In the digital era, where people’s news consumption habits change daily, the Government Portal has evolved beyond its traditional “official gazette” role to become the most influential official channel on social media. It not only delivers policies, directives, and executive messages from the Government to citizens but also serves as a two-way bridge, reflecting social concerns and aspirations back to leadership.

The Government Information fanpage now boasts over 8.4 million followers, with an average of 20 million daily visits, and even up to 100 million views within 24 hours during peak events. This demonstrates the powerful reach and credibility of official information.

Nguyen Hong Sam, General Director of the Government Portal and Editor-in-Chief of the Government Electronic Newspaper, shared with VietnamNet about the communication philosophy and guiding principles: maintaining public trust through standards, integrity, and disseminating only information that is truly practical and useful for people’s lives.

Adapting to a new communication landscape

“Times have changed. Everyone owns a smartphone and can be a content creator. If we stick to outdated propaganda, the public will turn away,” said Mr. Sam.

According to him, the value of information is central, but the delivery methods must be diverse, multi-platform, and aligned with digital technology. Journalism and communication must go where the public is, including social networks and cross-border platforms, to ensure information is delivered quickly, accurately, and accessibly.

“Our principle is clear: every message must provide genuine value, helping citizens make decisions about education, jobs, investment, or daily livelihood,” he emphasized.

Social media has also brought efficiency. Instead of requiring thousands of staff and hundreds of billions of dong in costs, the Government Portal team, with a small workforce and minimal infrastructure expense, reaches tens of millions of people daily.

A two-way communication bridge

Unlike entertainment or showbiz-driven channels, the Government Portal’s value lies in being a reliable two-way information hub.

One direction is top-down, delivering laws, new policies, and directives of the Government and Prime Minister to the public in the fastest and clearest way.

The other is bottom-up, gathering the voices, grievances, and aspirations of citizens and businesses to reflect back to authorities.

“This ensures continuous, uninterrupted information flow between Government – political system – citizens – enterprises. Only with honest, timely information can governance be effective and trust reinforced,” Mr. Sam noted.

Through digital transformation, the gap between State and citizens has narrowed dramatically. Today, even a 90-year-old villager can send a petition directly to the Prime Minister via a text message or call. “When people in remote areas can be heard, that is a huge success of the Government Portal,” he said.

Numbers that reflect trust

Currently, around 800 domestic media outlets regularly use the Government Portal as a trusted source. Major international news agencies also rely on it for reporting on Vietnam.

On social media, the fanpage has become a key channel in shaping public opinion. Daily, it records around 20 million visits, with historic peaks such as 104 million views on September 2, 2025 and 48.8 million views on April 30, 2025.

But such reach comes with heavy responsibility. “Trust is fragile: hard to build, easy to lose, almost impossible to rebuild. Just one mistake could drive millions away,” Mr. Sam said, stressing that every post represents not only the portal but also the credibility of the Party and Government.

Consistency and principles

The guiding rule is that social networks are merely distribution tools. Content always originates from official Government sources, with clear citations and accountability. “We do not post incorrect information to delete later. Even a small mistake could undermine years of credibility,” he said.

An example was when false rumors spread about the National Credit Information Center (CIC). While public anxiety grew, the Government Portal quickly confirmed that the system was secure and deposits were safe. That immediate reassurance helped banks calm customers and prevented escalation.

“This shows that policy communication is not just about reporting but also about gatekeeping information to prevent risks. In the digital age, fake news spreads faster than truth. If we are one step late, crisis is inevitable,” he emphasized.

Listening, engaging, and amplifying voices

The Government Portal also innovates in public consultation. For example, when the draft Land Law revision was published, the portal received over 8,000 contributions, including detailed 40-page submissions from legal experts. Recently, consultation on amendments to the 2013 Constitution attracted more than 50,000 inputs.

Even with everyday issues, impact is clear. When the Government announced a symbolic 100,000 VND ($4 USD) support for every citizen, the fanpage drew 73 million interactions in just three hours. “It wasn’t about the money, but about the message of care and trust that resonated with the people,” Mr. Sam explained.

People at the heart of success

Mr. Sam concluded that the real foundation of success is not technology or slogans, but people: “Without a dedicated, responsible, and ethical team, no policy would succeed. Conversely, even imperfect policies can succeed if implemented with professionalism and responsibility.”

His team lives by the motto: “Awake with the nation, rise with the Government” – working nearly 24/7, ensuring that every piece of news strengthens responsiveness and trust. “The greatest reward for us is the trust and engagement of millions of citizens,” he said.

Tu Giang & Lan Anh