The 42nd National Television Festival (42nd NTF) – a grand event for television professionals – will be officially opened on March 19, 2025, in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. Currently, Vietnam Television (VTV), in coordination with the host unit, Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station (BTV), is making final preparations to ensure a successful and outstanding festival. VTV Times spoke to Mr. Nguyen Cong Son, Director of Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station, about the preparations for this year's festival.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Son, Director of Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station, shares with a VTV Times reporter. (Photo: Phung Anh)
With just a few days to go before the 42nd National Television Festival officially opens in Quy Nhon, how do you feel at this moment as the representative of the host unit??
This is the first time Binh Dinh has had the honor of hosting the National Television Festival, which makes the pride even greater and the responsibility even higher. Hosting such a nationally significant event is a valuable opportunity for us to showcase Binh Dinh’s rich cultural and historical traditions as well as its ongoing development to friends within and outside the country. This event is not just a gathering for television professionals but also an occasion to honor the most outstanding works, facilitate networking among units, and exchange experiences to enhance the quality of television programs for audiences.
What preparations have Binh Dinh Province and Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station made for this important event?
Immediately after receiving the plan from VTV, the People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province issued a detailed deployment plan for units involved in organizing the festival. A steering committee and various subcommittees were also set up to ensure effective preparation.
At this point, all necessary preparations are almost complete. Binh Dinh Radio and Television has worked with relevant agencies to arrange accommodation, and transportation, recruit and train volunteers, and organize training for the event support team. A festival hotline has also been set up to promptly assist participating delegations.
The main event venues are ready: the opening ceremony, conferences, and exhibitions will take place at the Anya Premier Quy Nhon Hotel, while the closing ceremony and awards ceremony will be held at the Binh Dinh Provincial Convention Center. These events will be broadcast live on both VTV and BTV. Security, logistics, and infrastructure have all been fully prepared to ensure the event runs smoothly.
In terms of media coverage, Binh Dinh Radio and Television has worked with the Department of Information and Communications to promote the event widely through newspapers, social media, and digital platforms. Promotional clips about the festival are continuously being aired on VTV, the festival’s official website, and BTV. Additionally, visual communication efforts such as outdoor banners and press support have been implemented as planned.
With thorough preparations, Binh Dinh is ready to welcome delegations to the 42nd National Television Festival, a significant event for television professionals nationwide.
This year's National Television Festival (NTF) introduces several new features, including the Digital Platform Video category, which the Organizing Committee has revised and expanded it into three distinct subcategories: Digital Platform Video with News and Political Commentary Content, Digital Platform Video with Cultural and Educational Content, and Digital Platform Video with Entertainment Content. Additionally, this categorynow allows each participating unit to submit three works (an increase from the previous festival’s maximum of two works). What are your thoughts on these adjustments and additions made by the Organizing Committee?
These adjustments by the organizing committee are entirely reasonable and necessary to reflect the rapid development of digital media today. Dividing the Digital Platform Video category into three separate subcategories allows for a more in-depth and fairer evaluation of entries, clearly reflecting the diversity of creative content in the digital space.
Additionally, by increasing the number of entries from two to three, participating units will have the opportunity to showcase more high-quality works, contributing to the advancement and innovation of digital content creation. This change serves as an incentive for producers to continually innovate, meeting the growing demands of audiences on online platforms.
Overall, these changes demonstrate the organizing committee’s responsiveness to industry trends and reaffirm the growing importance of digital content in the modern media ecosystem.
How many works is Binh Dinh Radio and Television Station submitting to this year's festival, and in which categories? What makes this year's submissions different from previous years?
This year, Binh Dinh Radio and Television submitted 13 works in nine categories: reportage, theater, music, children's programs, educational programs, political commentary, discussion and debate, ethnic minority programs, and ethnic minority music. These are all high-quality works that authentically reflect the life, people, and cultural beauty of Binh Dinh.
A notable aspect of this year’s submissions is the innovation in storytelling and a broader, deeper approach to various topics. In addition to addressing current events, the works strongly emphasize local cultural elements, offering viewers a richer understanding of Binh Dinh’s martial arts heritage.
What are your expectations for the 42nd National Television Festival?
The National Television Festival is a major event that brings together television professionals from across the country to share experiences and collectively elevate the quality of television production.
My hope is that this year’s festival will continue to serve as a prestigious professional forum, offering units the opportunity to discuss emerging trends in journalism and television, especially in the context of the ongoing digital transformation.
Beyond honoring outstanding works, I hope the festival will inspire creativity and innovation in storytelling and topic selection, helping Vietnamese television move closer to global media trends. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Binh Dinh to showcase its cultural identity, people, and potential to a nationwide audience.
With the meticulous preparation by the organizing committee and the enthusiastic participation of television stations, I am confident that the 42nd National Television Festival will be a great success and leave a lasting impression.
Thank you very much!
