Their efforts, proactivity, responsibility, and dedication during this period were acknowledged and commended by General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and many high-ranking leaders of the Party and State. On behalf of the Politburo, General Secretary and State President To Lam praised the government, the Prime Minister, the military, police forces, relevant ministries, and especially the media, highlighting the role of Vietnam Television. VTV played a key role by closely directing and fully mobilizing resources to respond proactively and early to Storm No. 3and promptly mitigate its consequences. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also expressed his gratitude and commendation, recognizing VTV for its excellent work in forecasting, reporting, warning, and guiding Storm No. 3 from the very beginning and after the storm had passed, which helped to minimize the damage.
VTV reporters continue to update the situation of rain and floods in various provinces, as seen on September 11.
Storm No. 3 (Typhoon Yagi) was identified as a powerful storm with rapid intensification. It was the most powerful storm in the past 30 years, with unpredictable developments and an unusually long duration over land, affecting a wide area. Due to the storm’s complexity and danger, General Director Le Ngoc Quang directed the full mobilization of all units to participate in the reporting efforts. Not only the News Department and the Digital Content Production and Development Center—the two main units for news production—but also teams from the Ethnic Television Department, the Science Department, the International Relations Department, and other technical units joined forces to cover the storm and its aftermath. Given the severity of the storm and its residual effects, timely and accurate information was critical to alerting people and reducing potential damage to their lives.
Beginning on September 6 onward, several VTV teams were dispatched to key areas in Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Phu Tho, Lang Son, Bac Giang, and Hanoi to provide updates on the storm and flooding. Journalists worked through the night, continuously updating the situation in special news bulletins, and producing reports highlighting heartwarming stories of mutual support and kindness during difficult times.
Additionally, on digital platforms (News Department, VTV Digital, VTV Times), continuous updates on weather conditions, breaking news, and live streams provided reliable and timely information on flooding in various regions. According to the Digital Content Production and Development Center (VTV Digital), more than 300 million views were recorded on of storm-related news were recorded on VTV's digital platforms on September 6 and 7, 2024.
Earlier, many reporters and crews go to localities to report on storm No. 3.
Advance updates on storm and flood information helped people take precautionary measures to ensure safety when the storm made landfall. Commenting on the production process over the past few days, Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Mai, Deputy Head of the News Department, said that the team of reporters and editors from the News Department, in coordination with VTV Digital and other VTV units, worked tirelessly to produce nearly 100 individual news reports and special bulletins on Storm No. 3 and the floods with the highest sense of responsibility. This can be considered a record achievement and a significant effort by everyone involved during this period.
The coordination of the News Department was especially praised by General Director Le Ngoc Quang and the leaders of collaborating units for being scientific, clear, and effective, ensuring that despite the production of nearly 100 reports and programs related to the storm, the content remained rich, diverse, and non-repetitive.
VTV fully mobilizes its teams across regions to report on the storm. In the picture, some teams are working on September 11.
In addition to the production units, the Editorial Secretariat also contributed significantly during this period by flexibly adjusting schedules, and coordinating closely with the News Department to prioritize updates on Storm No. 3, floods, and the government's response. They also reduced or proposed suitable alternative programs during this time, helping ensure smooth broadcasting and safety.
On the morning of September 8, VTV’s General Director Le Ngoc Quang visits the News Department to encourage the teams who had been working around the clock to produce and broadcast reports on Storm No. 3. (Photo: Duy Duong)
Acknowledging the efforts of the units involved, General Director Le Ngoc Quang expressed his appreciation and gratitude to VTV's journalists. According to the General Director, proactive planning from the beginning, overcoming difficulties, and collaborative teamwork with creativity produced valuable and timely news reports, confirming the role of the media in storm forecasting and contributing to the overall effectiveness of storm and flood prevention efforts. This once again reaffirms VTV’s role as the nation’s leading multimedia organization, reflecting the responsibility, compassion, and support of VTV journalists for the people in the storm-affected areas.
As the storm and flood situation remains complicated, VTV teams are still deployed in various regions, continuing to report and update on the situation. They are also providing specific and practical warnings and guidance to assist those affected by the storm.
General Director Le Ngoc Quang emphasized that this experience is also a valuable lesson in effective coordination and production models, which should be applied to sudden events or major programs in the future. These experiences should be documented and integrated into the operational processes of VTV units, with a particular focus on using compact cameras, ensuring adequate power supplies, and exploring solutions for maintaining communications, such as satellite signals, during adverse weather conditions.
At a weekly briefing on the morning of September 11, VTV leaders and unit heads observe a minute of silence to honor the officers, soldiers, and citizens who lost their lives during Storm No. 3 (Typhoon Yagi).
During the meeting on September 11, VTV leadership and employees observed a moment of silence. After the meeting, reflecting the spirit of mutual support, many VTV employees participated in relief efforts to help those affected by Storm No. 3.
