The 'essence' of the Vietnam story in the new era

Ms. Pham Thu Hang, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Department of Press and Information, said that in the new era, the story of Vietnam should not be limited to numbers and dry information, but should include stories about culture, people, aspirations, courage, efforts to rise up and the spirit of integration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with reporters and the press on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2025. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

As someone who directly works in foreign information, you must have had many concerns about building the "plot" for the story of Vietnam in the new era that you want to tell to international friends? What valuable details, in your opinion, should the foreign press highlight most prominently when telling the story of Vietnam's aspirations?

Foreign information plays an important role in the journey to enhance Vietnam's position, bring the image of the country and Vietnamese people to the world and bring the world to the Vietnamese people. You asked about the "plot", yes, the "story" must always have a "plot", just like we often say "no flour to make glue".

Our country, our people, our culture, our achievements are the material, the “plot” for the story of Vietnam. The problem is how to tell that story in an attractive way.

You asked about the expensive details, I think, those are always the simplest, most emotional, and natural things. These days, we are moved to witness the affection and pride of the Vietnamese people shining in the atmosphere of Independence Day. That is a very natural story, no need to tell but is a very valuable and beautiful media material about the patriotism and love of peace of the Vietnamese people. We are also moved to witness the affection of the Vietnamese people towards the Cuban people when the number of supporters for Cuba increases every hour. This will be a wonderful story about a loyal, affectionate Vietnam, one of a kind in the world.

As someone working in foreign information, I have many thoughts and concerns about building an attractive, authentic, and in-depth media story about Vietnam in the new era of the nation and the country. We are living in an era where information is not just data, but also emotions, connections, identities, and brands.

Therefore, the story of Vietnam should not be limited to dry numbers and information, but should also include stories about culture, people, aspirations, courage, efforts to rise up, and the spirit of integration.

Vietnam also needs to be considered a country that is transforming strongly, with many major changes, from a country that was once heavily devastated by war, then besieged and embargoed, our country has become a developing country, with average income, deeply integrated, taking on many international responsibilities, promoting an active role in many important multilateral organizations and forums.

After 80 years of founding the country and nearly four decades of Renovation, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, we have achieved great and historic achievements, never before had the foundation, potential, internal strength, position and international prestige like today, with a young generation full of energy and aspiration. That story must reflect the connection between the past, present and future, of the consistent message of a peaceful, friendly, courageous, innovative and integrated Vietnam.

I hope that the story of Vietnam is told not only in the language of the government and media agencies, but also by each citizen, from businessmen, scientists, artists, youth - students, to farmers who are applying technology to production.

Each person is a “character” in the development story of Vietnam. It is they who make that story come alive, authentic and inspiring.

What is new in foreign press today compared to foreign press in the past? Is the new thing more advantageous or more challenging?

Perhaps one of the fastest changing industries in recent times is information technology-related jobs, and journalism is one of them. From Thanh Nien newspaper founded by leader Nguyen Ai Quoc in 1925 to the modern, multimedia journalism of today, revolutionary journalism and foreign journalism in Vietnam have undergone profound changes.

Today, the most prominent new features of foreign journalism are speed, multi-platform and global interaction. With the emergence of the Internet, social networks, artificial intelligence (AI), supporting tools and software, the journalism and media industry, including foreign journalism, is constantly moving and developing.

If in the past information was mainly one-way, through traditional channels such as television, radio, and electronic newspapers, now we can simultaneously transmit images of the solemn welcoming ceremony of high-level delegations, organize online press conferences, and update the situation of citizen protection in hot spots via Facebook, X, YouTube, etc. Therefore, foreign messages reach the public faster, more diversely, and more vividly.

Some opinions say that journalism and media will soon be “replaced” by machines and artificial intelligence (AI), but in my opinion, no matter how much machines develop, they cannot replace humans. In particular, the foreign press team is even more important and difficult to replace, because this field requires political agility, grasp of information, current events, and the ingenuity of Vietnam's foreign affairs.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Department of Press and Information Pham Thu Hang. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

I think these new things will bring both advantages and difficulties, challenges for the press in general and foreign press in particular. The important thing is whether we can turn challenges into opportunities.

In terms of advantages, the development of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media tools help information spread instantly, to each individual regardless of time and space; helping journalists improve the quality of press products, innovate to serve the increasingly higher demands of readers.

Regarding challenges, the speed and openness of the online environment is also a test of the mettle of journalists and foreign information workers. Foreign journalists have to work harder, they have to “compete” with social networks, the information must be fast, interesting, attractive but still accurate and authentic. The pressure to react quickly, accurately and promptly is very high.

Along with that, foreign press must also be "confident in every word, steady in every frame". This is a very important factor for readers to know how to choose information sources in the context of widespread but unverified social media information, many fake news streams, and distorted news.

What message do you want to share about the mission and contribution of foreign press to Vietnamese diplomacy in the coming time?

In his speech at the 100th Anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, General Secretary To Lam emphasized: “The press is the main force in promoting the image of the country and Vietnamese people to the world, demonstrating Vietnam's solidarity and responsibility towards friends, progressive forces and the development of the world; the press is a means to spread national cultural values, arouse patriotism, aspirations for development and affirm Vietnamese cultural identity in the era of integration”. I believe that this has been, is and will continue to be the mission of the press and foreign press towards the country.

Along with diplomacy, the press will continue to write the story of Vietnam in a truthful and vivid way, inspiring both the Vietnamese people and international friends.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic Service, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the generations of foreign information workers, foreign press, journalists and reporters who have always accompanied the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the journey of serving the country and the people. Together, we will continue to spread stories about the country and people of Vietnam to the world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cot-cua-cau-chuyen-viet-nam-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-326161.html