Radio Overview
Radio is still one of the most popular entertainment devices, as well as crucial information sources in various aspects of human society
With the massive melioration of radio broadcasting and radio equipment, radio is still one of the most popular entertainment devices, as well as crucial information sources in various aspects of human society. In Vietnam, radio is favored by numerous audiences in different classes and ages, and it pushes this broadcasting service become more diverse and accessible in this country to fulfill the requirement of audiences.
There are two main types of radio broadcasting at present in Vietnam.
Official Radio
Generally, this is a radio program produced by an official radio station and broadcasted on a particular radio frequency. However, some official radio programs are also presented on the Internet, but parallel with frequency system. These official radio programs are responsible to perform various functions from propaganda, news reports to entertaining and educating to serve different types of audiences with different preferences and interest.
The fact that all official radio programs in Vietnam now are products of state-owned national or local stations because Vietnamese government does not currently permit private sector for this particular entertaining industry. Consequently, content of these programs are strictly examined by responsible department to ensure that it matches the general orientation of the government and is suitable to moral and cultural value of Vietnamese society. Nevertheless, operating under national or provincial budget causes these radios to be free and widely available for a considerable number of audiences in different geographical area and demographic statuses.
Unofficial Radio
This kind of radio program is a new type appeared as the rapid universalization of internet to people in Vietnam. It can be defined as a short audio clip or part-day radio program recorded by individuals or organization which is not an official radio station, and broadcasted online on the Internet. These radio programs are not strictly supervised by the authorities, but still have to obey regulation on content of radio broadcasting published by Vietnamese government.
RFC Online - one of hundred of Vietnam's radio online channels on the Internet
