The pen ignites a flame in a land of integration and breakthrough.

BAC GIANG - 100 years of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism is a journey of pens accompanying the nation. In Bac Giang - a land undergoing rapid transformation - those pens are becoming increasingly steadfast, sharp, and creative. Bac Giang Newspaper has been and continues to accompany the province on its journey of integration and breakthrough with professional responsibility, a pure heart, and an unceasing spirit of innovation.

Bac Giang, a land of outstanding people and rich cultural heritage, where the indomitable spirit of the nation is nurtured, is the cradle of diverse cultural values ​​and preserves a thousand-year legacy. With its rich cultural traditions and studious spirit, Bac Giang is asserting its position as a bright spot in the socio -economic development of the country.

Hoa Phu Industrial Park (Hiep Hoa). Photo by Viet Hung.

From a predominantly agricultural province, Bac Giang has undergone a spectacular transformation to become one of the most impressive growth poles in the country. In 2024, the province's GRDP growth rate reached 13.85%, ranking first nationwide; its economic scale is estimated at approximately US$8.6 billion, elevating Bac Giang to the group of highly competitive provinces in the Northern region. To date, the province has established 11 industrial parks and 55 industrial clusters with a total area of ​​over 5,047 hectares.

By 2024, the province had attracted 613 FDI projects with a total registered capital of US$12.5 billion. Bac Giang's export turnover in 2024 reached US$31.1 billion, accounting for 7.66% of the national total merchandise export turnover, placing the province in 5th position nationwide in terms of exports. The synchronized investment in industrial park infrastructure and regional transportation connections, along with strong administrative reforms, has created a superior competitive advantage for the province in attracting and retaining investors.

High-tech agriculture is developing in depth, gradually building value chains and regional brands. Agricultural restructuring, coupled with the strong application of science and technology, has created a new face for rural Bac Giang. Lychee, considered a "typical Vietnamese agricultural product," is continuously expanding its production area to meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, exporting to over 30 countries and territories, including demanding markets such as Japan, the United States, Australia, and the EU.

Bac Giang is considered the leading province in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region in terms of added value in agriculture. Education and training continue to maintain a high ranking nationwide. Transportation infrastructure, urban development, digital technology, and social welfare are invested in comprehensively and effectively, forming the foundation for a sustainable development strategy.

Reporters from the provincial radio and television station working at an industrial park during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. (Photo courtesy of the station.)

Contributing to this breakthrough journey is the press of Bac Giang in general, and Bac Giang Newspaper in particular – acting as a reliable companion, a responsible storyteller, and a profound source of inspiration for the public. Over the years, Bac Giang Newspaper has continuously strived for innovation, reflecting promptly, accurately, and comprehensively major events, policy trends, and social developments. Specialized articles on industrial development, digital transformation, new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, administrative reform, education, healthcare, culture, tourism, etc., not only demonstrate insightful and humane perspectives but also actively contribute to shaping public opinion, fostering trust and consensus.

These achievements are primarily due to Bac Giang Newspaper's consistent adherence to the leadership and guidance of the Central Government and the province; and its persistent focus on the realities of people's lives, businesses, and the province's development sectors. This close connection between theory and practice has enabled Bac Giang Newspaper to discover many relevant and insightful topics – not only gaining widespread influence within the province but also winning numerous high awards in national-level journalism competitions.

Beyond serving the purpose of propaganda, journalism competitions also provide a training ground and a selection process for outstanding works to participate in national journalism awards. In recent times, many authors and groups of authors have won numerous journalism awards at both the national and local levels. These include prestigious awards such as: the National Journalism Award; the Golden Hammer and Sickle Award; the Writing Contest on Protecting the Ideological Foundation of the Party; and the Dien Hong Award… These esteemed awards are vivid evidence of the creative spirit, professionalism, and increasingly strong social impact of journalists in Bac Giang.

The aspiration to build a prosperous and happy homeland and nation is spreading throughout society. What will the staff of Bac Giang Newspaper contribute to this common cause? That is the question for each staff member and reporter of the newspaper, and we believe that each person will have good suggestions and practical actions.

In its journey of comprehensive digital integration and transformation, Bac Giang Newspaper has demonstrated a strong and decisive spirit of innovation. From its traditional print foundation, Bac Giang Newspaper has transformed into a converged newsroom, applying modern technology to its information production process and implementing a range of multimedia journalistic products such as infographics and e-magazines. The online newspaper interface is continuously upgraded; content promotion on social media platforms is implemented systematically and professionally. As a result, the number of visitors to the Vietnamese-language Bac Giang online newspaper has steadily increased, reaching the top 10 among local Party newspapers nationwide, with readers from over 130 countries and territories.

Furthermore, Bac Giang Newspaper has pioneered expanding its international communication channels, launching an English-language online version in 2016 and a Chinese-language version in early 2023. These strategic steps help bring official information from the province to the Vietnamese community abroad, international investors and partners, and tourists who use English and Chinese, thereby expanding the influence of local journalism in the context of global integration.

These achievements are not only a proud milestone but also a testament to the daring spirit, innovative thinking, and professional journalistic style of the staff, reporters, and editors of Bac Giang Newspaper. They are also the result of close attention from the provincial Party committee and government, and the responsible support of agencies, units, and the community of readers both domestically and internationally.

However, in the era of multi-faceted information and technological explosion, Bac Giang's press is also facing many challenges: pressure from information competition, changing habits of accessing news, and the need for comprehensive digital transformation under limited resources. This requires Bac Giang Newspaper to continue innovating its journalistic thinking, improving professional skills, political acumen, digitalization skills, and professional ethics, in order to both maintain reader trust and affirm its leading and guiding role.

Amidst the excitement and enthusiasm of the entire Party and people for the new revolutionary movement, the whole country in general, and Bac Giang province in particular, and soon the merger of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh into the (new) Bac Ninh province, are like a moving machine. Major tasks and solutions are being set forth to ensure the strong, rapid, and sustainable development of the homeland and the country. These include: improving leadership methods, streamlining the administrative apparatus to be lean, efficient, dynamic, effective, and efficient; removing institutional bottlenecks to facilitate smooth circulation and business operations; increasing the labor productivity of each individual and the entire society; resolutely combating corruption, waste, and negative practices; applying new technologies in management and innovation; and actively building a team of qualified cadres…

The aspiration to build a prosperous and happy homeland and nation is spreading throughout society. What will the staff of Bac Giang Newspaper contribute to this common cause? That is the question for each staff member and reporter of the newspaper, and we believe that each person will have good suggestions and practical actions.

A century of revolutionary journalism has passed, affirming the power of the pen and the heart of journalists. The achievements, experiences, and pride of previous generations of journalists serve as a foundation for today's journalists, enabling them to continue being reliable companions, and to be the courageous, insightful, and inspiring voice of a culturally rich land undergoing rapid transformation.

Tran Duc

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/ngoi-but-thap-lua-tren-vung-dat-hoi-nhap-but-pha-postid420277.bbg