Exhibition space at Việt Nam Press Museum showcasing artefacts from Vietnamese journalism from 1925 through 1945. VNS Photos Đoàn Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Located within the Việt Nam Journalists Association headquarters on Dương Đình Nghệ Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội, the Việt Nam Press Museum is more than a repository of journalistic artefacts — it is a testament to the country’s historical, social, and political evolution, told through the lens of journalism.

The museum was born from a deep desire to honour and preserve the rich legacy of Vietnamese journalism. The Việt Nam Journalists Association initiated the proposal, and on July 28, 2017, the Prime Minister officially approved the establishment of the Việt Nam Press Museum. It opened to the public on June 19, 2020, with a permanent exhibition space.

To date, the museum has collected more than 20,000 artefacts and documents. Among them, over 700 rare and historically significant items have been researched, verified, and curated for display. The museum’s exhibition is arranged into five chronological sections spanning from 1865 to the present, reflecting the evolving role of journalism through key historical periods, including colonial rule, revolutionary movements, wartime reporting, and the era of national reunification and reform.

Covering nearly 1,500 square metres, the museum uses a blend of traditional and modern display methods, combining physical exhibits with digital enhancements. Items are showcased through visual panels, archival material, original and restored artefacts in cases, rotating columns, and interactive installations. Broadcasting and digital technology, including audio-visual and digitised content, help bring these stories to life for a wide audience.

One of the museum’s standout features is its digital research room and touchscreen kiosks scattered throughout the space, allowing visitors to explore documents, images, and historical data on demand.

Among its most striking exhibits are original copies of early Vietnamese newspapers such as Gia Định Báo, Nam Phong, and Đông Pháp Thời Báo. One display includes a historic leaflet by revolutionary leader Nguyễn Ái Quốc (later President Hồ Chí Minh), promoting the Việt Nam Hồn newspaper in Paris in 1923.

Other poignant displays include a journalist’s bullet-riddled hammock and backpack from the Trường Sơn wartime press corps, displayed beside a June 20, 1972 edition of Trường Sơn newspaper, which featured illustrations of troops heading to the front.

The museum also reconstructs the darkroom once used by Vietnam Pictorial photojournalists. Wartime images and stories of combat photographers are featured here, including award-winning works from the Pulitzer Prize.

“We may have opened later than other museums, and faced many challenges in collecting and preserving material,” said journalist Trần Kim Hoa, Director of the Việt Nam Press Museum. “But we’ve strived to showcase the most authentic stories — especially personal mementoes of veteran journalists. We’ve been fortunate to receive tremendous support and precious donations from many senior members of the press.”

In its mission to preserve the past and inspire future generations, the Việt Nam Press Museum stands as a dynamic space of memory, learning, and national pride — a place where journalists' role in shaping the Vietnamese nation is honoured and kept alive. — VNS

Artefacts from the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

A press badge issued to journalist Lộng Chương of Công Dân newspaper for journalistic activities from 1946 to 1948.

The very first edition of Nhân Dân Newspaper, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Việt Nam

The camera used by journalist Đinh Phong of Giải Phóng newspaper at the D Resistance Zone.

Videocamera used by correspondent Nguyễn Trưng at V Military Zone, 1969.

An edition of the resistance Chiến Khu newspaper is now on display at the Việt Nam Press Museum.

Camera and microphone used by reporters of Đà Lạt Radio before 1975.

Camera hacoflex used by Photographer Trần Văn Lưu in Việt Bắc from 1946-1954.

A typewriter in the same model used by President Hồ Chí Minh for work and writing articles in the resistance zone.

Press badges issued to journalists of Cứu Quốc newspaper for journalistic activities from 1946 to 1948.

A woodcut portrait of President Hồ Chí Minh used to print in newspapers at Việt Bắc resistance base 1950.

The Vietnam News Agency’s external news bulletin dated September 15, 1945.

An exhibition at the museum.

Visitors at the museum.

The exhibition "The first TV broadcast of Việt Nam".