An old habit persists
At 7 am at a newspaper stand on Hang Trong Street, 83-year-old Phan Quang Thinh from Hang Non Street slowly browses through his familiar dailies such as Tuoi Tre (Youth), Thanh Nien (Youth), Tien Phong (Vanguard), and Nhan Dan (People), among others. Turning each page with care, he shares: “I am passionate about reading international affairs, government policies, and national defence and security news. Reading the paper is not just about staying informed, it is a way of life. Some retirees like me, who are still interested in current events, continue to have a love and passion for print newspapers.”
For Thinh, certain papers like Thoi Nay (Present Times) and Nhan Dan Weekend publications often feature excellent special issues on information technology and semiconductors, which are sometimes so engaging that he “buys several copies.” He always keeps old papers to archive or give to friends with similar interests.
Not far away, on Dinh Liet Street, Long (65) chuckles when asked about printed newspapers: “Everyone reads the news online now. But for those of us who lived through the subsidy era, reading the paper is still part of daily life. It is a way to follow current affairs, but also a way of conversing with life”. According to Long, printed newspapers, especially those like Nhan Dan — the central organ of the Communist Party, still play an important role thanks to their authoritative nature. However, he believes retaining readership requires more in-depth analysis and fresh perspectives.
At a sidewalk tea shop on Hang Bong Street, Tran Van Bang (62) says while halfway through a newspaper: “I have been reading the print newspapers since I was still working. Now that I am retired, it is a habit I have kept. I feel something is missing if I don’t read the paper each day.” His favourite sections are politics, society, and human-interest features. Still, he doesn't reject online news: “I read quick updates on VnExpress, VietnamNet… It's convenient and comes with clear videos and photos. But reading print still feels more ‘real’ — the rustle of the pages, the smell of ink, the clear layout without disruptive ads.”
Nguyen Thi Hong (58), who lives on Ly Quoc Su Street, keeps up with the news online daily but confesses: “It’s convenient, sure, but online news is often full of ads, and it ruins the reading experience!” For her, printed newspapersare easy to read, well-designed, and would likely attract more middle-aged women unfamiliar with technology if they used larger print and included fewer advertisements.
Print newspapers accompany the people
Several newspaper vendors in Ha Noi’s Old Quarter say that while the number of buyers has dwindled, many streets still see middle-aged and elderly readers stop by each morning, especially on weekends. Newspapers like Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) and Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) still have loyal readerships. “Most of our customers are regulars, looking for articles with a timely pulse that online news doesn’t offer,” one vendor noted.
From another perspective, some argue that in a world where updates arrive by the second, printed newspapers cannot compete in terms of speed. However, print journalism offers something else: depth. Editorials, policy analyses, long-form reportage, and cultural features — these are the lifeblood of print journalism, and not easily replicated by social media or rapid-fire news platforms.
Nguyen Cao (77), from Bach Khoa Ward in Hai Ba Trung District, shares: “I still trust papers like Nhan Dan, Thanh Nien, Quan Doi Nhan Dan… because their information is accurate and objective. But news changes so quickly these days that if you don’t follow online, you’ll fall behind. The key is for print to dig deeper — to help people understand the core of issues, not just repeat the headlines.”
From these small stories, it is clear that innovation does not mean rushing to chase after technology, but understanding your readers, improving content quality, and presenting it in a friendlier format. As Anh Tuan (70) suggested, combining print newspapers with digital platforms is the way forward,retaining traditional readers while reaching a younger audience.
The rustling of newspaper pages each morning, eyes carefully tracing each line, conversations over tea about current affairs.These are not outdated images but a living rhythm, still unfolding. With the right approach to renewal and quality, print newspapers can not only survive, but thrive in the hearts of today’s readers.
Additionally, for many elderly people whose eyesight has deteriorated, radio and television have gradually replaced the habit of reading the paper. Dung and Lan, both over seventy and living in Hai Ba Trung District, share: “We used to read Ha Noi Moi, Lao Dong (Labour), and Quan Doi Nhan Dan. But now that our eyesight is not so good, listening to the news is just more convenient.”
