Hanoi:Vietnamese print media outlets are experiencing a decline in readership, a trend observed globally. Despite this, they remain committed to their fundamental responsibilities by expanding their online presence to uphold their status as reliable mainstream media.
According to Thai News Agency, Le Trong Minh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnam Investment Review (VIR), discussed these developments during a meeting in Hanoi with a delegation from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA). The delegation was led by TJA President N. Rinee Ruangnoo and National Press Council of Thailand Chairman Chavarong Limpattamapanee.
Minh highlighted that a government restructuring in 2025, which merged several ministries and public agencies, led to the consolidation of media entities within these jurisdictions. The VIR group currently operates multiple publications in both Vietnamese and English, focusing on investment, finance, stock markets, and government procurement. They also produce special editions for significant national events, acting as a vital conduit of information between the government, the business sector, and investors.
Despite being under the Ministry of Finance, the media group is self-funded, relying primarily on advertising revenue from private businesses, including Thai multinational corporations like SCG and ThaiBev. These companies are eager to engage with Vietnamese government agencies and consumers.
To counteract the global decline in print readership, VIR has developed online platforms and formed dedicated social media teams. The focus is on improving news quality to deliver precise information on government policies, legislation, and economic trends.
Minh noted that Thai businesses are significant foreign investors in Vietnam, while Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly investing in Thailand. Media organizations thus play a crucial role in sharing insights into regulatory and investment environments, fostering beneficial cross-border press cooperation for economic growth.