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Since the nation's inception, the image of Vietnamese women has been deeply ingrained in the national consciousness as a symbol of resilience, indomitability, yet also gentleness and compassion. They are the keepers of the family flame, the silent heroes amidst life's upheavals, and the powerful warriors on the journey to fight for equality. Looking back at history, the press has been a pioneering force, nurturing and spreading the spirit of feminism, paving the way for significant changes in society.
On the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8th), Travellive had the opportunity to listen to the heartfelt sharing of Dr. Quách Thu Nguyệt - former Director of the Youth Publishing House, currently the Chairwoman of the Board of Management of the Hoa Sen Foundation, on the role of journalism in portraying and promoting the feminist movement.
Dr. Quach Thu Nguyet - Former Director of Tre Publishing House, currently Chairwoman of the Board of Management of Hoa Sen Foundation
Journalism - A guiding light for feminism in the early 20th century.
Looking back at old newspapers, one can see that the Vietnamese feminist movement not only originated from struggles in parliament or war zones, but was also sparked by the powerful words in the press. From the beginning of the 20th century, pioneering newspapers spoke out for women's equality, with contributions from many prominent journalists and scholars such as Phan Khoi, Nguyen Van Vinh, Tan Da, Phan Boi Chau...
"Even a newspaper that only discussed business like Nam Co Hoc Dan (1902) had an article calling on the French government to open schools for girls. This shows that, from a very early stage, the press recognized that education was the key to changing the status of women," shared Dr. Quach Thu Nguyet.
Sương Nguyệt Anh was the first female editor-in-chief in Vietnamese journalism, and she is considered one of the most talented female writers in Southern Vietnam.
But perhaps the most significant milestone was the emergence of newspapers specifically for women. A prime example is Nữ Giới Chung (1918), meaning "The Bell of Women"—a powerful message that Vietnamese women no longer wanted to be confined within four walls but wanted to reach out to society and assert their voices. The woman behind this newspaper was Ms. Sương Nguyệt Anh, daughter of the patriot Nguyễn Đình Chiểu. Although the newspaper only existed for a short time, it laid the foundation for the feminist movement in journalism.
The newspaper "Women's Magazine" was edited by Suong Nguyet Anh.
Continuing in that spirit, in 1929, the Women's Newspaper was founded with a powerful slogan:"Cosmetics adorn the land, revealing the true face of the women of Vietnam.""This was not just a newspaper, but also a forum for debate, where women could express their opinions, discuss politics and society, and even participate in charitable and educational activities. 'The newspaper not only encouraged women to participate in society, but also organized activities outside of the newspaper itself, such as establishing charity organizations, holding fairs, and launching a movement for female students to wear the traditional ao dai dress… This was a huge step forward at that time,' emphasized Dr. Quach Thu Nguyet."
According to researcher Nguyen Van Xuan: "The Women's Newspaper is the most successful magazine ever published in the South, a great achievement of the efforts of Southern intellectuals on the path to modernizing literature and journalism."
A prominent contribution of "Phụ nữ Tân văn" (New Women's Newspaper) to the field of literature was its encouragement and support of the "New Poetry" movement.
Ao Dai - A symbol of femininity and the transformation of Vietnamese women.
Besides the media, the image of Vietnamese women is also encapsulated in the details of the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). "Ten years ago, it was hard to imagine young people enthusiastically wearing the ao dai, but in recent years, I see it as a source of pride. It's an awakening of identity, of individual self-identification in society," shared Dr. Quach Thu Nguyet.
She emphasized that the revival of the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) is not just a fashion trend, but also reflects the need to rediscover traditional cultural values among the younger generation. "We see more and more female students choosing ao dai for important occasions, designers creating new ao dai styles, and on social media, the ao dai is appearing more frequently with special appreciation. This is proof of the inherent strength of Vietnamese culture."
The ao dai is not simply clothing, but a symbol of Vietnamese beauty, of softness yet pride, tradition yet modernity.
Modern journalism - Continuing the mission of the previous century.
Entering the 21st century, journalism is no longer just printed pages, but electronic news, social media posts, and countless inspirational videos. But regardless of the form, the mission of journalism remains unchanged: to continue being a bridge so that stories about women can be told as authentically as possible.
Dr. Quách Thu Nguyệt affirmed that the press has the responsibility to support and spread these stories to the public.
"We are witnessing more and more women venturing into fields previously considered 'male domain'. From journalists and writers to female entrepreneurs and politicians, they are writing new chapters in history. And the press has a duty to support and spread these stories to the public," affirmed Dr. Quach Thu Nguyet.
From the early 20th-century newspapers to modern journalism, the Vietnamese feminist movement has traveled a long and arduous but also incredibly glorious road. Looking back at history, we increasingly appreciate the pioneering women and sharp-witted writers who fought to create a more equal society. And in today's era, journalism will continue that mission, so that women's voices are heard more and more, and the image of Vietnamese women continues to shine in all aspects of life.
