deeds, as its name suggests - honoring small things, sometimes hidden but the reason for living, the daily work, they are beautiful flowers in life... The contest has become annual along with other contests.
With its long tradition, the People's Army Newspaper has been honored to receive many noble awards from the Party and State, including the Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor...
Speaking during a visit and working session with the People's Army Newspaper on October 19, 2015, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (1944-2024) emphasized: "The People's Army Newspaper is truly a heroic newspaper of the heroic Vietnam People's Army and the heroic Vietnamese nation. This is an important and indispensable newspaper in the Vietnamese revolutionary press system; one of the leading political newspapers of the country and the army, with its own prestige and identity."
In the general development of modern journalism, what steps has the People's Army Newspaper taken to develop and innovate to continue to fulfill its role well? Could you share about the editorial office's content development on social networking platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, Tiktok, Zalo...?
In the context of the strong development of modern journalism, the People's Army Newspaper is constantly innovating to meet the communication requirements in the digital age, while maintaining the identity of a soldier's newspaper. The editorial office has carried out a comprehensive digital transformation, from content to form and even the method of approaching readers, in order to improve communication effectiveness and the role of guiding public opinion.
The newspaper has built a multimedia communication system, combining print newspapers, electronic newspapers and modern digital platforms. Along with print newspaper products, the People's Army Newspaper Online has become an official and fast information channel, attracting a large number of readers with high-quality articles, videos, infographics and podcasts. Columns have been innovated in an in-depth and lively direction, focusing on new policies, viewpoints and policies of the Party and State; issues on national defense and security; typical advanced examples and current issues of public interest.
Regarding content development on social networking platforms, the People's Army Newspaper has proactively approached platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, Tiktok, Zalo... to expand the scope of propaganda focusing on young readers. On Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@BaoQuandoinhandan), the Newspaper produces political video clips, reports... combining vivid images and profound content to convey messages about revolutionary traditions and the role of the armed forces. On Facebook, the Newspaper maintains an official fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/baoquandoinhandan) with concise articles, eye-catching images and quickly updated information, creating strong interactions with readers. On Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@bao_quandoinhandan), the Newspaper focuses on short, creative videos, such as stories about "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" or outstanding military events, attracting millions of views from young people...
The People's Army Newspaper also focuses on implementing creative journalism products and data journalism with the application of modern technologies.
Currently, the number of people accessing the People's Army Newspaper and its social networking platforms such as Fanpage, Facebook, Youtube, Zalo, Tiktok, Lotus... Tiktok channel is increasing day by day. In particular, many contents are shared by readers in large numbers, especially contents related to military, national defense or fighting against wrong views, protecting the Party's ideological foundation..., creating communication campaigns that bring practical results.
These innovative efforts not only help the People's Army Newspaper maintain its role in guiding public opinion but also expand its influence in the context of increasingly fierce media competition between mainstream press and social networks, contributing to building the image of a professional, humane and modern revolutionary press.
Journalism needs to apply artificial intelligence, but not be "led"
To develop the People's Army Newspaper into a multimedia media agency, effectively serving the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, how have you implemented it?
Pursuant to Decision No. 362/QD-TTg dated April 3, 2019 of the Prime Minister approving the National Press Development and Management Plan until 2025, on November 18, 2023, the Minister of National Defense issued Decision No. 5945/QD-BQP approving the Project to build the People's Army Newspaper into a key traditional, multimedia agency by 2030, with a vision to 2045. Along with that, on February 7, 2024, the Minister of National Defense issued Decision No. 588/QD-BQP approving the Plan to organize the implementation of the Project to build the People's Army Newspaper into a key traditional, multimedia agency by 2030, with a vision to 2045.
Accordingly, implementing the decisions of the Minister of National Defense, the People's Army Newspaper has deployed a comprehensive development strategy, combining maintaining political-military identity and applying modern technology.
The People's Army Newspaper focuses on building infrastructure to serve multi-platform communication work. Thanks to the attention of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, the Newspaper has developed a synchronous print newspaper, electronic newspaper, and digital media channels. The People's Army Newspaper online has been upgraded with a friendly interface, fast loading speed, and integrated multimedia formats. Mobile applications and social media channels have been built to reach readers on all devices.
The People's Army Newspaper has early applied digital technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis to optimize content, predict reader trends and personalize user experience. Modern technology tools are also used to improve the efficiency of content production, from editing to distribution.
People's Army Newspaper always determines that people are the subject, the center and the quality of human resources has a decisive meaning in the development of the newspaper.
It is necessary to clarify this, in the process of the whole population enthusiastically participating in digital transformation, taking advantage of AI in journalism, the People's Army Newspaper is also very interested in this issue but also very cautious. In the process of content production, the boundary between "AI support" and "dependence" “into AI” is very fragile . Because if not careful, AI can easily blur the line between journalism and social media.
Journalism must have its own style, must be personalized, must be trustworthy, while if we take advantage of AI to produce content, it will be very easy but many things will be uncontrolled and easily lead to mistakes. Political journalism is not allowed to make mistakes. Therefore, we can use AI to support, consult, request but not depend on AI, not let AI lead.
