The print media boom of the past decade has created an urgent need to increase the quality of print media in Viet Nam, both in content and form. Consequently in recent years the government has declared the training and retraining of journalists to be a priority area.

The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and several other international agencies have been active in developing programmes to raise standards of knowledge, proficiency, independence and professionalism in outlook amongst Vietnamese journalists by organising training courses in news writing, economic reporting, computer technical competence in design and layout and modern newspaper management techniques. However, given the size of the sector much remains to be done. There is also a need for upgraded technical equipment and supportive facilities for newspaper production in general and for journalists and editors in particular and for enhanced competency in foreign languages for journalists working in a globalised environment.