Uncle Ho with officials, reporters and artists of the Voice of Vietnam in 1967 (Source: Documentary photo)

Immediately after the successful August Revolution, President Ho Chi Minh instructed Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap, Comrade Xuan Thuy and the Ministry of Communications to urgently establish the National Radio Station.

President Ho Chi Minh pointed out the important contents of the radio as: “In terms of domestic affairs, it propagates the guidelines and policies of the Party and Government, promptly reflects the situation of the country and the world; is the bridge between the central agencies and the localities, the government and the people. Regarding foreign affairs, it smashes distorted allegations of imperialism and reactionary forces, taking advantage of the sympathy and support of the people in the world for the Vietnamese revolution."

In just a short time of 16 days (from August 22 to September 7, 1945), after receiving Uncle Ho's direction, the VOV conducted radio programs in poor conditions of facilities, equipment and means. The great success of the first broadcast on September 7, 1945 was due to Uncle Ho's deep concern, who always thought about the radio of an independent country, as well as the efforts, revolutionary enthusiasm, patriotic spirit, and love for the profession of the first officials of the VOV.

The first radio program was 90 minutes long, including contents about domestic and foreign affairs, music and especially the full text of the Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square in the afternoon of September 2, 1945. Following was breaking news in three languages: Vietnamese, French and English.

The first radio program of the VOV had great significance, leaving an unforgettable impression in the first generations of staff and in the hearts of the people across the country.

As the initiator of the establishment of the VOV, President Ho Chi Minh always paid much attention to the development of the radio. During his lifetime, he visited the VOV 6 times and on each visit, he assigned a new task and gave new advice to the leaders and staff of the radio.

VOV implements Uncle Ho’s teachings

Students of the Hanoi National University of Education looking at artifacts of VOV on display at the Vietnam Press Museum. (Photo: CPV)

In the 76 years since its establishment, VOV has always followed the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh. It strives to promote the glorious, dynamic, creative and innovative tradition to be a modern multi-form and multi-media agency, ensuring political orientation; a key and important press of the Party and State; a bridge to spread information; a trusted forum of people at home and abroad, greatly contributing to the construction and defence of the homeland.

Currently, VOV is the only national press agency that has developed a multimedia communication model with all four types of media: audio, video, online and printed newspapers. It owns strong force with nearly 2,700 officers, editors, reporters, technicians, artists and employees.

So far, the radio has grown with 8 radio channels, of which there are 2 channels broadcasting in 13 ethnic minority languages and 13 foreign languages; 17 TV channels; 2 online newspapers; 1 printed press; 6 permanent offices in the country and 13 permanent offices in countries around the world; 1 theatre; and 2 Radio and Television Colleges.

With continuous efforts and great contributions to the country, VOV has been recognized and appreciated by the Party and State; was awarded noble awards such as: The “Hero of the People's Armed Forces” title to the VOV Theatre, the First Class Labour Medal to VOV, the First Class Independence Medal to the News Department of VOV1, and the First Class Labour Medal to the Department of Foreign Affairs of VOV5.

Over the past 70 years, VOV has been worthy of being a pioneering soldier on the ideological and cultural fronts; accompanied the nation in every historical journey, always makes great contributions to the construction and defence of the homeland; affirming its position among the leading organs raising the voices of the Party and the State, and as a bridge between the Vietnamese community domestically and abroad./.

BTA