The 17th National Radio Festival officially opens.

Attending the opening ceremony of the 17th National Radio Festival 2026 were: Mr. Trinh Van Quyet, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Mr. Bui Van Nghiem, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Head of the Central Internal Affairs Department; Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Mr. Do Tien Sy, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, Secretary of the Party Committee, Director General of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Head of the National Radio Festival Steering Committee; Ms. Vu Viet Trang, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, Director General of the Vietnam News Agency; Mr. Quan Minh Cuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Ninh province; along with other members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, representatives of central and local ministries and agencies, representatives of the International Radio Association and many radio stations around the world.

In his opening remarks, Comrade Quan Minh Cuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Ninh Province, emphasized: Quang Ninh Province is honored to be chosen by the Voice of Vietnam Radio to host the 17th National Radio Festival - Quang Ninh 2026. This is not only a professional event, but also a gathering of souls who are always listening, of hearts that raise their voices for a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

The history of Quang Ninh is also an epic of the miners, with a tradition of "Discipline and Unity" that has become an invaluable spiritual heritage, a unique identity of the people of the mining region: sincere, resolute, daring to think and act, and always willing to be tolerant and united. This is the source of strength that enables us to overcome all the obstacles of history, building a diverse yet unified Quang Ninh, where culture becomes an endogenous resource, a soft power for development.

Over the years, Quang Ninh has become a shining example of comprehensive innovation and development; affirming its position as a dynamic growth pole in the North, with a consistently high GRDP growth rate for many years; and its Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) has consistently ranked among the top in the country.

Throughout that journey, the press in general and radio in particular have not only served as a channel of information but also as a bridge of trust. Radio waves have carried the breath of life, of construction sites, of seaports, and of aspirations to every home and village, contributing to the rekindling of faith and the spread of positive values ​​in society.

“Hosting the 17th National Radio Festival is a great honor for Quang Ninh province. We welcome you not only with the responsibility of being the host locality, but also with all the sincere feelings of a land rich in tradition, always cherishing human values, culture, and faith,” emphasized Comrade Quan Minh Cuong.

Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony, Comrade Trinh Van Quyet, Member of the Political Bureau and Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, emphasized: “The 17th National Radio Festival is an event of profound political, social, and cultural significance, making a practical contribution to celebrating the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party, the election of the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, and many other important events of the country.”

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Radio broadcasting is an extremely important tool of the Party and Government to guide and mobilize the people," and at the same time instructed that "the voice of the Party, Government, and people must be preserved at all costs in all situations."

Those words of advice remain as valuable as ever, continuing to illuminate the development of radio broadcasting in the new era. Throughout history, "The Voice of Vietnam" has resonated as a sacred symbol of national independence, opening up a persistent and resilient flow of revolutionary information, serving as a sharp means of propaganda and a reliable bridge between the Party, the State, and the People.

Amidst the information explosion and rapid digital transformation, Vietnamese radio has made significant strides, shifting from traditional methods to a multi-platform ecosystem; expanding its broadcasting space, diversifying its content, and reaching a wider audience. Through this, it continues to affirm its role as a legitimate, reliable, and responsive information channel, contributing to shaping public opinion, spreading positive values, and strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the State.

Comrade Trinh Van Quyet emphasized that, in the context of rapidly changing and complex global and regional situations; increasingly fierce information competition; and the strong impact of the achievements of the scientific and technological revolution on all aspects of social life, broadcasting needs to continue to "affirm its pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, firmly holding the information battleground," contributing to protecting the Party's ideological foundation.

The 17th National Radio Festival, themed "Radio for a Strong and Prosperous Vietnam," is not only an opportunity to honor outstanding works but also an important forum for shaping the development direction of Vietnamese radio in the digital age. Expanding content, strengthening international integration, and incorporating digital radio products into the competition system clearly demonstrates innovative thinking and a commitment to keeping pace with the trends of the times.

In order for the Festival to truly spread its values, promote its role, and contribute more effectively to the cause of national construction and defense, while also contributing to improving the quality of radio broadcasting in the future, Comrade Trinh Van Quyet proposed focusing on several key tasks.

Firstly, we must continue to affirm and uphold the role of radio as the official voice of the Party, the State, and the People. Every program and every work must promptly and accurately convey the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations; proactively combat and refute erroneous and hostile viewpoints, and firmly protect the Party's ideological foundation.

Secondly, improve the quality of content, ensuring it is engaging, humane, and courageous. "Radio broadcasting must be very insightful and emotionally resonant, closely reflecting life and the pulse of life," spreading positive values, encouraging new initiatives and innovative models, condemning evil, corruption, waste, and negativity, all for the common good of the nation and its people.