I also want to say this to other press agencies, if the press is not clear about how and where to utilize AI, if we do not become AI's teacher but become AI's "servant", then we are digging our own grave. Because we are the ones who provide initial information to AI without guiding AI, letting it "prepare the table" on its own, no journalist can do it as quickly and well as AI. However, with the information AI provides, we as journalists are the ones who can distinguish between human information and artificial intelligence information; AI collects information and unverified information, so it is extremely dangerous.
The People's Army Newspaper always identifies people as the subject, the center and the quality of human resources is decisive for the development of the newspaper. Therefore, the Newspaper focuses on training a team of reporters and editors who are "both red and professional", have political courage, are good at their profession and are proficient in technology. Training programs on data journalism, multimedia journalism, creative journalism and professional ethics are regularly organized at the editorial office.
These efforts help the People's Army Newspaper not only maintain its role as the mouthpiece of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, the voice of the Armed Forces and people of Vietnam, but also become a multimedia channel, contributing effectively to the cause of national construction and defense.
What are the major difficulties and challenges that the People's Army Newspaper is facing in the context of fierce competition between mainstream press and social networks..., comrade?
In the current context, like many other press agencies, the People's Army Newspaper faces many difficulties and challenges. That is the fierce competition for information between the mainstream press and social networks, as well as international media platforms, creating great competitive pressure in terms of speed, attractiveness and accessibility to readers. Misinformation and wrong views on cyberspace also pose challenges in maintaining the role of guiding public opinion for the press in general and the People's Army Newspaper in particular.
Young readers today prefer concise, visual content on social networks, requiring the People's Army Newspaper to actively innovate its approach, while still maintaining the principles, purposes and identity of an official political newspaper. This is a major contradiction that requires the People's Army Newspaper to focus on resolving.
Along with that, the press economy, the newspaper reading habits of young people, the distinction between real and fake information... are also significant challenges for the People's Army Newspaper. In each issue, each specific content requires each person working for the People's Army Newspaper to make continuous efforts and constantly innovate to be able to meet the requirements of the task.
Comprehensively promote the two fronts of construction and prevention
Faced with these difficulties and challenges, what directions and tasks will the People's Army Newspaper focus on to continue to maintain its role as one of the leading political newspapers of the country and the army, with prestige and its own identity?
General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, presented the special prize of the 15th "Simple but Noble Role Models" contest.
The People's Army Newspaper always proactively grasps the situation and tasks of the country, the Army, and the activities of the Armed Forces, closely following the direction and orientation from above, especially important events and sensitive issues, to promptly propagate and create good public opinion. Proactively propagandizing on the political and ideological front, defeating the "peaceful evolution" strategy of hostile forces; preventing "self-evolution" and "self-transformation", contributing to firmly protecting the Party's ideological foundation.
Focus on innovation, improvement and enhancement of the quality of the People's Army Newspaper's daily publications in the direction of fast information, short news, in-depth articles, vivid content, rich in the identity of a soldier's newspaper; always upholding the principles and purposes, political orientation, combativeness, sociality, national and military character; clearly affirming the position as the leading political newspaper of the Party and State, the mouthpiece of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the voice of the Armed Forces and the people of Vietnam.
The People's Army Electronic Newspaper ensures modernity, convenience, improves the quality of news articles, and develops strongly on digital platforms and social networks. Builds a professional, modern, and scientific journalism style among staff and reporters, creating new progress in methods and forms of presenting publications in a modern and lively direction. Pays attention to building, managing, and developing a team of collaborators.
Along with promoting publishing and communication, we will research economic solutions for journalism, taking advantage of digital platforms to contribute to generating revenue for the editorial office.
The key task is for the Party Committee and the Editorial Board of the Newspaper to focus on building a team of cadres, reporters, and editors with improved qualifications and comprehensive capacity, professional expertise, political courage and professional ethics, access to and mastery of modern journalism technology, meeting the requirements and tasks of communication in the digital age.
With the motto of writing “correctly, quickly and well”, the People’s Army Newspaper continues to comprehensively promote both the construction and resistance fronts. In addition to informing and propagating the two strategic tasks of building and defending the Fatherland, the Newspaper identifies that “building” is promoting the competition of “simple but noble examples”, while building and resisting is the competition of “Protecting the ideological foundation of the Party”. Through that, it is possible to analyze, provide information, orient public opinion, and expose the hostile, reactionary forces that sabotage the Party and sabotage our country.
These orientations and solutions will help the People's Army Newspaper continue to affirm its position as a leading political-military newspaper with prestige and its own identity, accompanying the revolutionary press system to effectively serve the cause of building, protecting and developing the country in the new era.
Reporter: Thank you, Major General!
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Publication date: June 2025
Directed by: Nguyen Ngoc Thanh
Production organization: Hong Van
Performed by: Do Thoa
Presented by: Dang Nguyen
Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper, People's Army Newspaper
Source: https://nhandan.vn/special/doithoaitongbientap-baoquandoinhandan/index.html
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