On the afternoon of October 2, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Industry and Trade Newspaper (Cong Thuong Newspaper) held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its Traditional Day, along with the award ceremony of the Contest on the History of the Industry and Trade Sector.

The event brought together many distinguished guests. On behalf of the MoIT were: Member of the Party Central Committee, Party Secretary and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien; Standing Deputy Party Secretary of the MoIT Phan Van Ban; Chairman of the Vietnam Industry and Trade Union Le An Hai; together with leaders of departments, agencies, institutes, and functional units under the Ministry.

Representatives from ministries and central agencies included: Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh; Director of the Press Department Luu Dinh Phuc; Deputy Director of the Press-Publication Department under the Central Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Vu Quy Cuong; and Major General Pham Van Huan, expert at the Central Military Commission.

The celebration was also attended by media experts, leaders of press agencies, representatives of enterprises that have accompanied the Industry and Trade Newspaper over the years, as well as generations of former and current leaders, editors, journalists, and staff.

Honoring an 80-year legacy

In his opening remarks, Party Secretary and Editor-in-Chief of the Industry and Trade Newspaper Nguyen Van Minh highlighted the historical significance of the event for generations of journalists at the newspaper. Over eight decades, the newspaper has played a pioneering role, fulfilling its mission as one of Vietnam’s leading economic publications under a multi-sector ministry.

The newspaper’s legacy dates back to early publications such as Vietnam Economic Bulletin, Economic Front, and Industry and Trade Journal, later evolving through Trade, Commerce, and Industry newspapers before becoming the Industry and Trade Newspaper of today. Over time, many of its journalists have risen to leadership positions in ministries, academia, and research institutions, contributing to the nation’s development.

On behalf of the editorial board, Nguyen Van Minh expressed deep gratitude to the Party and State, successive MoIT leaders, relevant ministries, local authorities, enterprises, collaborators, and loyal readers for their support throughout the newspaper’s history. He paid tribute to veteran journalists who overcame difficulties to build a proud tradition for future generations to follow.

As Vietnam steps into a new era of development, he noted, both the Industry and Trade sector and the newspaper face greater responsibilities. Positioned as a key pillar of the national economy, the newspaper must continue to uphold its tradition while embracing innovation, creativity, and political responsibility.

He pledged that the newspaper would unite to modernize operations, diversify platforms, strengthen strategic commentary, and enhance financial sustainability, aiming to become a leading economic newspaper in content and form, trusted by readers and influential in shaping industrial and trade policy.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien urges media innovation

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien delivered a keynote address, praising and congratulating generations of leaders, editors, journalists, and staff for their contributions over the past eight decades.

He emphasized the symbolic significance of the anniversary, held alongside the award ceremony of the Contest on the 80-year history of the Industry and Trade sector - a major political and ideological event designed to honor tradition and foster pride throughout the Ministry.

He commended the organizers, especially the Industry and Trade Newspaper, for their creativity and dedication, and congratulated the winning authors and groups for their achievements in spreading knowledge and pride about the sector’s legacy.

The Minister underlined that, as Vietnam enters a new era of industrialization and international integration, the Industry and Trade sector carries an increasingly important mission to contribute to national prosperity. He emphasized that the Ministry’s press agencies, particularly the Industry and Trade Newspaper, must continue to innovate comprehensively, take the lead in communicating industrial and trade policies, and strengthen their position among the country’s leading economic publications.

He emphasized five key tasks for the newspaper.

First, it is necessary to thoroughly internalize Party guidelines and State policies to enhance political responsibility and ensure that reporting aligns with national development priorities.

Second, the newspaper must closely follow national and sectoral development strategies to provide timely, accurate, and persuasive information, thereby fostering broad social consensus.

Third, there should be a stronger focus on research and practical reflection to effectively translate Party and State policies into reality through impactful communication.

Fourth, operations need to be modernized while improving quality and strengthening human resources through recruitment, training, and professional development.

Last but not least, leadership structures within the newsroom must be consolidated to maintain unity, collective strength, and effective implementation of assigned missions.

The Minister expressed his confidence that, with its 80-year tradition, clear roadmap, and collective determination, the Industry and Trade Newspaper will continue to develop, deserving the trust of the Party, the Ministry’s leadership, and readers nationwide.

For its outstanding contributions, the newspaper was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Honoring legacy, inspiring a new generation

Former Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Huu Quy reviewed key milestones and praised the current editorial team for their commitment to innovation. He thanked Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and relevant departments for their strong support, enabling the newspaper to maintain its position as a core communication channel for the sector.

Speaking on behalf of younger journalists, reporter Le Minh Trang expressed pride and emotion at witnessing such a historic moment. She emphasized that the 80-year legacy is both a source of inspiration and a reminder of responsibility. In a rapidly changing media landscape, she said, young journalists must strengthen political integrity, continuously improve their professional skills, master new technologies, and uphold journalistic ethics to maintain readers’ trust.

Honoring partners and awarding the contest

Throughout its development, the Industry and Trade Newspaper has enjoyed strong support from the business community. To acknowledge these contributions, commemorative medals were presented to enterprises that have accompanied the newspaper’s growth.

The award ceremony of the online contest on the 80-year history of the Industry and Trade sector was a highlight of the event. Hosted on the newspaper’s digital platform, the contest attracted nearly 16,000 participants nationwide, including civil servants, employees, students, and readers.

Organizers noted that the contest had broad impact, strengthening pride in the sector’s history and raising awareness of its contributions to national development. After 12 months, the contest awarded 5 first prizes, 10 second prizes, 15 third prizes, and 10 collective prizes in the online rounds. The final stage recognized one Special Prize, one First Prize, two Second Prizes, three Third Prizes, and five collective prizes.

Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Van Chau, Rector of Electric Power University, emphasized that learning about the sector’s history is both a tribute to the past and a way to inspire pride and responsibility among today’s youth. He highlighted the role of such initiatives in promoting innovation in education, research, and technology transfer, contributing to high-quality human resources for the energy and industry sectors, and supporting Vietnam’s broader industrialization and modernization efforts.

The 80th anniversary of the Industry and Trade Newspaper was both a celebration of past achievements and a reaffirmation of its future mission. With the trust of the Party, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, enterprises, and readers, the newspaper pledged to continue leading in economic journalism, reflecting the country’s industrial and trade development, shaping public opinion, and contributing to Vietnam’s path toward prosperity.

On October 2, 1945, Nguyen Manh Ha, Minister of National Economy and a member of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, signed Decree No.08-BKT/VP on the organization and operation of the Ministry of National Economy. Under this decree, the Economic Bulletin Office was tasked with publishing the Vietnam Economic Bulletin, the predecessor of today’s Industry and Trade Newspaper.

At that time, the Vietnam Economic Bulletin served as an important information and communication platform, encouraging production and supporting the young revolutionary government. Over the decades, through various stages of development and under different names that reflected changes in the state management apparatus for industry and trade, the Industry and Trade Newspaper has grown into the official mouthpiece of the MoIT. It is now one of the leading economic newspapers in Vietnam’s media landscape.

For 80 years, through different historical periods and under different names, the Industry and Trade Newspaper has consistently advanced alongside the country and the industry it represents. Its development has been built on the dedication, efforts, and intellect of generations of leaders, staff, journalists, and editors.