In his opening speech, Quan Minh Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Quang Ninh provincial Party Committee and head of the province’s National Assembly delegation, said Quang Ninh was honoured to be selected by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) to host the 17th National Radio Festival - Quang Ninh 2026. He said the event is not only a professional gathering but also a gathering of those devoted to listening and giving voice for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

“Hosting the 17th National Radio Festival is a great honour for Quang Ninh. We welcome delegates with the responsibility of a host locality, as well as the sincere affection of a land rich in tradition that values people, culture and trust,” he said.

Addressing the ceremony, Trinh Van Quyet, Politburo member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, said the festival carries profound political, social and cultural significance, contributing to celebrations of the successful 14th National Party Congress, elections to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, along with other major national events.

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that “radio is an extremely important tool of the Party and the Government to guide and mobilise the people,” and stressed the need to “preserve the voice of the Party, the Government and the people in all circumstances.”

According to Trinh Van Quyet, those instructions remain valid and continue to guide the development of radio in the new era. Over different historical periods, VOV has resonated as a symbol of national independence, opening a steady flow of revolutionary information and serving as a sharp communication channel and a trusted bridge between the Party, the State and the people.

With the theme “Radio for a strong and prosperous Vietnam,” the 17th National Radio Festival is an occasion to honour outstanding works and a forum to shape the future direction of Vietnam’s radio sector in the digital era.

The expansion of content, stronger international integration and the inclusion of digital radio products in the competition show a renewed mindset in line with current trends.

To ensure the festival spreads its values and contributes more effectively to national development and defence while improving the quality of radio activities, he called for a focus on several key tasks.

First, continue to affirm and maintain the role of radio as the official voice of the Party, the State and the people. Each programme and work must convey timely and accurate Party guidelines and State policies and laws, while proactively countering false and hostile views and firmly safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation.

Second, improve content quality to ensure it is engaging, humane and bold. Radio must be precise, stay close to real life, capture emotions, spread positive values, encourage new models and creative initiatives, and criticise wrongdoing, corruption, waste and negative practices for the common interest of the nation.

Third, accelerate digital transformation in radio, build a digital radio ecosystem, and apply digital technologies, artificial intelligence and big data to improve production, distribution and audience reach.

Fourth, strengthen the role of radio as a bridge between the Party, the State and the people by listening more closely and reflecting in a timely and truthful manner the legitimate aspirations of the people, contributing to policy and legal improvements, strengthening social consensus and national unity.

Fifth, develop a contingent of radio professionals with strong political resolve, sound professional ethics, solid expertise and foreign language skills, and the ability to master modern technologies. “This is the most decisive factor for the quality and credibility of radio in the new period,” he emphasized.

Affirming that the festival is a celebration of intellect, dedication and creativity among radio professionals nationwide, Trinh Van Quyet expressed confidence that the 17th edition would be highly successful, leaving a strong impression and continuing to elevate radio as a key force on the ideological and cultural front.

Speaking at the ceremony, Do Tien Sy, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of VOV, said the festival takes place as journalism enters a new period with both opportunities and challenges.

Held from April 9 to 13, the festival continues to affirm the development of Vietnam’s radio sector amid growing demands for innovation. It brings together 34 press and radio-television agencies from provinces and cities, the Military Broadcasting Centre, the Public Security Communications Department and other media units, with nearly 350 entries across formats such as live radio, investigative reports and ethnic-language programmes.

In the context of strong digital transformation, nearly 100 high-quality podcast entries highlight audio’s strong multi-platform reach and have become a main category of the festival, showing the sector’s proactive adaptation, renewal and integration.

The international workshop “Podcast-the avenue of creativity in the digital era” attracts more than 500 leading experts from Vietnam and abroad and is among the festival’s key highlights.

A broad array of professional activities, workshops and exchanges will further deepen key issues of modern radio, from live production skills to engaging the public in the digital environment, capturing real life and spreading positive and humane values for sustainable development.

“In the era of multi-platform communication, radio is about listening and experience, about delivering information and connecting emotions. This requires radio professionals to continuously innovate, improve capacity, master technology and create content to meet increasing public demand and reinforce the position of radio within Vietnam’s media system,” he said.

Following the opening ceremony, the art programme “Sounds of a New Era” was staged as a highlight of the festival.
Presented as a concert blending heritage and contemporary elements, the programme shows a renewed approach to political and artistic content by VOV and Quang Ninh province, honouring the development of Vietnamese radio and spreading solidarity, creativity and national aspiration.

National Radio Festival embraces digital era, adds podcast category

VOV.VN - The 17th National Radio Festival will take place from April 11 to 13 in northern Quang Ninh province, reaffirming the vital role of radio in society and highlighting its transformation in the digital era.