Over its 81-year journey of establishment and development, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade has not only affirmed its role as the official mouthpiece of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), but has also become a trusted companion of the Vietnamese business community on its path towards international integration.

From information on global trade policies to analyses of market trends, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade has contributed to providing information and serving as an important bridge connecting businesses, policymakers and the network of Vietnamese trade offices abroad.

On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade (October 2, 1945 - 2026), a reporter from the Newspaper of Industry and Trade spoke with Dang Thi Thanh Phuong, Trade Counsellor at the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Strengthening the “information conduit”

- From your perspective based on the realities of the local market, how do you assess the role of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade as an “information bridge” over the years, particularly in providing market information to readers and businesses in Viet Nam?

Trade Counsellor Dang Thi Thanh Phuong: The Newspaper of Industry and Trade has effectively performed its role as a bridge between the MoIT and the network of Vietnamese trade offices abroad, contributing to strengthening information links between Viet Nam and Vietnamese trade missions overseas. The Vietnamese trade office network abroad has always regarded the Newspaper of Industry and Trade as a closely connected and regular partner, rather than simply a sectoral news outlet.

the Newspaper of Industry and Trade serves as an effective two-way information bridge. On the one hand, the Newspaper promptly communicates the policies, guidelines, directions and management measures of the Government and the MoIT to the domestic business community and Vietnamese trade offices abroad. For us, it is essential to quickly grasp developments at home so that we can provide advice and support to Vietnamese businesses seeking access to local markets.

On the other hand, the Newspaper serves as a channel through which market information, warnings and recommendations collected and analysed by trade offices in their respective markets can be disseminated quickly and widely to domestic businesses. Such information would be much harder to reach a broad range of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises,if it were communicated solely through conventional administrative documents.

In our work in Germany, the Trade Office regularly provides articles and news reports on policy changes, import regulations, trade remedies and trade promotion opportunities. the Newspaper of Industry and Trade consistently receives, edits and publishes these materials promptly, accurately and in a timely manner. This gives domestic businesses greater access to information, enabling them to proactively respond to policy changes, minimise risks and seize opportunities to expand exports to the German market.

If the trade offices are the “extended arm” of the MoIT overseas, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade is the “information conduit” that helps ensure this arm operates smoothly and effectively, while maintaining close links with the domestic market.

Expanding the space for external communication

- Beyond information on markets and trade activities, what advantages can the Newspaper of Industry and Trade leverage to promote Viet Nam’s potential, production capacity, business environment and economic image to international businesses, partners and investors?

Trade Counsellor Dang Thi Thanh Phuong: In addition to its role in providing market and trade information, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade has distinctive advantages that can be leveraged to promote Viet Nam’s potential, production capacity, business environment and economic image to the international business community, partners and investors.

First is its advantage in terms of access to official information and the broader information ecosystem of the sector. the Newspaper of Industry and Trade is closely connected with the MoIT, the business community and, in particular, a network of more than 60 Vietnamese trade offices and trade office branches around the world. This represents a highly valuable source of on-the-ground information.

If effectively leveraged, this network could form a broad-based economic and trade information system, providing not only market information but also analysis of Viet Nam’s competitiveness and investment environment from a comparative perspective with host countries, thereby meeting the information needs of international investors and partners.

Second, the Newspaper could further expand multilingual content, particularly in English, targeting international readers. International partners, investors, foreign chambers of commerce and international trade promotion organisations are increasingly in need of an authoritative and up-to-date source of information on Viet Nam’s production capacity, supply chains, policies and investment environment.

In recent years, the Viet Nam Economic News has effectively played an important role in providing information. Its English-language platform could be further developed into an information portal on Viet Nam’s economy, trade and investment, drawing on models such as those of Singapore, Ireland and India.

In addition to news, there should be greater emphasis on content such as “Why Doing Business in Viet Nam,” information on promising sectors and industries, specific trade and investment cooperation opportunities, economic data and policies, as well as success stories of foreign businesses operating in Viet Nam. 

This would serve as an effective channel for promoting Viet Nam, while also helping reduce the fragmentation of information that can arise when individual trade offices conduct separate communication activities in their respective markets.

The Newspaper could also coordinate the organisation of forums and online seminars, connecting domestic businesses with trade offices and overseas partners. Through such activities, the Newspaper would not only fulfil its information function but also directly create a space for substantive connections and promote Viet Nam’s image among international partners.

At the same time, closer links with the network of Vietnamese trade offices abroad would help bring information and opportunities from Viet Nam to the right markets and the right partners. Specifically, the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Germany also operates a website in both Vietnamese and English, with the English-language platform providing information on the Vietnamese market and business opportunities with Vietnamese partners.

By making effective use of these strengths, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade could become an important external communications channel as well as an effective instrument for trade and investment promotion, helping bring Viet Nam’s image, capabilities and economic potential closer to the international business community.

- In your view, as Viet Nam enters a new phase of international integration, with increasingly demanding requirements for green and digital transformation, digital trade and sustainable development, how should the Newspaper of Industry and Trade strengthen its role as a “bridge” to continue supporting economic diplomacy and the business community effectively?

Trade Counsellor Dang Thi Thanh Phuong: As Viet Nam enters a new phase of international integration, the global economy is moving rapidly towards greener, more digital and sustainable development, placing increasingly demanding requirements on businesses. To continue strengthening its role as a “two-way bridge” between Viet Nam and international markets, the Newspaper of Industry and Trade needs to innovate both its content and its methods of operation.

First, the Newspaper should proactively update and disseminate new regulations and standards in international markets, particularly requirements related to green transformation and sustainable development. Through the network of trade offices, the Newspaper can provide information at an early stage that is accurate and accessible, helping businesses prepare proactively and adapt effectively.

At the same time, there should be greater emphasis on English-language content and external communications, including articles, interviews and features with foreign businesses investing and operating in Viet Nam. International businesses are increasingly interested in Viet Nam, but they still lack comprehensive, systematic and reliable sources of information. The practical experiences of international investors and partners would provide a more concrete perspective on Viet Nam’s business environment and capabilities.

The Newspaper could also increase its coverage of cross-border e-commerce, supporting businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in accessing platforms and payment methods, enabling them to take greater initiative in production, business operations and market development.

Alongside this, a regular coordination mechanism between the Newspaper of Industry and Trade and the network of trade offices should be maintained through online briefings, commissioned articles on specific themes and greater engagement of trade counsellors and heads of trade offices as contributors from their respective markets.

Thank you very much for sharing your insights!

Trade Counsellor Dang Thi Thanh Phuong emphasised that by effectively strengthening its role as a “two-way bridge,” the Newspaper of Industry and Trade can help bring information, Viet Nam’s image and opportunities for cooperation and business to international markets, while also enabling domestic businesses to quickly grasp developments in overseas markets. This represents a practical contribution by the Newspaper to Viet Nam’s economic diplomacy and international integration process.