On March 17, 2026, the Secretariat issued Directive No. 04-CT/TW on strengthening the Party's leadership over publishing activities in the new situation. The Directive sets out the requirement to strongly innovate awareness, leadership methods, management and organization of publishing activities; ensuring the correct political and ideological orientation, while adapting to digital transformation, market changes and the increasingly diverse needs of the public to receive knowledge.
Currently, in the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, there are 9 publishing houses directly under socio-political organizations and mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State. In the past time, implementing the policy of arranging the organizational structure, Party committees of managing agencies and Party committees of publishing houses have focused on arranging the internal organizational structure and promoting the implementation to ensure the completion of assigned political tasks.
Maintain stable operations, step by step affirm identity and strengths
After a year of implementing the policy of arranging the organizational structure, from July 1, 2025 to now, publishing houses have basically maintained stable operations, without interrupting editing, publishing and distribution work. Units have reviewed functions and tasks, rearranged staff, adjusted organizational structure and management methods; amended and supplemented working regulations, professional procedures, strengthened discipline, order and applied information technology in management and administration.
In the process of arrangement, publishing houses continue to closely follow the principles, purposes and political tasks of the managing agency; organize the publication of many publications to propagate the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws; serving cadres, party members, union members, association members and people.
The results show that publishers continue to promote their professional strengths and gradually create their own mark. Kim Dong Publishing House maintains a large scale with 3,647 book titles, about 17.4 million printed copies, developing new brands, promoting digital transformation and having 8 publications winning the VIII National Book Award. Hong Duc Publishing House promotes its strengths in legal books, being completely financially autonomous; in the first 6 months of 2026, it issued decisions to publish 850 publications, printed about 1.275 million copies. Labor Publishing House focuses on workers, trade unions, labor and social security; Writers' Association Publishing House on literature, theory, criticism; Fine Arts Publishing House on fine arts, heritage and visual arts; Stage Publishing House on performing arts and traditional culture; Knowledge Publishing House on science, social sciences and humanities; Dan Tri Publishing House on education promotion, learning society, electronic books and audiobooks.
The above results show that publishers in the Party Committee have a wide scope of operation, covering many important areas of political, cultural, scientific and social life; contributing to propaganda, political and ideological education, dissemination of laws, development of reading culture and improving people's knowledge.
Digital transformation is concerned but not synchronized
Along with maintaining traditional publishing activities, publishers have gradually innovated their distribution methods, combining direct distribution systems with websites, social networks, e-commerce platforms and online channels. Book fairs, book days, seminars, and author-work exchanges are given more attention, contributing to promoting publications and expanding reader access.
Some units have deployed digitization of management, editing, and publishing processes; application of nghiệp vụ management software, electronic records, digital signatures and internal management platforms. Kim Dong Publishing House established the Digital Transformation Project Management Board; Dan Tri Publishing House develops e-books and audiobooks; Theatre Publishing House builds an e-publishing roadmap.
However, the level of digital transformation still varies between units. Most have only focused on digitizing some nghiệp vụ (professional/business) stages or expanding distribution channels, and have not yet formed a complete digital publishing process from manuscript management, author data, copyright, editing, production to reader demand analysis.
Digital technology infrastructure, databases, investment resources and human resources in some units are still limited. Electronic books, audiobooks and digital content business models have not developed commensurate with their potential. This requires digital transformation to be seen as a process of overall innovation of management, production, distribution and public interaction models, instead of just converting printed books to electronic format.
Bottlenecks that need to be frankly acknowledged
Besides the achieved results, the operation of publishers still has some limitations that need to be overcome soon.
First, the organizational structure in some units is not really stable; the team of editors is still lacking in quantity, not uniform in qualifications, experience, political bravery and capacity to meet the requirements of digital transformation.
Second, the autonomy capacity, operating scale and competitiveness between publishers are still very different; some units have not built their own identity, lack long-term development strategies and key book lines with theoretical value, summarizing practice, and meeting well the requirements of political tasks.
Third, digital transformation and publishing activities are still weak links. Technology infrastructure, databases and digital publishing products are not developed synchronously; the publishing network is still dependent on intermediaries, while the situation of fake books, pirated books and copyright infringement is still complicated.
Fourth, the work of content management, editing, appraisal and process control in some units is still lacking. The occurrence of publications with serious content violations that must be criminally handled is a profound lesson, requiring further improvement of the responsibility of the managing agency, Party committees, heads and publishing staff.
Fifth, a coordination mechanism between publishers in the Party Committee has not been built; a mechanism for data sharing, resources, experts and distribution coordination has not been formed, reducing the overall strength of the entire system.
