Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News holds particularly important role and mission

"I believe that, with its proud tradition being inherited and promoted, and with a team full of aspiration and dedication, Viernam Agriculture and Nature News (VAN News) will uphold its historical mission, harness its strengths to enter a new era, and become a strong media agency — a driving force for the development of the agriculture and environment sectors”, Mr. Tien said.

Holding a particularly important role and mission

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien underscored the critical importance of merging Vietnam Agriculture News and Resources Newspaper to form Agriculture and Nature News. According to him, the merger was the result of the Politburo and the Central Party Executive Committee's meticulous discussions, and it was consistent with the overarching objective of merging the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The merger of the two ministries, as per Deputy Minister Tien, would enable them to complement each other in a variety of disciplines, thereby removing previous overlaps and procedural barriers, thereby unlocking potential and promoting the advantages of both sectors. Simultaneously, the integration of the two newspapers would facilitate the alignment of communication efforts with the responsibilities and obligations of the new Ministry, thereby broadening the scope and influence of media initiatives.

He recognized that VAN News would accumulate additional obligations in the future. Nevertheless, he expressed great confidence that the new entity would effectively fulfill its responsibilities in information dissemination, communication, and other areas assigned by the Ministry, given the 80-year historical foundation of Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, which was initially named "Tấc Đất" by President Ho Chi Minh in 1945, and the 20-year tradition of Environment and Resources Newspaper.

The newspaper's primary objective, according to Deputy Minister Tien, was to capture the essence of life and activities in the agricultural and environmental sectors. In order to foster development momentum and stimulate growth, particularly in export-oriented areas, it is imperative that it actively promotes effective practices and good models, while also providing forthright critiques and constructive feedback.

He observed that the agriculture and environment sector had been responsible for attaining a 4% growth rate this year, a difficult objective due to a variety of subjective and objective factors. The merger of the two ministries was proceeding rapidly under the Party's directive; however, it was unavoidably fraught with complications. Additionally, he noted that the agriculture sector had rarely achieved a 4% growth rate in previous terms; for instance, in 2024, growth was only 3.27%.

Deputy Minister Tien underscored the pressing necessity for concentrated and intensive communication initiatives in light of these obstacles. VAN News must immediately engage in order to contribute to the sector's ambitious 4% development target following the merger. The distribution and coordination of information and communication campaigns must be uniform across all sectors, such as agricultural production, forestry, livestock, fisheries, land, resources, minerals, environment, and related social issues.

He emphasized the critical function and mission of communication in light of these contrasting trends of target growth. Without proactive media activities around commodities facing difficulties, like rice and durian, there was a risk that key export sectors could experience a decline in value, jeopardizing the sector’s overall growth goals.

The reality demanded VAN News closely follow the sector's developments, provide diverse and timely information, and reflect the vibrant pulse of everyday life with the highest sense of responsibility. Deputy Minister Tien expressed his confidence that VAN News would effectively complete its responsibilities and become more robust in the new era, a time when Vietnam is striving to establish itself on a global scale, despite the obstacles it faces.

Doubled strength

Reflecting on the past, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien recognized that both VAN News and Resources Newspaper had made steady strides, establishing their distinct brands and strong positions within the national media landscape.

He recalled being particularly impressed with several investigative series published by Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, notably their coverage of anti-smuggling efforts at border areas. These articles not only demonstrated a determined stance but also facilitated close cooperation with law enforcement agencies, leading to the prosecution of 11 criminal cases. Similarly, he acknowledged that Environment and Resources Newspaper had produced impactful articles that captured the spirit of the sector and resonated strongly with the public.

Both newspapers, he noted, had received numerous prestigious journalism awards, various emulation titles, and commendations from central and local authorities. Therefore, he believed that the merger of these two newspapers would undoubtedly double their strength, enabling VAN News to fulfill even greater responsibilities in the future.

Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Tien emphasized that the newspaper's core task would be to effectively communicate the Party and State’s policies, mechanisms, and strategies for the development of agriculture and environment sectors. He cited examples such as strategies and action plans on livestock, veterinary services, crop production, fisheries, land management, minerals, environment, water security, and disaster prevention.

