ActionAid Sweden enhances partnership with visit to Kinh Te & Do Thi Newspaper

THE HANOI TIMES — For Jennifer Vidmo, stepping into a Vietnamese newsroom for the first time was more than a professional visit, it was a window into how stories can give voice to the unspeakable.

The ActionAid Sweden's Country Director shared this reflection during a working visit to the Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban) Newspaper on March 25. Her delegation's meeting with Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Thanh Loi was not just an exchange, but a celebration of five years of cooperation rooted in a shared belief: journalism can change lives.

In his welcome address, Loi reflected on the 26-year journey of Economic & Urban Newspaper, offering a tribute to the Hanoi People's Committee. From its origins as a print publication, the newspaper has evolved into a dynamic "multi-outlet media ecosystem," now comprising six specialized microsites and a range of online platforms.

He emphasized the role of the English-language Hanoitimes site as a key channel for fostering international engagement, underscoring its importance in the publication's global outreach.

The meeting focused on the "Silent Dedication" media program, a joint initiative of the newspaper, ActionAid International in Vietnam, and the Aid for Social Protection Foundation Vietnam (AFV). Launched in 2020, the program has consistently focused on amplifying the voices of women workers, children, and disadvantaged groups who are often left out of public discourse.

"The most powerful stories are those that carry the weight of quiet struggles," said Loi. "Through this program, we've not only reported on issues, but also helped shape the public conversation on social protection and inclusion."

In four years, the program has received more than 1,000 submissions from professional and amateur contributors across the country. It has also served as a training ground for journalism students from the Academy of Journalism and Communication, who have been mentored in the production of socially engaged multimedia content.

Loi revealed that the 2025 edition will launch with a roundtable discussion at the academy, followed by field trips to industrial zones and underserved communities. These visits are designed to provide journalists with first-hand insights into the lives of workers, enabling them to produce more in-depth, solutions-oriented reporting.

Vidmo expressed her appreciation for the program and the opportunity to understand how Vietnamese media work with civil society to address social challenges. She described the visit as "an inspiring experience" that gave her a better understanding of Vietnam's press landscape.

"The learning goes both ways," she added. "We gained valuable insights into how our partners are using journalism as a tool for change."

The editor-in-chief thanked ActionAid and AFV for their continued support. "With each passing year, our collaboration grows stronger, not only in scope, but in content," he said, adding, "We are proud of the in-depth series this program has inspired, and we look forward to pushing the boundaries even further in the next phase."

Before the working session, the Swedish delegation toured the newsroom and met with editorial staff. The visit gave them an opportunity to better understand the functioning of a Vietnamese media organization and explore future areas of cooperation.

ActionAid and Economic & Urban Newspaper have partnered since 2020 to raise public awareness on social protection, gender equality and sustainable development. The collaboration has generated thousands of media stories and communication activities across Vietnam. In 2024, both sides agreed to extend the partnership until 2028.