The 8^th national radio broadcasting festival opened in Ha Long City of the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh on August 18 with the participation of nearly 600 officials, reporters, editors and technicians of radio stations across the country.

The radio broadcasting industry, with a wide network of radio stations and public address systems across the country, plays an important role in forming and guiding public opinions to promote unity, defeat hostile forces’ insidious schemes, disseminate Party guidelines and State policies, increase people’s knowledge and accelerate the Doi Moi (Renewal) and industrialisation and modernisation process.

The jury panel said the rapid development of science and technology, particularly in the field of electronics and telecommunications, has provided a good chance for the radio broadcasting industry to grow by leaps and bounds in recent years. They selected more than 260 entries from more than 70 radio stations and public address systems for the final round. All these entries have rather high quality, and are well-produced and close to listeners. Many of them boast new types of presentation and creativity.

In his opening address, Le Dinh Dao, deputy general director of Radio the Voice of Vietnam and head of the organising board, said radio broadcasters at all levels should continue to renew and improve the quality of outputs to disseminate accurate, useful and educational information to meet the requirements of life.

“No matter what it is, the national radio or local radio station is the voice of Vietnam and people from all social strata. Therefore, we must truly and timely reflect people’s concerns and aspirations. The highest award for radio broadcasters is listeners’ trust and love for the voice of Vietnam,” said Mr Dao.

Nguyen Hong Quan, deputy chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee welcomed radio broadcasters to the World Heritage Site of Ha Long to honour works of high artistic and creative values. He expressed his hope that delegates will have the chance to explore Ha Long Bay which is being nominated as one of the seven new world wonders by the New Open World organisation.

VOV director general Vu Van Hien beat the drum to open the festival. Then came an impressive drum beating performance and ever-lasting songs of the Vietnamese music over the past decades.

Participating in the festival, a delegation from China’s Guangxi Radio presented a bouquet of flowers to the organising board. (VOV)