More importantly, he stressed the need for comprehensive reporting that would reflect the interrelation between agriculture, natural resources, and the environment within the broader framework of sustainable development. He warned that if environmental issues were not addressed thoroughly and promptly from the outset, the costs of remedying damages in the future could outweigh the economic gains from growth. Thus, in his view, both agriculture and environment should be given equal importance, as neither sector could afford to lag behind.

Beyond simply promoting production achievements, Deputy Minister Tien noted that the newspaper must also focus on communicating the need for environmentally responsible development and sustainable management of the nation's natural resources. He reminded that Vietnam was entering a critical phase marked by innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the pursuit of goals such as the circular economy, green economy, and digital transformation. In this context, he affirmed that the role of VAN News would be crucial.

He urged the newspaper to widely promote successful models and, at the same time, collaborate with the Ministry to provide timely feedback and advisory opinions on unresolved issues, bottlenecks, and gaps. Such reporting would enable authorities to promptly adjust policies and remove obstacles to development.

In essence, Deputy Minister Tien envisioned that each sub-sector within agriculture and environment would benefit from in-depth, comprehensive journalistic works that adopted an approach of "both promoting and correcting" in a transparent, objective, and responsible manner.

He firmly asserted that VAN News, in this new era, would serve as a strategic communication arm to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in achieving all assigned tasks, especially meeting the key targets set by the Government and the Prime Minister for the year 2025.

Human tradition is an invaluable asset for Agriculture and Nature News

Both Vietnam Agriculture News and Resources Newspaper have historically benefited from the close leadership and guidance of the Ministry and Party committees. This strong support helped them establish respectable positions within Vietnam’s media landscape, and the newly formed VAN News continues to enjoy this consistent attention from the Ministry, aiming toward sustainable and robust development.

Following the merger, the newspaper now boasts more than 200 staff members working across the country, alongside a modern infrastructure that supports multiple media formats — from print and online newspapers to television, radio, English-language sections, and social media platforms. This communication ecosystem is steadily gaining strength, providing a solid foundation for future growth.

Looking ahead, building a resilient, technologically adept workforce is considered a critical priority. Reporters and editors are encouraged to continuously sharpen their professional ethics and journalistic skills, ensuring comprehensive and insightful coverage of issues across the agriculture and environment sectors. VAN News is envisioned as a platform not merely for information but for offering practical solutions to challenges faced by the industry.

Attention to the well-being — both material and spiritual — of staff members is equally important. Creating a supportive and motivating environment is essential so that journalists can dedicate themselves fully to their profession, producing outstanding works that capture the pulse of modern life. Regardless of circumstances, the newspaper is expected to uphold integrity, intellect, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility towards society and citizens.

Support from the Ministry remains a continuous commitment. The role of VAN News is recognized as a key communication engine for sectoral growth, reflecting the Ministry's broader strategy for sustainable development.

Among the newspaper’s greatest assets are its deep-rooted traditions and human capital. With a proud legacy inherited from its predecessors, a capable management team, modern facilities, and unwavering support from the Ministry and readers, VAN News is well-positioned to continue evolving. Values will be realized through the collective intelligence, resilience, and solidarity of its team of more than 200 individuals.

Solidarity is emphasized as the decisive factor for overcoming challenges. True strength, it was noted, comes from unity and consensus grounded in democratic centralism. Alongside this, fostering a culture of regular criticism and self-criticism is seen as vital for self-improvement, adaptation, and innovation.

Tasked with direct oversight of the newspaper, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien expressed both pride and a deep sense of responsibility. His commitment is to create the space and conditions needed for VAN News to make even greater contributions to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sectors.

Discussing the broader landscape, the Deputy Minister pointed out that the sectors now operate under four national planning frameworks and comprehensive sustainable development strategies. The recent merger of the two ministries was designed to overcome past limitations, maximize potential, and create new growth momentum.

In this context, the companionship of the media is seen as more crucial than ever. Communication efforts are not merely supportive but a driving force for the Ministry and the sector.

Moving forward, media agencies are encouraged to closely align their reporting with the sector’s strategic orientations and development plans. The Ministry remains open to providing information, responding to feedback, and fostering close cooperation with journalists.

Importantly, reporting should not stop at surface-level coverage. Journalists are urged to dig deeper, to assess whether programs, strategies, and initiatives are progressing as planned, where obstacles may exist, and what corrective actions are needed. By doing so, media outlets can not only reflect but also actively contribute to the sector’s journey toward sustainable growth.