In 2025, following restructuring and streamlining under Resolution No. 18/NQ-TW, the total number of press agencies nationwide stood at 778 units (as of November 2025). A total of 204 press agencies completed training and guidance programmes on measuring digital transformation maturity.
Of these, 162 units carried out the assessment, specifically: the central newspaper group: 29 units; the local newspaper group: 26 units (15 press agencies participated in both the radio and television group); the central and local magazine group: 34 units; the scientific magazine group: 55 units; and the radio and television group: 33 units.
According to statistics, the highest participation rate in the 2025 digital transformation maturity assessment was recorded in the radio and television group (86.84%), while the lowest participation rate was seen in the central and local magazine group (10.3%).
The results show that 33 units achieved an Excellent rating (up 8.71% compared with 2024); 57 units achieved a Good rating; 31 units achieved a Fair rating; 9 units achieved an Average rating (down 3.87% compared with 2024); and 47 units were rated Weak (down 12.09% compared with 2024).
Nhan Dan Newspaper ranked third among the Top 10 central-level press agencies achieving an Excellent level of digital transformation. The other nine units are: VnExpress, Lao Dong, VTC News Online, VietnamPlus Online, Quan doi nhan dan, Tien Phong, Tin tuc va Dan toc, Dai bieu nhan dan, and Xay dung.
Journalism digital transformation aims to build press agencies in a professional, human-centred, and modern direction; to fulfil the mission of information dissemination in service of the Party’s revolutionary cause and the country’s renewal; to ensure the leading and guiding role in shaping public opinion; to safeguard information sovereignty in cyberspace; to innovate and improve reader experience; to create new revenue streams; and to promote the development of the digital content industry.
Implementing journalism digital transformation means being ready to accept challenges, experiment with new approaches, and face potential difficulties in competing in cyberspace, in order to deliver high-quality, accurate, objective, and authentic content to readers, viewers, and listeners. Journalism digital transformation can begin with small steps, but the guiding mindset must be one of comprehensive and holistic innovation.
On April 6, 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 348/QD-TTg approving the Strategy on “Journalism Digital Transformation to 2025, with a vision to 2030”. This marked a meaningful milestone, laying an important foundation for guiding the development of press agencies in the digital transformation process.
On October 6, 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3560/QD-BVHTTDL (replacing Decision No. 1827/QD-BTTTT dated October 24, 2024, previously issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications) promulgating the Index Set for assessing and measuring the digital transformation maturity of the press. This serves as a benchmark for substantive, objective, and fair evaluation of the annual digital transformation results of press agencies during the implementation of the journalism digital transformation strategy to 2025, with a vision to 2030 nationwide.
The Index Set for assessing and measuring journalism digital transformation maturity is used to monitor and evaluate the annual digital transformation status of press agencies; compare and rank levels of digital transformation among agencies; compare performance across years to identify strengths to be promoted and weaknesses to be addressed; and provide information to support press agencies and relevant bodies in implementing appropriate digital transformation solutions to achieve the objectives set out in the journalism digital transformation strategy to 2025, with a vision to 2030.
The maximum total assessment score is 100 points, with the maximum scores for each pillar as follows: Strategy: 18 points; Digital infrastructure, digital platforms and information security: 24 points; Organisational and professional alignment: 20 points; Readers, viewers, and listeners: 23 points; and Level of digital technology application: 15 points.
The digital transformation maturity of press agencies is determined based on the total score achieved across the five pillars and is classified into five levels: Level 1: below 50 points – Weak; Level 2: from 50 to under 60 points – Average; Level 3: from 60 to under 75 points – Fair; Level 4: from 75 to under 90 points – Good; and Level 5: 90 points or above – Excellent.