Third, accelerate digital transformation in the broadcasting sector; build a digital broadcasting ecosystem, strongly apply digital technology, artificial intelligence, and big data to improve the quality of content production and distribution and expand public accessibility.

Fourth, promote the role of radio broadcasting in bridging the gap between the Party, the State, and the people; strengthen listening to and truthfully and promptly reflecting the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the people; contribute to the improvement of policies and laws, create social consensus, and strengthen the great national unity.

Fifth, focus on building a team of broadcasters with strong political convictions, impeccable professional ethics, expertise in their field, proficiency in foreign languages, and mastery of modern technology. "This is the most decisive factor in determining the quality and prestige of broadcasting in the new era."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Comrade Do Tien Sy, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, Secretary of the Party Committee, Director General of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), and Head of the National Radio Festival Steering Committee, emphasized that the National Radio Festival is taking place in the context of the press entering a new phase with many opportunities and challenges. With the theme "Radio for a strong and prosperous Vietnam," this year's Radio Festival, held from April 9-13, aims to further affirm the development of the national radio industry in the face of the need for innovation.

With the participation of 34 provincial and city-level press and broadcasting agencies, the Military Broadcasting Center, the Public Security Communication Department, and other media units nationwide, the Festival featured nearly 350 works in various genres such as live radio broadcasts, investigative reports, and ethnic language programs. Particularly noteworthy, in the context of Vietnam's strong digital transformation in journalism, this year's Festival, with nearly 100 high-quality podcast works, affirmed the "powerful ability of sound to reach audiences across multiple platforms" and became a key category, demonstrating the Vietnamese broadcasting industry's determination to proactively adapt, innovate, and integrate. "Podcast - A Creative Boulevard in the Digital Age" was the theme of the international conference, bringing together over 500 leading experts from Vietnam and abroad, becoming one of the most prominent highlights of this year's Festival.

Furthermore, a series of professional activities, workshops, and networking events will continue to deepen the core issues of modern broadcasting, from live program production skills to captivating the audience in the digital environment, vividly and authentically reflecting life, spreading positive and humanistic values, and contributing to building a sustainable society.

“In the era of multi-platform media, radio broadcasting is not just about ‘listening’ but also about experiencing, not just about ‘transmitting information’ but also about connecting emotionally. This requires every radio professional to constantly innovate their thinking, improve their capabilities, master technology, and create content to meet the increasingly high demands of the public, further affirming the position and role of radio broadcasting in the Vietnamese press system and in the hearts of those who love radio and the Voice of Vietnam; while also opening up new, stronger, and more creative directions for the future. With the purpose, significance, and enthusiastic participation of 72 delegations in this festival, ‘we believe that the National Radio Broadcasting Festival Week will be a resounding success,’” emphasized VOV General Director Do Tien Sy.

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the art program "Sounds of the New Era" took place, creating a highlight to kick off the 17th National Radio Festival.

The program is built on the symbolic axis of "waves" and "sound"—characteristic signals of radio broadcasting, and also the cultural heartbeat of the mining region. From the sound of the sea breeze and the echoes of crashing waves to the persistent rhythm of human labor, everything is blended in the flow of music, creating a connection between the past, present, and future, reflecting the continuous movement of life and culture in the new era.

Through diverse artistic languages, the program creates a multi-layered musical space where folk, lyrical, and political elements blend with contemporary performance trends such as electronic, rap, and pop, along with modern sound and lighting technology, on the outdoor stage at 30-10 Square. Within this flow, heritage is recreated, renewed, and disseminated through forms of expression that resonate with today's audience.

The program is structured into three chapters, creating a continuous flow of content and emotion. "Original Sounds" begins with the sounds of nature and working life, depicting the journey of the Vietnamese community's formation, intertwined with mountains, rivers, and the sea. "Heritage Sounds" continues with folk melodies, lullabies, and songs reimagined with modern arrangements, showcasing the interplay between tradition and contemporary times. "Sounds of a New Era" concludes with a youthful, vibrant musical space, reflecting the spirit of the times, expressing creativity, confidence, and aspiration for development. The program ends with an explosion of emotion and faith in a new era, a strong and prosperous nation.

The highlight of the program is the convergence of many generations of artists. Besides artists who have grown up in the art environment of the Voice of Vietnam Radio such as People's Artist Thanh Hoa, Meritorious Artist Hoang Thanh, Meritorious Artist Dang Duong, Meritorious Artist Hoang Tung, Bui Le Man, the program also features beloved artists such as Truc Nhan, Hoa Minzy, Pham Anh Duy, Double2T, Hoang Bach, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Thu Thuy, Quach Mai Thy, Vu Thuy Linh, child rapper Xe Xe, the Oplus group, along with MCs Nguyen Khang, Do Phuong Loan and various art troupes.