Solving the right relationship between political orientation and autonomy
One of the issues currently raised is harmonizing the relationship between political tasks and the demand for autonomy of publishers. Publications are special commodities; therefore, along with ensuring economic efficiency, publishers belonging to socio-political organizations and mass organizations must put political tasks, social responsibility and serving the people first.
Performing political tasks does not mean a rigid and unattractive approach. Published publications with ideological value need to be professionally invested in terms of content, form and transmission methods to enhance spread. At the same time, the State and managing agencies need to have a mechanism for ordering, assigning tasks and ensuring funding for publications serving public interests, and cannot only assign tasks without resources to implement them.
For publications proposed by individuals or associates, no matter who guarantees the funding, political, legal and professional standards must still be maintained. The funding source only determines the investment mechanism, not the publishing standards or replaces the responsibility for appraisal, editing and publishing decisions of the publisher.
Along with that, it is necessary to emphasize the responsibility of the Party Committee and the head. The Party Committee must comprehensively lead publishing activities; the head is ultimately responsible for the content, process and quality of publications. It is not possible to take the responsibility of authors, associates or subordinates to replace or reduce the responsibility of publishers.
Reality shows that the innovation of publishing activities must start from strengthening the leadership of Party committees and managing agencies, enhancing the responsibility of heads, building identity for each publisher, promoting digital transformation and strengthening coordination between units. On that basis, gradually forming a unified, modern publishing ecosystem with firm political bravery, high expertise and sufficient capacity to spread knowledge and good cultural values, meeting the requirements of national development in the new period.
Building the publishing ecosystem of the Front and mass organizations
To create fundamental changes, it is necessary to move beyond the thinking that each publisher operates individually, towards building a common publishing ecosystem in the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front and central organizations. This ecosystem does not lose the identity and autonomy of each unit, but creates a mechanism for linking, sharing resources and promoting comprehensive strength.
First of all, it is necessary to establish a regular coordination mechanism between the 9 publishers in exchanging information, orienting topics, sharing management experiences, warning of risks and supporting the appraisal of complex manuscripts. At the same time, build a network of shared experts, editors and collaborators, especially in the fields of political theory, law, history, culture, science and technology.
Along with that, it is necessary to build a common database on authors, experts, manuscripts, copyrights and related partners; coordinate in compiling large sets of books bearing the imprint of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations on national unity, Party building, protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, culture, people of Vietnam and people's movements.
At the same time, research and build a platform for distribution, communication and shared reader data, connecting printed books, e-books, audiobooks and digital libraries. This will be an important platform to reduce investment costs, expand markets, improve operational efficiency and the spillover effect of the entire publishing system.
Major solutions in the coming time
Faced with new requirements, publishing activities in the Party Committee need to focus on synchronously implementing a number of major groups of solutions.
First, strengthen the leadership of the Party Committee over publishing activities.
Party committees, Party organizations and managing agencies must fully recognize that publishing is an important part of ideological and cultural work, not simply business activities. Focus on thoroughly grasping and strictly implementing Directive No. 04-CT/TW, dated March 17, 2026 of the Secretariat on strengthening Party leadership over publishing activities in the new situation and regulations of the Central Government on publishing work.
It is necessary to include publishing activities in the work program, annual inspection and supervision plans; periodically listen to reports on topic plans, important publications, linkage work and emerging risks.
It is necessary to clearly define responsibilities between Party committees, managing agencies, publishing house leaders, editors-in-chief and specialized departments; not to let the situation occur where when there are violations, responsibility is divided or only focuses on handling the person directly editing.
Second, clearly define the identity and development strategy of each publisher.
Each publishing house needs to review its principles, purposes, service objects and professional strengths to build medium and long-term development strategies.
It is necessary to clearly answer which publishing house represents which voice, serves which public group, has what different advantages and will contribute what value to society. On that basis, focus on building a number of key book lines, avoiding spreading out and chasing short-term topics.
Third, complete the process of editing, appraisal and risk management
Publishers need to standardize the entire process from receiving manuscripts, signing contracts, editing, criticism, appraisal, reading and approval, publishing decisions, printing, depositing for backup to distribution and communication.
For sensitive topics, there must be a multi-layered appraisal mechanism, taking opinions from independent experts or seeking opinions from competent authorities. Do not let an individual decide the entire process for high-risk drafts.
It is necessary to build a set of risk identification criteria and a list of topic groups that need special attention; ensure that each stage has a dossier, basis and specific responsible person.
