(VOVworld) – RadioAsia 2013 under the theme “Radio and social media - Where to next” opened in Hanoi on Monday. Hosted by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), the conference will tackle current pressing issues in multimedia development. VOV’s hosting of this event reflects its active and effective contributions to the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the opening ceremony

VOV has been a full member of ABU since its establishment in 1964. VOV has cooperated with ABU on a number of radio and television conferences, including the ABU General Assembly in 2005. VOV successfully tested HD Radio digital broadcasting and organized a number of training programs and seminars in Hanoi in 2009. VOV is a member of ABU’s Planning and Strategy Group. A senior ABU expert, Vijay Sadhu, said: “Voice of Vietnam has a very powerful background. It has a very long history and it has played a very vital role in the country for preserving the culture, for preserving the history, for educating and for entertaining the people. And VOV is growing stronger and stronger everyday. VOV is one of the most reliable media organizations in Vietnam.” 

Head of VOV’s International Cooperation Department Ngo Minh Hien said VOV has participated in all competitions and contests organized by ABU: “Many of VOV’s reporters have won top prizes and former Deputy Director Doan Viet Trung was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the development of digital TV broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region. A number of VOV leaders have also been honored by ABU for their technical initiatives. As host of this year’s RadioAsia, VOV will have the opportunity to demonstrate its important role in ABU.”

RadioAsia was first held by ABU in 2006 and it has been held annually since then. This year’s conference will discuss the advantages and difficulties radio will be facing in the years to come. Mr. Ngo Minh Hien said: “Held for the first time in Vietnam, the conference draws the participation of radio and television stations from all over Vietnam. It will give managers and reporters of VOV and other broadcasters a panoramic view of radio’s future and the challenges they will be facing. The conference will help Vietnamese broadcasters set their own development orientations to adapt to media trends.”

Vijay Sadhu said that by hosting RadioAsia 2013, VOV has affirmed its role in ABU and in the international arena: “For this conference, they have played a wonderful role. You can see they have done a great job in organizing it in helping us in inviting so many members around the country which will meet here for the RadioAsia and they can meet with the members of the other countries, broadcasters of the other countries, exchange ideas, which is very good for Vietnam.

Bui Hang