New Opportunities, New Prospects

Exactly 63 years ago, on May 1, 1962, a significant milestone was marked with the publication of the first issue of Phu Tho Newspaper, officially joining the system of provincial Party Committee newspapers. Since then, the newspaper has continually grown and affirmed its role as a crucial and effective propaganda tool—a “bridge” connecting the Party Committee and the government with people of all ethnic groups in the Ancestral Land. These proud achievements, built over more than six decades, remain a solid foundation and a driving force for Phu Tho Newspaper to confidently embark on a new stage of development—one filled with new opportunities and prospects.

Provincial leaders visit the exhibition booth of Phu Tho Newspaper publications at the At Ty Spring Press Festival—2025.

As the birthplace of the Vietnamese nation, Phu Tho has a proud tradition of unity, resilience, and creativity. Its people have shown unwavering determination in defending the homeland, as well as diligence and innovation in labor and production. Since the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, people from all walks of life in Phu Tho have actively participated in revolutionary movements for freedom, democracy, and national independence.

In August 1945, uprisings to seize power erupted across all districts in the province, igniting a passionate revolutionary atmosphere among the masses. In response, the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee published a special issue titled Phu Tho Uprising, measuring 19x27cm, with 2,000 copies printed and distributed to President Ho Chi Minh, the government, central agencies, and local communes.

To meet the growing needs of leadership and public information, several publications followed: Tia Sang by the Provincial Party Committee, Truyen Tin by the Information Department, Song Lo by Zone 10’s Information Division, and Day Viet Bac by the Zone 10 Literature and Arts Agency. These publications, along with central documents, played a timely role in communicating Party policies to cadres, Party members, and people of all ethnic groups throughout the province.

From 1957 to 1961, as the North entered a phase of post-war restoration and socialist-oriented development, the publication Tin Phu Tho was launched. With clear ideological orientation and increasingly diverse content, Tin Phu Tho laid the foundation for the birth of a more professional provincial newspaper.

Recognizing the need for more diverse and multidimensional information, the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee decided to convert Tin Phu Tho into Phu Tho Newspaper on April 22, 1962. The first issue was released on International Labor Day, May 1, 1962. Printed in two colors on four 27x40cm pages, it marked the official birth of the provincial Party Committee’s press agency.

In February 1968, the provinces of Vinh Phu and Phu Tho merged to form Vinh Phu province, ushering in a new era of solidarity and transformation. On March 1, 1968, Vinh Phu Newspaper—the official newspaper of the Vinh Phu Provincial Party Committee—was launched. Initially published twice a week with 4,500–5,000 copies per issue, the newspaper served as a vital communication tool during the American war.

Despite harsh living conditions and limited equipment, reporters relocated to Huong Xa commune (Ha Hoa district) and worked tirelessly in battlefields, factories, and farmlands to gather stories of resilience and heroism. Their efforts contributed to the momentum behind the Great Spring Victory of 1975.

Following reunification, the party, government, and people of the province focused on post-war reconstruction with the spirit of “Everything for building socialism, everything for a prosperous and happy nation.” During this period, Vinh Phu Newspaper published articles highlighting economic recovery, cultural development, and improved living standards, creating a renewed spirit of competition and innovation across the province.

By August 1994, the paper increased its frequency to three issues per week and introduced the Vinh Phu Saturday edition, printed in four colors. This supplement focused on promoting party and state policies, updating on socio-economic and cultural developments, highlighting exemplary individuals, and tackling corruption and social issues.

In November 1996, following the National Assembly’s resolution to separate Vinh Phu into two provinces, Vinh Phu Newspaper swiftly prepared for the re-establishment of Phu Tho Newspaper and Vinh Phuc Newspaper.

On January 1, 1997, Phu Tho Newspaper resumed publication, continuing with three issues per week and a weekend edition. Overcoming initial challenges, the paper expanded its frequency—rising to five issues per week in May 2003 and to six issues per week by October 2007.

In response to the evolving media landscape and the need for real-time information, Phu Tho Newspaper launched its electronic version on January 1, 2005. This platform provided timely political updates and expanded to cover both domestic and international affairs. A revamped version was introduced on September 7, 2011, with a more user-friendly interface and increased content diversity.

In April 2017, Phu Tho Online Newspaper was officially established, offering content in both Vietnamese and English. The newspaper also invested in a recording studio and modern equipment to meet the growing demands of multimedia journalism.

In February 2012, the monthly Phu Tho Mountainous Region publication was launched, printing nearly 4,500 copies per issue. Designed for easy reading, the publication uses visuals and simplified language to effectively convey Party and State policies to ethnic minorities in remote areas.

To better serve public engagement, Phu Tho Newspaper launched its official Facebook fan page in 2018, sharing multidimensional, selective, and relevant content in accordance with the Press Law and state regulations.

Keeping pace with the digital era, in October 2021, Phu Tho Newspaper began producing daily news content on platforms such as podcasts and TikTok. These channels provide breaking news, cultural features, entertainment updates, and official party and state information to a broader audience.

Leaders of Phu Tho Newspaper and sponsors present “Tet to Every Home” gifts to disadvantaged families in Yen Lap district.

Over the past 63 years, Phu Tho Newspaper has proudly carried on the mission of earlier generations, consistently reflecting real-life developments with dynamism, creativity, and resilience. The newspaper plays a vital role as a “collective propagandist, collective agitator, and collective organizer,” encouraging Party members and citizens to implement Party and State guidelines across revolutionary periods. Its contributions have been instrumental in the national liberation struggle, socialist construction, and ongoing renewal for the goal of “wealthy people, strong nation, democracy, justice, and civilization.”

To meet the political communication tasks assigned by the Provincial Party Committee, Phu Tho Newspaper has continuously innovated and enhanced the quality of its content, presentation, and methods while strengthening the political nature of the Party newspaper.

Currently, the newspaper prints over 6,500 copies per daily issue; the weekend edition has nearly 5,000 copies per issue; and the Phu Tho Mountainous Region publication prints more than 4,500 copies monthly. The online edition is updated daily and receives around 30,000 visits per day. Its Facebook fan page has over 65,000 followers, and its TikTok channel has 21,000 followers, with some videos attracting nearly a million views. The newspaper ranks sixth among provincial press agencies in digital transformation.

In addition to fulfilling its editorial and political tasks, Phu Tho Newspaper staff actively participate in cultural and sporting events, charity work, and gratitude programs. The newspaper has collaborated with departments and enterprises to support disadvantaged families, eliminate poverty, and provide scholarships for underprivileged students. Each year, these social contributions amount to billions of VND.

For its outstanding contributions, Phu Tho Newspaper has been awarded numerous honors by the Party and State, including the Second- and Third-Class Independence Medals and the First-, Second-, and Third-Class Labor Orders. It has also received Certificates of Merit and Emulation Flags from the government and the Provincial People’s Committee. The newspaper’s party organization consistently ranks as excellent, and since 2005, the agency has been recognized as a provincial-level cultural organization.

Amidst the demands of digital journalism in a deeply integrated world, Phu Tho Newspaper is entering a new chapter—one of structural reform, expanded reach, and modernization. Its journalists are required to constantly innovate, adopt new mindsets, and improve professional capacity. They must master political guidelines, understand legal frameworks, embrace technological advances, and uphold the mission of being the official voice of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Phu Tho province—the voice of the Party Committee, government, and people of the Ancestral Land.

Xuan Chuong