The 17th National Radio Festival: “Broadcasting for a Strong and Prosperous Vietnam”

(DTO) On the evening of April 11, the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), in coordination with the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, held the Opening Ceremony of the 17th National Radio Festival 2026 and the art program "Sounds of a New Era" at 30/10 Square, Ha Long Ward, Quang Ninh Province.

Dong Thap Newspaper and Radio, Television participated in the festival with five entries across various categories: Reportage, Feature, Thematic Podcast, and News Podcast.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Trinh Van Quyet—Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission; Mr. Do Tien Sy—Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission, and Director General of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV); and Mr. Quan Minh Cuong—Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee.

The event also welcomed Members of the Party Central Committee, representatives from central ministries, sectors, and localities, representatives of the International Association of Broadcasting, various international radio stations, and approximately 50,000 residents and tourists.

Speaking at the opening, VOV Director General Do Tien Sy noted that the National Radio Festival takes place as journalism enters a new stage filled with both opportunities and challenges.

Under the theme "Radio for a Strong and Prosperous Vietnam," the festival week (held from April 9 to 13) aims to reaffirm the development of the national radio industry amidst the demands for innovation.

The festival features participation from 34 provincial and municipal news, radio, and television agencies, the Military Radio and Television Center, the People's Public Security Communication Department, and various press units nationwide. Nearly 350 works were submitted in categories such as Live Broadcasting, Investigative Reportage, and Ethnic Language Programming.

In the era of vigorous digital transformation in journalism, this festival—featuring nearly 100 high-quality Podcast entries—reaffirms audio's powerful multi-platform reach. Podcasts have become a major category in the festival, reflecting the Vietnamese radio industry's determination to proactively adapt, innovate, and integrate.

Additionally, a series of professional activities, workshops, and vocational exchanges will further deepen the core issues of modern radio.

In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Mr. Trinh Van Quyet, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission, lauded the theme of this year's festival.

He affirmed that the festival is not only an occasion to honor outstanding works but also an essential forum for shaping the development of Vietnamese radio in the digital age.

Expanding content, enhancing international integration, and incorporating digital radio products into the competition categories clearly demonstrate innovative thinking and an alignment with modern developmental trends.

The Head of the Central Propaganda and Mobilization Commission requested the radio industry to continue affirming and maintaining its role as the official voice of the Party, the State, and the People.

Each program and work must promptly and accurately convey the Party's guidelines and policies, as well as the State's laws. The industry must proactively combat and refute distorted and hostile allegations to firmly protect the Party's ideological foundation.

Content quality should be improved toward accuracy, attractiveness, humanity and strong orientation.

Efforts should be accelerated to promote comprehensive digital transformation, build a multi-platform radio ecosystem, and strongly apply digital technologies, artificial intelligence and big data to improve content production and distribution, while expanding audience reach.

At the same time, the role of radio as a trusted forum of the People should be further promoted.

Attention should also be paid to cultivating a workforce of radio professionals with strong political will, professional ethics, solid expertise and mastery of modern technologies.

Alongside the Opening Ceremony, the "Sounds of a New Era" art program was presented as a concert bridging heritage and modernity, creating a multi-layered musical space. 

The program was structured into three chapters: Primitive Sounds, Heritage Sounds, and Sounds of a New Era, forming a grand musical festival with a seamless flow of content and emotion that left a deep impression on the audience.

Within the framework of the festival, specialized workshops were also held, such as: "Podcasts: Opening a 'Creative Avenue' for Radio in the Digital Era" and "Live Broadcasting in the New Era - Skills to Win Over the Public."

By THU THAO
Translated by X.QUANG