To mark the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Journalism (June 21, 1925 – June 21, 2025), on the afternoon of June 20, the Journalists’ Association of Vietnam Television, in collaboration with the VTV Youth Union, organized a seminar titled “How Are We Practicing Journalism?” and hosted the award ceremony for the video contest “100 Seconds for the Profession – True Stories of Journalism.”
Participating in the discussion were the following speakers: journalist Ha Thu Hang – Head of the Social Affairs Division, News Department; journalist Nguyen Thi Kim Xuan – Social Affairs Division, News Department; journalist Nguyen Duc De – Entertainment and Documentary Department, Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City; and journalist Nguyen Thu Yen – Department of Special Features and Educational Programs.
The journalists participating in the discussion.
Guests reflected on the profound transformations in journalism amidst rapid technological advancements, especially the rise of social media and artificial intelligence (AI).
Journalist Ha Thu Hang, Head of the Social Affairs Division of the News Department, remarked that the “100 seconds” format carried dual meaning: it commemorated 100 years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism and embodied the modern television trend,of engaging the audience in every second and competing directly with social media.
Journalist Ha Thu Hang – Head of the Social Affairs Division of the News Department– shares her thoughts at the panel discussion.
According to Ha Thu Hang, the duration of 1 minute and 30 seconds, or even less, has become the new standard in producing news features. This requires journalists to be more flexible in their approach to and presentation of their content.
Sharing this viewpoint, Nguyen Thu Yen emphasized that the greatest motivation for journalists generating a positive impact on society through their work.
Journalist Nguyen Thu Yen speaks about the motivation of journalists.
“Adapting to changes in financial mechanisms and operational models is an irreversible trend that requires the joint efforts from both reporters and leadership teams”, journalist Nguyen Thu Yen shared.
The next session focused on the role of artificial intelligence in the journalism industry. The journalists acknowledged that AI is becoming a powerful tool for data analysis, content personalization, and workflow optimization. However, they agreed that human thinking, emotion, and professional integrity remain irreplaceable.
Journalist Nguyen Duc De emphasized that: “The quality of a news piece does not lie in the tools, but in the heart of the writer. While AI can support technical processes, only humans can empathize and convey the actual depth of a story”.
Journalist Nguyen Duc De shares his views on the role of artificial intelligence in the field of journalism.
Journalist Nguyen Thi Kim Xuan affirmed that AI should remain a supportive tool. However, journalists must remain the core—they are the ones who live the story, understand the heartbeat of society, and grasp the audience’s real needs.
The emotional highlight of the program was the awards ceremony for the video contest, “100 Seconds for Journalism – Honest Stories of the Profession”. Although each entry was only a few dozen seconds long, they powerfully conveyed the passion, experiences, and pride of VTV journalists.
The “Most Inspirational” award was given to Phung Anh, a resident correspondent of Vietnam Television in the Middle East, for a video that highlighted the challenges and risks of field reporting, alongside the great honor of being a correspondent.
The “Most Impressive Visuals” category awarded two works:
- The News Departments video documenting its reporting from the heart of Typhoon Yagi. The video captures the bravery, responsibility, and sacrifice of journalists during natural disasters.
- Journalist Truong Son from the Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City shared a video recounting his reporting journey at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he faced numerous dangers, yet remained true to his passion for journalism.
The “Most Honest Voice” award was presented to journalist Nguyen Thu Ha, Head of the Department of Special Features and Educational Programs, for her sincere reflections on her career journey and her thoughts as a journalist in an ever-changing media landscape.
Three “Golden 100 Seconds” awards, the highest honor, were awarded to:
- Editor Xuan Anh from the News Department, for a video portraying the growth of young professionals in a rigorous journalism environment;
- The Vietnam Television Center for the Central – Central Highlands (VTV8) produced a video titled “Filming with the Mentally Ill”, a profoundly human piece that approached a sensitive topic with compassion.
- Camerawoman Le Thuy Bao Anh (VTV8) shared her story of overcoming gender bias to pursue a career in television cinematography and succeed in it.
The Team Spirit – Connected Energy award was presented to VTV8 for submitting a large number of high-quality entries and fostering a strong spirit of unity and professional passion throughout the organization.
Below are some images from the event:
