Voice of Viet Nam’s Commitment to Tackle Climate Change

The year 1906 marked a crucial moment in global communications when the first voice and music signals were transmitted over the radio. Since then, radio has become a powerful medium – a heritage of sound and a timeless channel for delivering trusted information, enhancing diverse voices, and addressing global challenges.  

This year, recongnising the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and the vulnerability of remote communities in addressing unpredictable weather patterns, UNESCO has chosen “Radio and Climate Change” as the theme for World Radio Day. Through educational programmes, early warning, and broad accessibility, radio has become the key player in responding to and preventing the impacts of climate change worldwide. 

Voice of Viet Nam (VOV)’s contribution to climate crisis response  

Established in 1945, the Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) has partnered with about 60 international organisations to exchange information and share global news in order to provide to Vietnamese audience with comprehensive knowledge. and diverse perspectives, especially on climate change and environmental issues which remain at the forefront of global discussions.  

To celebrate World Radio Day on 13 February and amplify the voice of radio in climate change action, VOV organised a talk show featuring in-depth discussions with environmental experts, journalists, and climate policymakers. The talk covered the current state of climate change in Viet Nam, effective ways to communicate climate issues in an accessible and engaging manner, and the plan of VOV in developing climate-related programmes.  

The discussions during the talk show underscored the urgent need for accurate and accessible climate communication in Viet Nam where climate threats have increased over time. In 2024, Super Typhoon Yagi hardly hit the country, causing serious destruction, and threatening the lives of millions from the North to the Central region. During these difficult times, with widespread power outages and Internet disruptions, affected communities could rely on the radio through Viet Nam Television. Nguyen Viet Dung, Director, of the Natural Resources and Environment Communication Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment emphasized the radio’s role, stating “By providing reliable information on the projected storm path, responding promptly to emergency evacuations, and bridging distances to ensure no one was left behind, the Voice of Viet Nam played a crucial role in raising public awareness, connecting people, and countering misinformation.” 

According to Pham Manh Hung – Deputy General Director of VOV, working on the Climate change topic presents more opportunities than challenges, given the strong commitment of the Vietnamese government to achieving its Net-Zero target by 2050. In addition, Viet Nam is located in a region affected severely by climate change and rising sea levels with increasingly visible consequences in recent years. As a result, this topic has become a national priority. Along with print and digital media, VOV will continue to provide coverage and thematic discussions on climate change to keep its audience informed and engaged. Besides, in the era of social media, fake news, and misleading information, radio remains a reliable medium with trusted sources based on facts and studies.  

How to effectively tell your climate story and reach a wider audience?  

During the talk show, experts and journalists explored various approaches to making climate change-related information more accessible and relevant to the public. Jo Lauder, a reporter at ABC Australia shared her experience in developing stories on climate change in Australia. By focusing on a specific person and their everyday life through a climate lens, she and her colleagues uncover valuable pieces of climate change that resonate with the audience through authenticity, transformation, and powerful personal storytelling.  

Regarding collaboration with international organisations operating in Viet Nam, Daniel Herrmann, CTA of the IKI Interface project, GIZ Viet Nam appreciated the VOV’s dedication to working closely with national and international partners to provide timely updates on climate and biodiversity. He also suggested that future cooperation could focus more on specific topics and formats such as interviews, stories, and expert insights. In particular, the upcoming 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), in Brazil presents a potential opportunity for VOV to cover climate policies in depth. 

VOV’s path forward in climate action   

Pham Manh Hung – Deputy General Director of VOV also shared with the audience during the talk show that VOV has developed several climate-focused programmes, including a dedicated channel on environment and climate change, a coastal traffic channel for coastal communities. Moving forward, VOV aims to serve the Vietnamese audience more comprehensively making Viet Nam’s radio more inclusive and meaningful for people across the country.  

To listen to the talk show, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/vov1.vn/videos/1379194776572546/