MC Dang Hoang Anh: Bilingual face of international VTV channel

Journey at the national foreign television channel

September 7, 2025 marked the launch of Vietnam Today, the national foreign television channel of Vietnam Television (VTV). MC/BTV Dang Hoang Anh, one of the faces of the channel, shared about the 3-month preparation process full of enthusiasm of the whole team. She recounted the days of working late into the night, eating instant noodles with colleagues in the meeting room to meet the schedule, all for the common goal of a perfect launch.

With 10 news bulletins a day, working at Vietnam Today requires a high level of concentration and professionalism. From moving in front of the camera, listening to commands through the headset, to editing content for the next morning's news bulletins, every action must be quick and accurate. Hoang Anh said she learned an important lesson to do this job well: the need for 4T: Mind, Vision, Speed ​​and Trust.

Before joining Vietnam Today, Hoang Anh had experience in the International Department - News Department and Digital Content Department of Chuyen Dong 24h. At the News Department, she learned to be careful and disciplined by editing 5-10 news stories per shift. Meanwhile, the youthful environment of VTV24 allowed her to freely create. Vietnam Today is a place that combines both factors, helping her work in a dynamic English environment while practicing the meticulousness of a professional news editor.

New York background and storytelling

Hoang Anh graduated with a degree in Communication Diplomacy from Baruch College and a degree in Journalism and Communications in Manhattan, New York. The academic environment in the US has trained her to think critically, independently and with the ability to tell multi-dimensional stories. She was encouraged to ask questions, debate and look at issues from multiple perspectives, which has shaped her current approach to work.

“I always ask myself: What does this news mean to the audience? How will they feel?”, Hoang Anh shared. Her passion for storytelling was nurtured from her childhood, when she often listened to her father tell inspiring stories. She participated in storytelling competitions and realized that each story has many perspectives, what matters is how the storyteller chooses and presents it. This skill also helps her improvise well and master the stage when presenting live.

Balancing two cultures: English and Vietnamese

For Hoang Anh, English is not only a foreign language but also a tool to conquer her dreams. Growing up in a traditional family but having attended an international school since middle school and studying abroad at university, she had the opportunity to be exposed to English from an early age. However, she always strives to maintain her connection with her Vietnamese cultural roots.

“When I was studying in the US, I was still more comfortable speaking Vietnamese than English. So I always tried to keep the rhythm between the two languages ​​- one to connect with the world, one to keep the roots in my heart,” she shared. At Vietnam Today, she applies the principle of “cultural translation”, not simply translating the language, but also conveying the context so that international audiences can understand correctly and feel close to Vietnam.

A Private World Behind the Lens: From Crafts to Disney

To balance her work schedule, Hoang Anh turns to personal hobbies such as singing, making crafts, drawing, flower arranging, and playing the piano. These quiet moments help her “disconnect”, reflect on herself, and recharge. She considers painting as a “meditation time”, helping her deal with overthinking and understand herself better.

Another interesting thing is that Hoang Anh has been a Disney fan since she was a child. She knows many songs and can name the characters. The line “Because my world would be a wonderland” from the movie Alice in Wonderland has become her guiding principle in life. Hoang Anh always wants to create an interesting world of her own through her perspective and storytelling, whether on set or in everyday life.