Fourth, strictly manage publishing linkage activities
Linkage is a necessary method to mobilize social resources, but publishers must play the role of subjects.
Partners must be selected based on capacity, prestige and history of legal compliance, not just based on financial capacity. The publisher must directly control the topic, manuscript, edit, read and approve and decide on publication; absolutely do not outsource content to partners.
Fifth, build a team of publishing officials with bravery, qualifications and professional ethics.
Editors must truly be gatekeepers in politics, culture, law and intellectual quality.
It is necessary to organize regular training on political theory, publishing law, professional ethics, appraisal skills, copyright, digital media, data and artificial intelligence.
At the same time, there must be a mechanism to attract experts, scientists, theorists and good professionals; protect editors who are brave and dare to refuse substandard manuscripts even when under pressure from revenue or relationships.
Sixth, promote responsible digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence
It is necessary to invest in building technology infrastructure, databases, digital management processes; developing e-books, audiobooks, multimedia publishing and digital knowledge products.
Artificial intelligence can support error checking, data comparison, duplicate recognition, manuscript management and reader demand analysis, but cannot replace human responsibility in assessing political views, science, cultural values and social impacts.
Each unit needs to have internal regulations on the use of artificial intelligence, data protection, copyright, content confidentiality and the responsibilities of users.
Seventh, innovate publishing and develop reading culture
Publishers must research the needs of each public group; effectively combine traditional distribution with e-commerce, social networks, digital libraries and content platforms.
It is necessary to promote the large organizational system of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Trade Unions, Youth Unions, Farmers' Associations, Women's Unions, Veterans Associations, mass associations, schools, libraries and cultural institutions to bring books to union members, association members and people.
Book launch activities must be considered as part of the publishing and communication process, with appropriate content, components, messages and control mechanisms; not allowing communication events to generate issues beyond the content that has been thẩm định.
Eighth, strengthen inspection, supervision and proactively handle crises.
It is necessary to organize regular inspections, specialized inspections and unscheduled inspections for high-risk areas, especially publishing links, copyright, sensitive topics and distribution in the digital environment.
Each publishing house must have an incident response process, clearly identify the focal point for reporting, speaking, recalling and handling communications. When violations occur, they must be handled promptly, strictly, and objectively; and at the same time, review loopholes in the entire system to prevent recurrence.
Ninth, form a common coordination mechanism throughout the Party Committee.
The Party Committee of the Fatherland Front and central mass organizations need to study and develop programs or projects to develop publishing activities throughout the Party Committee; organize periodic meetings between managing agencies and publishers; build mechanisms to share information, warn of risks, provide professional support and coordinate the implementation of major book sets.
The goal is not to administrativize publishing activities or unify publishers, but to promote the identity of each unit, while gathering common resources, gradually forming a publishing ecosystem with political bravery, high professional quality, modern management and sustainable competitiveness.
Innovation to better fulfill the mission of serving the People
The country is entering a new stage of development with increasingly high requirements for knowledge, culture, science, technology, innovation and human resource quality. In that context, the role of publishing is not reduced but becomes more important. The development of social networks, cross-border platforms and artificial intelligence makes information produced and spread at an unprecedented speed. But the more information, the more society needs reliable, verified, responsiblely edited knowledge sources and oriented by correct values.
Publishing houses in the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front and central organizations have a special advantage of being directly associated with classes, classes, genders, intellectuals, artists and social communities. If they promote that advantage well, publishing houses will not only be a place to produce books, but can also become centers for gathering knowledge, summarizing practice, spreading values and spreading the voice of the people.
Innovation in publishing activities is therefore not only a requirement to implement Directive No. 04-CT/TW, but also a direct task to contribute to building the Party, consolidating social consensus, developing Vietnamese culture and people, and strengthening the great national unity.
Maintaining political orientation must go hand in hand with improving professional quality. Strengthening control must be associated with encouraging creativity. Promoting responsibility must also remove difficulties in mechanisms and resources. Strictly handling violations, but the highest goal is still to build a healthy, professional, humane and modern publishing industry.
From the requirement to ensure political orientation to building a knowledge ecosystem to serve national development, publishers in the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front and central organizations need to proactively innovate thinking, management methods and operating models; promote their own identity, and at the same time strengthen coordination to create common strength.
That is the path for publishing activities to better fulfill the mission of spreading knowledge, fostering trust, spreading good values, bringing the Party's guidelines, policies, and laws of the State to the people and bringing the voice, wisdom, and legitimate aspirations of the People to the Party, State and the whole society. /.
(Article title set by Lao Dong Newspaper)
