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Throughout Vietnam’s reform and international integration process, HCMC has consistently served as the nation’s economic engine and largest center for commerce, finance, and innovation. Accompanying this development has been the enduring presence and contribution of Kinh tế Sài Gòn magazine (formerly Thời báo Kinh tế Sài Gòn), one of Vietnam’s most reputable economic media organizations.
Over more than 35 years of development since the publication of its first issue on January 4, 1991, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has evolved into a leading source of in-depth economic information, a valuable platform for academic discourse and policy debate, and a trusted companion to the business community, researchers, and policymakers in HCMC.
One of Kinh tế Sài Gòn’s most significant contributions lies in its pioneering role in Vietnam’s economic journalism during the reform era. Established at a time when Vietnam was transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, Kinh tế Sài Gòn was among the country’s first specialized economic publications. Beyond reporting market developments, the publication played an important role in introducing modern economic thinking and providing knowledge on business management, investment, finance, and international integration to what was then a nascent business community. In many ways, the development of the magazine has closely paralleled Vietnam’s economic transformation and remarkable national progress.
A key strength of Kinh tế Sài Gòn has been its commitment to providing in-depth, objective, and reliable economic information. At a time when digital platforms offer an overwhelming abundance of information—often accompanied by misinformation and disinformation—the role of a specialized and credible media organization has become increasingly important. Rather than pursuing sensational headlines or short-lived trends, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has maintained its focus on analytical reporting, expert commentary, in-depth interviews, and comprehensive research on macroeconomics, financial markets, real estate, trade, energy, digital transformation, sustainable development, green growth, and a wide range of socio-cultural issues. This sustained investment in content quality has earned the publication a high level of trust among business leaders, policymakers, and academic researchers.
Although Kinh tế Sài Gòn is not a research institute in the traditional sense, it serves as an important bridge between research and practice. Its thematic features, research dossiers, business surveys, and market analysis reports provide valuable data and perspectives for the academic community. Emerging issues such as the circular economy, green transition, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, the sharing economy, and digital transformation have often been covered at an early stage, helping disseminate new knowledge to businesses and society at large.
- For Ho Chi Minh City, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has become a “living archive” that chronicles the city’s socio-economic development in a comprehensive manner. Over the past several decades, the publication has continuously monitored and analyzed many of the city’s major issues, including administrative reform, the development of export processing zones and industrial parks, foreign direct investment attraction, the establishment of an international financial center, digital economy development, logistics, transportation infrastructure, the real estate market, urban competitiveness, and digital transformation. Its in-depth reporting has not only reflected reality but has also helped shape public understanding of the city’s development challenges and opportunities.
The publication has also served as an important connector between researchers, experts, and policymakers. Over the years, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has built an extensive network of contributors both within Vietnam and internationally, including economists, scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, and experienced public administrators. As a result, the publication does more than report news; it provides an open intellectual forum where ideas can be exchanged, debated, and translated into practical solutions for economic development.
Many articles published by Kinh tế Sài Gòn have become valuable reference materials for government agencies, city leaders, businesses, and researchers when formulating development strategies or evaluating policy effectiveness.
In particular, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has made meaningful contributions to public policy review and debate. Through its commentary sections, expert columns, and economic roundtables, the publication regularly examines the impacts of policies related to finance, monetary affairs, taxation, public investment, urban planning, and enterprise development. These policy critiques are presented in a constructive, evidence-based, and practical manner, providing policymakers with diverse perspectives before policies are introduced or adjusted.
Another noteworthy contribution of the magazine is its longstanding role as a trusted partner of the business community. Throughout the development of Vietnam’s private sector, the publication has consistently devoted significant attention to enterprises. Through its articles, forums, seminars, and networking initiatives, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has helped convey the voices of businesses to policymakers while enabling enterprises to access policy updates, market trends, and modern management practices. This role is particularly important as HCMC continues to foster an innovation-driven startup ecosystem and strengthen the competitiveness of its business sector.
- Kinh tế Sài Gòn magazine has also played an important role in promoting HCMC’s investment and business environment to audiences both at home and abroad. Through its highly regarded
English-language publications, including The Saigon Times and
Saigon Times Weekly, information on investment opportunities, business prospects, development policies, and the city’s economic potential has been communicated to the international business community. This has contributed to enhancing HCMC’s standing as a dynamic and deeply integrated economic hub in the region.
As journalism undergoes rapid digital transformation, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has been among the relatively few magazine publishers to adapt quickly to the new media environment. Evolving from a traditional print publication, it has developed a multi-platform ecosystem that includes online journalism, video content, podcasts, and other digital media products. This transformation has enabled its in-depth economic content to reach a broader audience, particularly younger entrepreneurs and professionals, while also expanding its international reach through its English-language publications.
Several years ago, Kinh tế Sài Gòn was among the pioneering Vietnamese media organizations experimenting with the sale of electronic editions (e-papers). Although the initiative could not yet be considered a fully successful business model, it demonstrated the Editorial Board’s foresight, agility in responding to digital transformation, and ability to identify emerging trends in the media industry.
- I began contributing to Thời báo Kinh tế Sài Gòn in the early 2000s through my former university lecturer, veteran journalist Tran Trong Thuc, who was then an editor at the publication. Most of my contributions were in the culture, society, and readers’ sections.
Through years of contributing, reading, and following the publication, I have come to regard the former Thời báo Kinh tế Sài Gòn and today’s Kinh tế Sài Gòn magazine as one of Vietnam’s most intellectually rich publications. Equally notable is its professionalism and rigor in every aspect of journalistic practice, from information gathering and verification to editing and publication.
The editorial board’s treatment of contributors has also been exemplary. For many years, I contributed to the magazine as an essentially unknown freelance writer, without any close personal relationship with members of its staff. Nevertheless, the editors consistently demonstrated professionalism and respect. Submitted articles were promptly acknowledged; if a piece was unsuitable, the author was informed; if revisions were needed, the editors would discuss them with the writer or request changes. When an article was accepted, contributors were informed of the issue in which it would appear. Once published, links or PDF copies were sent to the author. Honoraria were delivered with courteous letters of appreciation, and some contributors living in central districts even received complimentary print copies and payments in person.
It can be confidently stated that over the past three decades, Kinh tế Sài Gòn has been far more than a conventional economic publication. It has become an influential institution of knowledge contributing to the development of HCMC. The publication’s greatest achievements are the trust it has earned, its professionalism, and its steadfast commitment to accompanying Vietnam’s reform and development process.
In journalism, it has helped elevate the quality of economic information. In research and policy discourse, it has created a valuable forum for academic and policy exchange. For the city, it has served as an important information channel supporting economic development, assisting businesses, and promoting the image of a dynamic, innovative, and internationally integrated metropolis. Within the newsroom itself, the publication has established standards of professionalism worthy of emulation by any media organization.
Under HCMC’s press system restructuring plan, Kinh tế Sài Gòn is scheduled to suspend operations from July 1, 2026. For many readers, businesses, and economic researchers, this may create a sense of loss. One can only hope that the publication’s values and professionalism will find new expression elsewhere, ensuring that this distinctive and admirable legacy of journalism continues to endure.
(*) M.A., head of the Information, Press and Publishing Division, Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization
