An article by Mr. Đinh Hồng Kỳ published in Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn on June 29, 2026.
Some farewells do not mark the end of a journey; they simply make that journey even more vivid in our memories.
I still remember the early days when the concept of an “entrepreneur” had yet to earn the recognition it enjoys today. Running a business back then was both an aspiration and a challenge. Entrepreneurs were often viewed with hesitation, even skepticism. Against that backdrop, Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn played a vital role: it helped restore entrepreneurs’ confidence and reaffirm their place in society.
The newspaper did more than report on businesses—it listened to entrepreneurs. It listened to those who stayed awake at night worrying about cash flow. It listened to those caught between difficult choices: protecting their employees or preserving profits. It listened to the aspirations of people determined to build factories, expand production, and bring Vietnamese products to the global market. It also listened to their failures, setbacks, and the loneliness that only business owners truly understand.
For me personally, Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn has been a platform where I have shared my thoughts on business, public policy, sustainable development, and the future of Ho Chi Minh City. Some of those articles were more than personal opinions—they reflected my sense of civic responsibility as an entrepreneur.
Over the years, Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn consistently created a space where entrepreneurs could speak honestly, where business challenges were not dismissed as the concerns of a single group but recognized as an integral part of the nation’s economic health, and where the spirit of “what benefits businesses also benefits the country” was preserved and promoted.
I deeply appreciate the newspaper’s contribution to shaping the image of Vietnamese entrepreneurs during the country’s era of renewal, while standing alongside the business community through networking activities, policy advocacy, and social development initiatives.
Therefore, when we say “25 years—A Journey That Lives On,” I believe what endures is not merely the printed editions, the published articles, or the events that were organized. What truly endures is the spirit of companionship.
Companionship, in its deepest sense, is not simply standing beside businesses when everything is going well. It means being present during difficult times—when companies struggle, when market confidence weakens, and when entrepreneurs need a fair and principled voice. Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn fulfilled that role time and again. That is why I believe the newspaper is not coming to an end, but rather embarking on the beginning of a new era.
We are entering an age in which artificial intelligence can generate news stories within seconds, social media can create waves of public opinion within minutes, and information spreads faster than our ability to verify it. In such a world, information is no longer the scarcest resource. Truth is.
AI may transform journalism, but it cannot replace the integrity, responsibility, and lived experience of genuine journalists. Technology can accelerate the delivery of information, but trust can only be built by people.
Perhaps that is why I remain optimistic about the future of the media. I simply believe journalism must redefine its role. Rather than competing on speed, it will compete on depth. Rather than merely reporting the news, it will become a trusted source for verification, thoughtful analysis, and meaningful public dialogue.
Never before has the business community needed forums for dialogue, independent voices, and trustworthy storytellers as much as it does today. A city aspiring to become a regional economic hub needs more than taller buildings or wider roads. It also needs a mature media ecosystem capable of nurturing trust, spreading knowledge, and connecting people who share the same aspirations for development.
A newspaper may cease publication, but its mission can continue.
I think of the reporters and editors of Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn—those who quietly covered countless events, meetings, and business stories. Their names may not always have appeared prominently, but they were the ones who preserved the memories of an entire generation of entrepreneurs in Saigon. They documented countless stories of perseverance that no statistic could ever fully capture: integrity, resilience, dedication, and the determination to move forward.
To me, that is part of a lasting legacy.
When the magazine publishes its final issue, many people will undoubtedly feel a sense of loss. I do too. But I do not see this as the end. Instead, I see it as a reminder that meaningful values endure only when someone is willing to carry them forward.
Today’s entrepreneurs cannot simply wait for the media to tell their stories. We must also take the initiative to share our experiences, engage in constructive dialogue, contribute our perspectives, and promote positive values. Every entrepreneur should become an honest storyteller for their industry—sharing real challenges, real lessons, and real aspirations.
My heartfelt thanks to Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn for standing alongside the business community of Ho Chi Minh City. My sincere gratitude to the journalists who quietly and steadfastly kept this flame alive—not a loud flame, but one that brought warmth and inspiration.
Thank you for giving us, the business community, a place where we could be heard, where we could share our thoughts, and where we could believe that the path we had chosen truly mattered.
The final issue may close on paper, but its journey will continue in the hearts of everyone who has ever read it, written for it, drawn inspiration from it, and grown together with this remarkable newspaper.
*(Chairman of Secoin; Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Construction and Building Materials Association (SACA); Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association; Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association.)
Link to the original article published in Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn: https://htv.vn/doanhnhansaigon/to-bao-lang-nghe-doanh-nhan-337529.html
