Journalist Diem Quynh, Deputy Head of the Arts and Entertainment Department of Vietnam Television, recalled that the popularity of international music programs on VTV3 were hugely popular during that time. Diem Quynh, Kieu Trinh, and Minh Ngoc were the editors who curated and presented foreign music videos for late-night TV audiences. “When the Berne Convention came into effect, we had to stop doing that. VTV3 then partnered with BHD to officially purchase the broadcast rights for MTV Asia. That was truly a major shift because, besides music tracks, MTV also sent us extensive materials and original music video videos,” Diem Quynh recounted.
Since the program aired weekly, the production team maintained a steady work pace, producing a variety of shows such as MTV Tropical, MTV Top Songs of the Week, and various hit lists. “With two shows on air each week, we were constantly working with the data that MTV sent us. By the end of the year, our music room was filled with videos from MTV, taking up two cabinets. It made us feel we were doing something important for young people, and, together with the audience, we learned and listened to more music. Perhaps those early MTV years were also the time when Vietnamese youth practiced and learned foreign languages the most”, Diem Quynh shared.
Like Diem Quynh, editor Tuong Linh also holds fond memories of working on MTV Magazine, as it marked his first television appearance. “At that time, entertainment platforms for young people were quite scarce. It wasn’t like now, when you can find so much information with just one click. I had the chance to learn from my bosses, people like Diem Quynh and Anh Tuan”, editor Tuong Linh said.
