A special beginning
In 2024, Nhan Dan newspaper held two exhibitions at its headquarters, drawing large crowds and proving the success of a new media approach: combining journalism, technology and real-life experience space.
The first was an interactive panorama exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – 2024). Students, university attendees, and international tourists experienced the battlefield through digital devices, bringing a realistic and emotional feeling. The AR-integrated supplement, which allowed readers to scan QR codes to watch scenes of artillery being hauled or red flags waving over Hill A1, became a social media sensation. The Dien Bien Phu Campaign Panorama supplement later received recognition at the Print Innovation Awards in Vienna (Austria), establishing the newspaper as a pioneer in using technology to engage young audiences with history.
Following this, an interactive exhibition on the Hanoi Flag Tower was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation (October 10, 1954 – 2024). Mixed Reality technology was used to recreate ten milestones from the handover of the capital. The “Each Person, One Puzzle Piece” project invited readers to submit personal photos to form a collective mosaic of the Hanoi Flag Tower. The supplement included a cut-and-fold paper model of the Flag Tower and a QR code linking to extended content — both for decoration and to store information.
Social impact of a historical publication
At the interactive exhibition held on April 30 at 71 Hang Trong Street in Ha Noi, eleven large-scale photos of Nhan Dan front pages illustrated the journey from the Central Highlands Campaign to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. The exhibition area impresses with a model of a tank entering the Independence Palace and a field tent with 3D mapping technology used for the first to project campaign images. Notably, the supplement recreated key moments of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, including the iconic assault on the Independence Palace with vivid visuals and sound.
The enthusiasm sparked by the exhibition was evident in the long queues of young people waiting to receive the supplement and visit the exhibition. Nguyen Ngoc Linh from Thanh Tri District, Ha Noi, shared: “Because I live far away, I stayed over at a friend’s house the night before to queue early. I’ve found Nhan Dan’s exhibitions incredibly impressive and informative.” Many elderly attendees also waited patiently—Nguyen Thi Hien (80 years old, Ha Noi), a former youth volunteer, stood quietly for a long time and said, “Seeing the field tent reminds me of those long nights marching… I still feel proud. With today’s technology, a flat newspaper can now project images of tanks and militia advancing, so young people can finally visualise and understand how brutal the war really was.”
The supplement rapidly reached cities and provinces across Viet Nam including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Kon Tum, Dong Nai, Hai Phong, and Son La. Hundreds of copies were sent to Vietnamese communities in France. The Nhan Dan southern office reported that over 120,000 copies were distributed in Ho Chi Minh City alone. Many students jumped with joy when receiving a copy, as if they had “won a prize.” The public welcomed it warmly—from lottery ticket sellers requesting copies for their grandchildren to learn history, to war veterans wearing medals who came to the office asking for a copy because it was “so impressive and full of memories.” Some even asked for extra copies to send to family members in the US, or to keep as part of a personal archive.
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| 3D mapping technology was used for the first time to project historical campaign images. Photo: NAM ANH |
“I never expected the supplement to have such a strong impact. We initially planned to distribute it on the third floor of the office, but had to move downstairs because of the crowd. At one point, the line stretched over a kilometre — from the Pham Ngoc Thach – Nguyen Thi Minh Khai intersection to our front gate. Vo Thi Sau Street was packed on both sides. We handed them out all day, and we were happy doing it — because it meant our work was reaching the people in a meaningful way,” said Le Nam Tu, Head of Nhan Dan’s southern office. He noted that many readers are now eagerly awaiting a supplement for the upcoming National Day on September 2 to add to their collection.
In Son La, although the queues weren’t as long as in Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City, all 500 copies from the first batch were gone by noon. A further 1,000 copies were requested, and all 1,500 were quickly distributed. According to Luyen Ngoc Tuan, Head of Nhan Dan’s local office, the supplement was well received by officials, Party members, educators, the provincial journalists’ association, and local media. Many had friends reserve copies or queued early to secure one. “In particular, Lao students and officials studying in Son La were very excited. Some locations even projected the supplement for students to view together; others explored it on their phones and were amazed at how modern digital tools could be used in print journalism to tell history,” Tuan said.
In Da Nang, despite the supplement being released later than in Ha Noi, nearly 30,000 copies had already been distributed to readers. Hundreds were sent to schools, organisations, and associations. Many teachers incorporated it into their history lessons thanks to its vivid imagery and QR-linked extended content, which greatly engaged students. “We’ll continue distributing copies until May 11, and many universities, military units, border guards and police have already registered. Beyond its content value, the supplement sends a clear message: the Party’s newspaper continues to innovate, using technology to stay in step with its readers,” reported Nhan Dan journalist Nguyen Anh Dao in Da Nang.
Promoting value of history and its lessons for the future
Across the country, readers have proposed ideas for Nhan Dan Newspaper to continue innovating during upcoming national commemorations. Phan Vu Thuy Tien from Hai Chau, Da Nang, hoped future exhibitions could be taken on tour to smaller provinces and remote areas so that local students could also benefit. Cao Duong Tam Linh, an international news editor at YouTube channel BNC Now (FBNC), suggested using Yoolife technology to expand accessibility —allowing users to interact, explore exhibitions remotely, scan QR codes for documents, and enjoy immersive audio-visual experiences that particularly appeal to younger audiences. She added that integrating an AI-powered chatbot that could answer historical questions instantly would help students and enthusiasts access reliable information more easily.
There were also proposals to add multilingual content such as English and French to promote Vietnamese history globally; to consolidate historical data into a single app or website for easier access. Useful insights from users, from homeschooling tools to visual materials in schools, confirm the widespread value of technology-integrated journalism products. Information about the country’s history is gradually becoming more vivid, inspiring, and accompanying the pace of modern life.
Nine-year-old Phuc Minh (Thanh Cong A Primary School) excitedly said: “I saw tanks rolling in and bombs exploding — like a cartoon. It was really cool!” Tran Bich Ngoc (32 years old, Ha Noi) shared that she screened the supplement at home for her children: “The Nhan Dan supplement is not only a decorative item, it’s also educational—and we can revisit it any time,” she said.
