Public Broadcasting Must Uphold the Information Front, Spreading Trust and Development Ambitions

On the evening of April 11, the XVII National Broadcasting Festival – Quảng Ninh 2026 officially opened, under the theme “Broadcasting for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.” The event was organized by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) in collaboration with Quảng Ninh Province and runs from April 11 to 13. The opening night featured the special artistic program “The Sound of a New Era,” attracting about 50,000 spectators. The program was carefully staged with three segments: The Sound of Origin, The Sound of Heritage, and The Sound of the New Era, recreating the nation’s development journey through sound, blending traditional elements with contemporary spirit. Public broadcasting must lead on the ideological and cultural front. Attending the opening, Politburo member Trịnh Văn Quyết, who is the Secretary of the Central Committee and Head of the Propaganda and Mobilization Commission, emphasized that the festival is a significant event for the entire sector. The theme demonstrates the resolve and the Vietnamese broadcasting sector’s commitment to the country’s development, while also posing profound political requirements in the new context. Quyết stated that, in the context of information overload and rapid digital transformation, Vietnamese broadcasting has made important progress, moving from traditional methods to a multi-platform ecosystem. The broadcast space has widened, content has become more diverse, and audience access has been enhanced. He stressed that these developments affirm broadcasting’s role as a leading, authoritative, reliable channel for information—helping shape public opinion, spreading good values, and strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the State. Reflecting on the festival’s future, Quyết noted five core tasks for the industry: 1) reaffirm and uphold broadcasting as the official voice of the Party, the State, and the people; 2) improve content quality to be accurate, engaging, humane, and clearly oriented; 3) accelerate digital transformation and build a multi-platform broadcasting ecosystem, utilizing digital technology, AI and big data to enhance production, distribution, and audience reach; 4) leverage broadcasting as a trusted forum for the people, listening carefully and reflecting their legitimate concerns to help improve policy and strengthen social consensus and national unity; 5) develop a cadre of broadcasters with political resolve, ethical integrity, professional expertise, and mastery of modern technology. Quyết expressed confidence that the XVII National Broadcasting Festival would be a success and leave lasting marks, continuing to elevate Vietnamese broadcasting to a new level and ensuring it remains a vanguard force on the ideological and cultural front. In addition, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mobilization Commission and Director General of the Voice of Vietnam Do Tien Sy noted that this year’s festival recorded nearly 100 high-quality podcasts. Podcasts have become a main category, underscoring the sector’s determination to innovate and integrate. A highlight is the international conference on the theme “Podcast—A Creative Avenue in the Digital Age,” which gathered more than 500 domestic and international experts to discuss trends, models, and solutions for developing digital broadcasting. Overall, the XVII National Broadcasting Festival brings together 34 newspapers and radio–television stations nationwide; two major press centers and 17 units under VOV; 345 works were submitted and about 220 prizes are expected to be awarded. As the industry's largest professional event held biennially, the festival reinforces its role as a professional platform, driving innovation and enhancing the quality of Vietnamese broadcasting amid rapid digital transformation.