On the morning of September 7, 2025, Party General Secretary To Lam attended a ceremony in Hanoi to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam Television’s (VTV) first broadcast, during which he presented the first-class Labor Order and outlined six priority tasks for the organization. 

Held at the Ho Guom Theater, the event also marked the official launch and broadcast of Vietnam Today, the national external television channel. The ceremony was attended by government leaders, representatives from various ministries and sectors, and international guests.

At the event, Pham Huy Giang, Head of the Central Committee for Emulation and Commendation, announced the State President’s decision to award the first-class labor medal to VTV. Representing the Party and State leadership, Party General Secretary To Lam personally presented the prestigious award to the organization.

In his address, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his delight in joining delegates and international friends to commemorate VTV’s 55-year milestone, receive the first-class labor medal, and launch Vietnam Today. He described the occasion as a significant milestone in VTV’s illustrious history, marked by numerous proud achievements from generations of its leaders, staff, and workers.

The General Secretary highlighted that over the past 55 years, VTV has evolved from modest technical beginnings into a leading national multimedia organization. 

Throughout its journey, VTV has steadfastly fulfilled its mission as a key communication agency, serving as a vital channel for promoting the Party’s policies and the State’s laws. It has played a crucial role in educating the public, enriching spiritual life, raising intellectual standards, and amplifying the people’s voice in the nation’s efforts to build, protect, and develop the country.

VTV’s programs and works have provided objective, multifaceted reflections of Vietnam’s political, economic, cultural, and social life. They have championed innovation, highlighted new developments, and combated corruption, waste, and negative practices. VTV has also fulfilled its role in oversight, social critique, and proposing improvements to institutions and policies.

Party General Secretary To Lam commended VTV with ten words: “For everyone, at all times, everywhere, sharp and captivating.” He elaborated that VTV’s content should reach all audiences, both domestic and international, regardless of background; be accessible at any time; and extend beyond Vietnam to the global stage. While VTV has already demonstrated sharpness and appeal, it must strive to become even more compelling and incisive.

He praised VTV’s workforce of journalists, editors, and broadcasters for their strong political resolve, professional expertise, and ethical integrity, as well as their commitment to social responsibility. 

VTV has begun mastering modern technology, serving as a bridge between the Party, the State, and the people, guiding public opinion, and fostering social consensus. These sustained contributions have earned VTV numerous prestigious awards from the Party and State.

As a leading national multimedia organization, VTV must continue to assert its role as a pillar in building trust and social unity, a task that demands significant determination and effort. To meet these expectations, General Secretary To Lam outlined six key tasks for VTV:

First, remain steadfast in pursuing the Party’s revolutionary goals, maintaining absolute loyalty to the nation and the people, and fulfilling its role as a pioneering national media agency on the ideological and cultural front.

Second, build a workforce of journalists, editors, and technicians with strong political conviction, professional expertise, technological proficiency, ethical integrity, and a deep commitment to public service.

Third, enhance content quality to enrich Vietnam’s cultural identity, accurately reflect societal dynamics, promote positive role models, and spread values that elevate human dignity, knowledge, and ethics. VTV should counter false and hostile narratives, guide public taste, and contribute to developing Vietnam’s cultural industry and value system in the new era.

Fourth, advance comprehensive digital transformation to develop a multi-platform media ecosystem, aiming to become a modern national digital media conglomerate. 

This includes adopting integrated, fully digitized operations, leading in high-quality, multilingual content production and distribution, and leveraging advanced technology to serve audiences domestically and globally, thereby safeguarding national information sovereignty and elevating Vietnam’s position in global media.

Fifth, foster unity and solidarity within the organization, upholding a spirit of responsibility, dedication, and decisive action to create collective strength.

Sixth, develop Vietnam Today into a modern, professional, and engaging international television channel with a distinct Vietnamese cultural identity.

Party General Secretary To Lam emphasized that while VTV has achieved a remarkable 55-year journey filled with proud milestones, greater efforts and bolder innovation are needed to shape a bright future for Vietnam’s television industry. These efforts will ensure VTV makes worthy contributions to the nation’s new era of development.