Take Off – Soaring with the Times: Stories of True Journalists

Looking back on the past 100 years of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press (founded June 21, 1925), it is evident that  Vietnamese journalism has undergone a significant transformation over the past century, shifting from traditional print media to digital platforms. Despite these  changes in format, the core aspiration to accompany and guide society remains intact.

Journalism innovates to maintain public trust.

In the ever-changing tides of modern life, journalism faces both significant challenges and new opportunities to reinvent itself. Along that journey, some individuals are not only journalists but also pioneers who shape trends and lay  the foundation for digital transformation across the industry. Journalist Le Quoc Minh is widely regarded as one of the key figures leading this change. He has played a vital role in developing the converged newsroom model  and  promoting digital innovation. He has also made technology and creativity central pillars of mainstream journalism.

Journalist Le Quoc Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists' Association and Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, is a pioneer in digital media transformation. He has spearheaded the development of converged newsrooms, data journalism, podcasts, and multi-platform communication,. His guiding philosophy is  clear: “Innovate to preserve public trust, but never lose our identity”.

Journalist Le Quoc Minh

On Take Off, he shared that journalism has never faced such profound challenges: shifting user behavior, fierce competition, declining revenues, and the rapid rise of technology and AI. However, he believes  that this presents a golden opportunity for journalism to leverage technology, personalize content, and reconnect with its audience.

Mainstream journalism must step out of its comfort zone, dare to try and even fail, to create new, compelling, and valuable content. Only when we have readers and viewers can we fulfill  our  mission of serving the nation and the people, he emphasized.

A Torchbearer for Journalism

Alongside digital pioneers, Take Off also honors those who   inspire the next generation of journalists.

Journalist and lecturer Dinh Ngoc Son, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Broadcasting and Television at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, has devoted over 20 years to both practicing and teaching journalism. His hands-on experiences, ranging from reporting in the field to writing stories, have become invaluable lessons in his classroom.

Journalist Dinh Ngoc Son

For him, the spirit of revolutionary journalism lies not in clickbait headlines or sensationalism, but in sincerity and perseverance. Though now retired, he continues to teach modern journalism and AI in communication, helping even older learners adapt to the digital age.

Today's  journalists today cannot afford to stand by the wayside of technology. You must learn to understand and apply it, or you will be left behind, he shared.

Photojournalist Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan

A Journalist of the New Era

The third guest on the program, photojournalist Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan (also known as Tien Tuan), tells the story of current affairs through the lens of his camera.

Rather than chasing sensationalism, he seeks out quiet, everyday moments, where kindness and humanity reside. For him, journalism is about stillnessand recording what is authentic and human.

In an era of booming social media and AI-generated images, photojournalists like him face immense pressure: the need for by-the-minute updates and the flood of fake imagery. Yet Tien Tuan believes this makes it even more vital for photojournalists to maintain integrity and professional ethics.

We are always seeking the truth  and  crafting stories that evoke emotion and humanity. That’s how journalism continues to serve the public, he explained.

“Photojournalists today are facing three major challenges: information technology, social media, and AI”, shared Journalist Nguyen Tien Anh Tuan. “Smartphones now act like an all-in-one newsroom. As photojournalists, we have to teach ourselves new tools and adapt fast”. He added: “Today, image updates on social media are no longer counted by the day, but by the minute. Meanwhile, AI-generated images are becoming increasingly common and more difficult to detect. That means that  photojournalists  must race against time  not only to break news but also   to stay true in a world increasingly dominated by fake visuals. Our mission remains the same: to seek the truth, to create value, and to serve our audience with honest and real  stories ”.

The 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Journalism marks a moment of tribute to generations of journalists who have stood with the nation through every turning point. In today's rapidly changing landscape, journalism needs to be courageous, innovative, and committed to truth-telling more than ever . Soaring with the Times is not just a slogan;  it reflects the spirit of   journalists who are always moving forward, constantly learning and creating, ensuring that journalism is not only present, but also a driving force for understanding, dialogue, and social  progress.