Former Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen: VAN News will be stronger, sharper, closer to people

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Tac Dat - the production mobilization newspaper of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1945 and the predecessor of today’s VAN News, former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen shared his expectations for the newspaper as it enters a new chapter.

The greatest source of pride for VAN News (formerly Tac Dat) is that it was born from the heart of the revolution. In 1945, President Ho Chi Minh personally named the newspaper Tac Dat and wrote the article "Gửi nông gia Việt Nam" (To Vietnamese Farmers) for its very first issue. This was a tremendous honor, not only for the agriculture and environment sectors but for the entire Vietnamese revolutionary press.

Throughout multiple reorganizations of the Ministry and several changes in the newspaper’s name, one guiding principle has remained unchanged: journalism must serve farmers, natural resources and the environment, and the sustainable development of the nation.

Before the merger, each newspaper had its own strengths. VAN News had extensive publishing experience, a broad network, and a large circulation. Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper offered scientific depth and high professional quality, attracting the close attention of leaders and experts by covering critical issues such as land, minerals, and the environment. The merger of these two into the VAN News is therefore an opportunity to combine their strengths, professional depth and a wide readership.

In this new phase, I believe the newspaper will become stronger, sharper, and closer to the people. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is a multidisciplinary institution, which means journalism must serve as a “hotline” connecting policy with real life.

The newspaper must not only accurately and effectively convey the guidelines and policies of the Party, the State, and the Ministry, but also honestly reflect the thoughts, aspirations, and concerns of citizens and businesses. Striking a balance between these two missions is the true measure of the newsroom’s capability in the current context.

In today’s environment of multidimensional information across all platforms, traditional journalism must maintain harmony between the voice of policy and the voice of the people. As society develops and information becomes more diverse, people view issues with greater scrutiny and democratic awareness. Therefore, journalism must not only report but also interpret and “translate” policies so that the public can understand them fully and correctly. In addition, sectoral journalism must strengthen its analytical capacity and scientific rigor, especially in areas related to land, environment, minerals, and climate change that are always complex and sensitive.

On the 80th anniversary of the VAN News, I hope the newspaper will continue to uphold the spirit of being “close to the people, understanding the people, and standing with the people.” Journalism is only strong when it captures the pulse of real life and conveys the voice of the people to leaders at all levels.

I also hope the newsroom will keep innovating, investing in its digital platform, and developing a modern multimedia journalism model. In the past, I once directed the development of a comprehensive plan for an electronic newspaper; unfortunately, I could not see it implemented before my retirement. But I firmly believe today’s generation will do it far better.

Lastly, I wish VAN News at the age of 80, to become “younger, stronger, and more modern,” faithfully honoring President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching: "The guidance of Tac Dat is as precious as gold."

Tac Dat Newspaper was established by the Government on 4 December 1945, making it one of the first newspapers founded shortly after the nation regained independence.

On 7 December 1945, Tac Dat published its first issue, which proudly featured an introductory article and mission statement written by President Ho Chi Minh.

On 1 March 2025, VAN News was established through the merger of the Viet Nam Agriculture Newspaper and the Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper. The founding date of Tac Dat (4 December 1945) has been designated as the Traditional Day of the VAN News.