The Hanoi People's Committee on May 9 inaugurated the Capital Press Center at the Hanoi Center for Communications, Data and Digital Technology's facility located at No.17 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District.

The center features an open and flexible workspace designed to accommodate all forms of journalism – print, photography, television, and multimedia. Its modern technical infrastructure includes a high-speed transmission network, digital data storage, an information coordination hub, live broadcast studios, video conferencing facilities, and real-time electronic data boards.

The press center is equipped with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for entry monitoring, trend surveillance, social media analytics, fake news detection, and big data tools for measuring media reach and impact. This marks the first step toward building a smart, user-friendly media ecosystem in the capital.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh praised the initiative and highlighted the leadership of the Office of the People's Committee and the Hanoi Center for Media, Data, and Digital Technology for their proactive and innovative work in establishing and operating the center.

Though recently restructured, the center has already demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility, he said.

"Hanoi, as the political and administrative center of the nation and a major hub for culture, science, education, economics, and international exchange, hosts thousands of key events annually," Chairman Thanh said. "The capital is also home to hundreds of press agencies, both domestic and international."

To ensure faster, more accurate, and more transparent communication in the digital era, the city decided to build a modern, multi-functional press center that integrates digital technology into its operations, he said.

"This center will serve as a key hub for collecting, processing, and distributing information from city government agencies," he added. "It will also act as a bridge connecting the city's political system with the press, the public, and the business community."

Thanh emphasized that launching the center reflects the city's strong commitment to building a transparent, modern administration that better serves the people, businesses, and the press community – both domestic and international.

He also urged the press not only to report information but to engage in constructive dialogue, foster debate, and amplify positive values to accelerate innovation.

"The center will provide a modern environment and comprehensive support for domestic and international media, with state-of-the-art facilities," he said.

Promoting transparency and active media cooperation

Chairman Thanh stressed that the press center must be an open and inclusive platform where all voices are heard, data is interconnected, and information is shared transparently, accurately, and promptly.

He called on departments, agencies, and local governments to view communication as a key governance tool – one that requires active engagement, not avoidance. This includes proactively sharing information, conducting dialogues, and responding to media inquiries with the highest sense of responsibility.

The chairman urged the Hanoi Center for Media, Data, and Digital Technology, responsible for operating the new facility, to maintain professionalism and objectivity while continuously innovating to position the center as a trusted hub for truthful, impactful journalism.

Thanh also encouraged central and local press agencies to consider the Capital Press Center as their "second newsroom."

Nguyen Hong Sam, Director-General of the Government Portal, remarked that amid today's explosive growth of information technology, especially social media, the rapid spread of fake news has become a major challenge.

In this context, he said, the launch of a modern, large-scale press center in Hanoi plays an essential role in supporting journalists and ensuring accurate reporting.

"This center will serve as a shared space for press professionals from across the country and the world, offering fast, accurate access to official information and contributing to transparency and social orientation," Sam added.

Nguyen Kim Khiem, Director-General of Hanoi Radio and Television, said the center's opening was an inspiration to the city's journalists.

"From now on, reporters will have a new hub – a place to access verified information on the leadership's directives and activities, enabling better journalism in support of Hanoi's development."

He also thanked the city leadership for creating improved working conditions for the press and pledged full cooperation to help the center operate effectively and spread meaningful values to the wider community.

A legal framework for press collaboration

At the event, the Office of the Hanoi People's Committee announced new regulations for managing, operating, and utilizing the press center, providing a legal framework for organizing and coordinating media activities.

The regulations clearly define the responsibilities of the Office in managing the center, outline mechanisms for coordination with departments and local authorities, and establish processes for receiving and responding to media inquiries in a timely and legally compliant manner.

A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Office of the Hanoi People's Committee and the Government Portal to create a connected data-sharing mechanism that facilitates faster, more efficient access to official information for the press.

The Hanoi Center for Media, Data, and Digital Technology also signed cooperation agreements with press agencies in Hanoi to form a media collaboration network that leverages digital platforms for real-time information sharing and rapid response to emerging issues.

In his closing remarks, Do Dinh Son, Director of the Hanoi Center for Media, Data, and Digital Technology, said the trust placed in the center by city leaders and the press was both a great honor and a great responsibility.

He committed to operating the Capital Press Center based on the principles of professionalism, transparency, and effectiveness.

"We will work closely with the media and local agencies to ensure communication is seamless, continuous, and two-way," Son said. "At the same time, we will proactively advise the city leadership on communication strategies tailored to Hanoi's unique characteristics."

"We also look forward to ongoing collaboration and feedback from journalists, editors, and media professionals who have long upheld the flow of honest, humane, and responsible information for the development of the capital and the nation," he said.