For many decades, we have experienced various forms of mass media, such as newspapers, Radio, TV, and online newspapers. Every time new form of mass media appeared, there were worries that it would negatively affect the previous ones. For instance, it was thought that radio broadcasting would compete against newspapers, or be made redundant by TV, which would then be chosen against online newspapers. However, the history of the press has demonstrated that each form of media has its own characteristics, and does not replace each other. All forms of the mass media support each other, co-exist and develop strongly providing information and improving the quality of people’s lives, both materially and spiritually. Up to now, radio is still considered the fastest way of providing information, and has become an indispensable part of people’s daily lives.

This has been confirmed by VOV’s steady development step. Over the past decade, despite tough competition from TV stations at both central and local levels, as well as the bloom in online newspapers after Vietnam officially integrated into the global Internet in 1997, VOV has successfully turned every challenge into an opportunity. The national radio grasped every opportunity to develop digital technology and applied telecommunications technology in order to become the best form of media in Vietnam. Now it has four forms: radio broadcasting, a newspaper, a TV channel and an online newspaper. This has helped VOV to expand its transmission far and wide.

Every channel at VOV functions well, such as VOV1 (politics and current affairs) broadcasting 19 hours a day, VOV2 (culture, lifestyle, science and education) broadcasting 18 hours a day, VOV3 (information, music and entertainment) broadcasting 24 hours a day, VOV4 (ethnic minority languages), VOV 5 (external affairs) and traffic information channel. Since September 7, 2008, the TV channel has increased its broadcasting time from nine to 19 hours a day. Its favourite programmes include “Tim Trong Kho Bau” (Finding in the treasure), “Phan Hoi Thu Thinh Gia (feedback from listener’s letters) and live debates on economic, agricultural and rural development.

The traffic information channel on FM 91 MHz was officially launched in May 2009. With an airtime of 15 hours a day, the channel provides traffic information for road users to help ease traffic congestion, reduce accidents and raise public awareness of the need to strictly observe traffic laws.

Immediately after its launch, the channel received public acclaim for providing useful information to road users in Hanoi.

Since September, 2009, VOV’s bureau in the Mekong Delta Can Tho province broadcast a new programme in Khmer and standard Vietnamese and increased its airtime from 7 to 16 hours/day. Meanwhile, VOV’s Bureau in the central region has started to broadcast a 90-minute daily programme in Ctul, bringing the number of ethnic minority languages broadcast on VOV channels to 12.

Apart from producing many new programmes, VOV has increased its broadcasting time and modernised its transmission technology. On May 18, 2009, VOV set up terrestrial links to broadcast a TV channel to mark the late President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

In mid August 2009, VOV’s traffic information channel on FM 91 MHz started to broadcast online at VOV’s website.

While diverse activities were held to mark National Day, (September 2) and the 40 years of implementing the late President Ho Chi Minh’s testament, VOV officially launched its East Sea broadcasting service, covering more than 3,500, km at the VN1 transmitter station in Hanoi’s Son Tay town. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung pressed the button to start the transmitter.

The channel provides accurate, timely, and round-the-clock information on domestic and foreign affairs, economics, cultural, and social events, and especially warnings of about extreme weather and search and rescue operations at sea to minimise the loss of life and property caused by natural disasters.

Along with the development of different forms of media, VOV has constantly renewed itself to keep pace with modern technologies, thus expanding VOV’s transmission to every corner of the country.