NTQ’s AI Experts Join Hands to Safeguard 400,000 Publications of Vietnam’s Press History

As Vietnam honors President Hồ Chí Minh’s lasting legacy and commemorates its scientific achievements this May, it is also a time to revisit the foundations that have shaped the nation’s identity, particularly in the context of today’s sweeping digital transformation. One powerful example lies in a remarkable private archive of over 400,000 newspapers and magazines, each preserving a vital piece of Vietnam’s historical and cultural journey.  

Recognizing the immense social value of this archive, NTQ has joined hands with record-holder Nguyễn Phi Dũng to bring the collection into the digital age. This collaboration reflects more than innovation — it represents a commitment to community, education, and cultural continuity, ensuring that Vietnam’s press legacy is not only preserved but also brought closer to future generations.

A National Archive in Print: The Unprecedented Collection

At the heart of this endeavor is Mr. Nguyễn Phi Dũng, a dedicated Vietnamese record-holder who has spent nearly a decade building what is now recognized as the largest private newspaper archive in the country. His extraordinary collection spans more than 23 tonnes of articles, covering periods from the 19th century to the present day—a feat unparalleled in scale and historical depth (Nhân Dân, 2024).

The archive contains rare and invaluable editions, including newspapers printed during the resistance wars, the early days of national independence, and critical moments of political and economic transformation. These are not just pieces of paper, they are tangible imprints of Vietnam’s collective memory. From bold headlines announcing national reunification to quiet stories chronicling shifts in daily life, each edition offers a window into the hopes, struggles, and spirit of the times.

More Than Information: A Cultural Legacy for Future Generations

In an interview, record holder Mr. Dũng shared “I’ve always believed that each newspaper is a witness to history, capturing the events and social context of its time with authenticity. That’s why I want to preserve them in the best possible way, so that future generations can access this valuable source of knowledge in its most complete form.”

To him, newspapers are more than just carriers of information. They are cultural witnesses — echoes of a time, a place, and a people. Through them, we hear the voice of a nation in struggle and triumph. They tell the story not just of politics and events, but of aspirations, fears, and hopes of entire generations. By preserving and sharing these materials, we keep the past alive and provide future generations a deeper understanding of their roots and the values that have shaped Vietnam through turbulent and triumphant times.

A Dream in the Making: Digitizing the Archive for All

Yet even such a vast and meaningful collection is vulnerable — to time, to decay, to the limitations of physical access. That’s why Mr. Dũng has set out to realize another dream: digitizing the entire archive. His motivation stems from a desire to make this national memory more accessible, especially for young people, researchers, and all those who may never touch a century-old newspaper but can discover its story with a few clicks.

Digitization is more than convenience. It is protection against loss, a way to preserve delicate materials, and a means to expand access to historical content far beyond a physical location. Once digitized, these materials can be indexed, searched, studied, and shared — sparking conversations, academic insights, and cultural appreciation on a much wider scale.

This mission goes beyond individual interest — it reflects a broader sense of social responsibility: making cultural knowledge available to the community, enriching education, and ensuring that the wisdom of the past continues to inform and inspire future generations.

The Partnership with NTQ: A Digital Path Forward

Turning vision into reality takes more than determination—it requires the right technology, precision, and scale. That’s where NTQ stepped in. Recognizing the cultural and social significance of the project, Mr. Dũng partnered with NTQ to begin digitizing the collection. 

After multiple on-site visits, the team concluded that this was an unprecedented undertaking in Vietnam. The digitization process had to meet three critical criteria: faithfully preserving the original newspaper dimensions during scanning, converting all content into searchable text, and ensuring secure, long-term digital storage (Nhân Dân, 2024). 

What made this project particularly challenging was the fragile condition of many old newspapers. Unlike many previous digitization projects that dealt with more stable documents, this initiative demanded a highly delicate and non-invasive solution. Merely digitizing was not enough — preserving the integrity of each page was essential.

To meet these goals, NTQ developed a custom software solution powered by AI. The system enhances and restores degraded pages through automatic color correction, noise reduction, and repair of torn or stained areas, preserving the original look and feel of each newspaper. The custom-built AI software intelligently detects page edges, crops unnecessary margins, and straightens images to ensure optimal readability.

More than just image enhancement, the system excels at Optical Character Recognition (OCR), accurately transcribing even faded or stylized fonts into searchable text. Auto-generated metadata—including headlines, topics, dates, and locations—makes navigating the archive intuitive and efficient. Users can instantly search keywords and jump directly to relevant pages, opening new doors for researchers, educators, and history enthusiasts.

Recognizing the sensitive nature of some historical content, the platform includes safeguards that automatically flag potentially sensitive or politically delicate materials for human review prior to public access. Accessibility is further enhanced with user-friendly interfaces and text-to-speech features, making this cultural treasure accessible to diverse audiences, including those with visual impairments.

To date, the team has successfully digitized a large number of newspapers—meticulously processed, indexed, and secured for long-term digital preservation.

Technology with Heart: A Legacy Preserved, A Future Inspired

What truly sets this project apart is the heartfelt dedication behind it. Mr. Nguyễn Phi Dũng’s painstaking care in preserving every newspaper, combined with NTQ’s commitment to meaningful technology, elevates this initiative beyond mere digitization—it becomes a living tribute to Vietnam’s resilience, identity, and collective memory.

This endeavor embodies the belief that technology is most powerful when it serves humanity—preserving cultural heritage, enriching education, and making knowledge inclusive and enduring. Through this partnership, NTQ is not just creating a digital archive, it is building a bridge that connects generations past and future.

By unlocking access to Vietnam’s press history, this project inspires curiosity, fosters understanding, and fuels creative expression—from academic research to film, theater, and digital arts. It ensures that the stories, struggles, and triumphs embedded in these newspapers continue to resonate, inform, and inspire for years to come.

Through this partnership, NTQ helps build a cultural bridge that connects past and present, making knowledge more inclusive, accessible, and enduring.

Reference:

Báo Nhân Dân (2024). Chuyện chưa kể về kho báo đồ sộ nhất Việt Nam. Nhân Dân Special Report. Retrieved from: https://special.nhandan.vn/kho-suu-tam-bao-chi-ky-luc-Vietnam/index.html