Dung frowned and replied:

- Have you read the original or just looked at the translated version on Facebook?

- Well... I just read the abridged version. But a big newspaper like that must be objective and trustworthy!

- I read that article. It does mention the role of our country's leaders and Vietnam's strategic position. But you have to be careful...

Illustration: PHUNG MINH

- They say we are dealing with corruption strongly, then they raise the issue that Vietnamese businesses are still underdeveloped because they need good institutions. That's so true! - Vu argued.

- That's what they usually do, praising and then raising seemingly objective issues that make us easily lose our guard. Many social media users shared the article with enthusiasm, even pride, considering it "recognition from abroad", proof that Vietnam has "reached international level". Unfortunately, most of them only received shortened and edited translations, so they did not know that the article contained distorted content aimed at influencing and transforming thoughts.

- Can you explain it to me clearly? - Vu suggested.

- The article contains a lot of false information about Vietnam's institutions, such as saying that we use anti-corruption as a tool to consolidate power; deliberately belittling our country's large enterprises, and then doubting the transparency of the institutions... This is not the first time! Many articles in foreign newspapers talk about our country in a one-sided, prejudiced way. They do not look at the historical, cultural, and political context of Vietnam to understand, but only apply their standards and then make distorted assessments.

Vu pondered:

- But in reality, many people also misunderstood and shared the article like me...

- That's the sad part. Nowadays, social media is the ideal place for this kind of information to spread rapidly. People don't need to understand, don't need to verify, just see the name of a major newspaper, believe it, then share it, and then feel proud because they are praised. But it's not praise. That's emotional bait. The more we share, the more they achieve their goal of sowing doubt, causing people to lose trust in their leaders.

- I understand. It is true that nowadays, reading newspapers is not only to gain knowledge and information, but also to have knowledge when reading newspapers. Without critical thinking, it is easy to be led by the nose!

Dung smiled and replied:

- Over the past years, in the midst of the world 's instability, our country has still developed steadily and has a proper strategy. People, especially young people like us, must believe in that, believe in what we see every day, and not wait for others to praise us before we can be proud.

- I understand, be proud but be sober, right?

LE HIEU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-chong-dien-bien-hoa-binh/tu-hao-nhung-phai-tinh-tao-831143