For years, VOV broadcasts - the voice of the Party and people have significantly contributed to the national revolutionary cause, successful war resistance and national construction.

After the success of the August Autumn in 1945, Uncle Ho arrived in Hanoi from Tan Trao to introduce an independent Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the whole people around the world. He wrote a declaration of independence at house number 48 on Hang Ngang street in Hanoi and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the then Ministry of Propaganda to make use of mass media by building a national radio station.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of technicians and workers, after only five days, the declaration of independence voiced by President Ho Chi Minh was broadcast loudly but calmly.

Set to the background music of the song “Smashing fascism” composed by Nguyen Dinh Thi, the calm, emotive voices of the first two broadcasters, Nguyen Van Nhat and Duong Thi Ngan urged people to put their faith in the revolution and Uncle Ho, signaling the birth of the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia.

Despite very basic technical equipment and a low capacity broadcast, VOV made an valuable contribution to combating domestic enemies and foreign invaders and served as an effective tool of the Party and the Government in helping the nation overcome every challenge and difficulty to follow the revolutionary path chosen by the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.

VOV encouraged people throughout the country to support south-central and southern struggles against foreign aggressors.

When the country started the resistance war, VOV broadcast Ho Chi Minh’s appeal to the whole nation from Tram Cave, a site not far from Hanoi (now belonging to Ha Tay province). Millions of people and soldiers joined in the protracted resistance war for national independence and sent a historical message to the world that they would rather save the country than live in slavery.

In the first years of the resistance wars against French colonists, US imperialists and international hostile forces, Vietnam was almost isolated from the outside world. However, under the leadership of the Party, the revolutionary forces won great victories. VOV continuously transmitted the news of victories from the front line to the rear, helping to strengthen the will of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians and dispirit enemy forces.

In the early 50’s, socialist-brother countries recognised Vietnam and established diplomatic ties with the country. Isolation was broken in the northern region and Vietnam’s position in the international arena was further elevated. VOV was then assigned with the new tasks of generating more strengths and power for the resistance cause. VOV’s role was vividly demonstrated at the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign. From Bac Can province, VOV broadcasted directions of the Headquarters to battlefields. The directions were transferred through commentary stories printed by the People’s Army newspaper.

Peace resumed in the north. With the development of technical information, VOV disseminated, cooperate with other media to recover and develop economy in the rear, and contributed to building the army and consolidating national defence.

In March 1959, VOV launched a programme for the army. Over the past half a century, the programme helped staff and soldiers to consolidate a strong national defence. At the same time, VOV carried out agitation and propaganda among enemy troops. The debut of the programme targeting US soldiers in Vietnam had a great impact on the soldiers and their families.

Over the 20 years of the resistance wars against French colonists and US imperialists, VOV had made important contributions to the great success of the nation.

VOV highlighted the people’s resistance to neo-colonialism and imperialism in the southern and northern parts of Vietnam, encouraged the fighting spirit of our army and people nationwide, denounced the crimes of invaders and won the hearts of international friends.

VOV broadcast a variety of revolutionary songs nationwide, encouraging millions of Vietnamese soldiers. The news of victory was transmitted quickly to every corner of the country. Although VOV was a target of the US air force during the war, it still stands firm. VOV also played an important part in many historic events including the Tet Mau Than Offensive in 1968, the Road 9-Khe Sanh battle in 1968, the Tri-Thien attack campaign in 1972, the 1975 Spring general offensive and uprising. I still remember the moment on April 30, 1975.  At the general headquarters, after hearing the unconditional surrender of Duong Van Minh, I instructed the department of propaganda and training under the Political Bureau to phone the Vietnam News Agency and VOV to broadcast the news of victory. Only 15 minutes later, VOV interrupted their daily programme to broadcast the news of the “ Total victory of the Ho Chi Minh campaign” repeatedly. This was an unforgettable moment.

Nowadays, in this new era, VOV broadcasts reach every corner of the country. VOV, in co-ordination with communication agencies, has a role in the renovation of the Party as well as in the country’s modernisation and industrialisation. Generations of VOV staff are very proud of its glorious tradition and excellent achievements over the last decade.