The New York Times has officially re-established its bureau in Vietnam. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony in Hanoi where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted the paper its operating licence, signaling a broader recognition of Vietnam as a critical player in the region’s economic and political landscape.
At the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng outlined the importance of the bureau not only for journalistic purposes but for strengthening global understanding of Vietnam’s rapid development. She highlighted that the New York Times’ physical presence in the country will pave the way for more vivid, in-depth coverage of Vietnam’s ongoing transformation.
“The establishment of a bureau will facilitate The New York Times’ journalistic work in Vietnam and provide a vivid coverage of the country and the region,” Hằng noted.
Vietnam has long attracted global attention, but the re-opening of this bureau comes at a particularly significant juncture. Vietnam and the United States are poised to celebrate the first anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and three decades of diplomatic ties in 2025.
Damien Cave, the New York Times’ newly appointed bureau chief in Vietnam, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, noting the increasing prominence of Vietnam in international affairs. “Vietnam is gaining a higher and more important role in the international space,” Cave remarked. He added that the bureau’s mission would center on telling the story of a rapidly changing Vietnam, particularly in the context of its growing ties with the US more than half a century after the end of the war.
In a broader statement, The New York Times underscored its commitment to covering the rise of Asia as a key player on the global stage. “We are thrilled to announce that we are re-establishing a bureau in Vietnam, and that Damien Cave will take on the exciting mission of leading it,” the newspaper said. “The Times’s return to Vietnam is a sign of Asia’s rise as an important economic and political power center. It is also a testament to the International desk’s commitment to expanding global coverage and bolstering independent journalism worldwide.”
