VTV9

VTV9 is a Vietnamese television channel operated by Vietnam Television (VTV), the country's national television broadcaster. The service is associated particularly with viewers in Southern Vietnam and is managed from VTV's television center in Ho Chi Minh City. Its programming combines news, current affairs, sports, entertainment, cultural content, and live coverage of significant national and regional events. Although its regional role remains central to its identity, VTV9 operates as a national channel and is distributed on multiple television platforms across Vietnam. The channel began broadcasting on 8 October 2007 as a regional service aimed primarily at Ho Chi Minh City, the Southeast region, and areas north of the Hau River. At launch, its schedule was not continuous, with programming divided between morning and evening periods. VTV9 initially reached viewers through cable, direct-to-home satellite television, and analog terrestrial transmission. From the outset, VTV positioned the service with an ambition extending beyond a purely local station, and VTV9 began nationwide broadcasting in September 2010 while retaining its regional programming orientation. A major operational change occurred on 11 July 2013, when VTV9 moved to a 24-hour schedule. High-definition broadcasting followed on 28 August 2015, and the channel transitioned to DVB-T2 digital terrestrial transmission on 29 September 2015. These changes strengthened its role within VTV's broader national distribution system and improved its technical reach and picture quality. On 1 January 2016, VTV9 was reorganized through a merger with VTV Can Tho 1 under Vietnam's national press-planning framework. The resulting service retained the VTV9 name and became a national channel intended to serve audiences throughout the southern part of the country. This reorganization broadened the channel's geographic remit while preserving its emphasis on Southern Vietnamese perspectives and locally relevant content. VTV9 is available through free-to-air satellite distribution on Vinasat-1, analog terrestrial infrastructure in parts of the Southeast, digital terrestrial networks where VTV provides coverage, and online television services. It is also carried by other pay-TV platforms, although access conditions may vary by provider. The channel transmits from the VTV center in Ho Chi Minh City to VTV's national headquarters in Hanoi and reaches viewers nationwide through different distribution systems. VTV9 also maintains a representative presence in Nha Trang, where its coverage overlaps with that of VTV8. The channel launched its website and YouTube channel on 1 May 2019, extending its presence beyond linear television. During the COVID-19 pandemic, VTV9 temporarily reduced its broadcast schedule from 24 hours to a daytime-and-evening schedule between 19 March and May 2020. Full-time broadcasting subsequently resumed. VTV9 therefore combines the institutional authority and national infrastructure of Vietnam Television with a clear regional editorial identity centered on Southern Vietnam.

VTV9 was established as a regional television channel of Vietnam Television and began broadcasting on 8 October 2007. Its initial audience consisted mainly of viewers in Ho Chi Minh City, the Southeast region, and areas north of the Hau River. The original service operated on a limited daily schedule and was distributed through cable, direct-to-home satellite, and analog terrestrial television. Although regional in its primary editorial orientation, VTV9 was designed to develop a broader national role. It began nationwide broadcasting on 13 September 2010. The service expanded its operating hours over time: it moved to a 24-hour schedule on 11 July 2013, introduced HD transmission on 28 August 2015, and adopted DVB-T2 digital terrestrial transmission on 29 September 2015. The most significant institutional change came on 1 January 2016, when VTV9 was merged with VTV Can Tho 1. The reorganization followed Vietnam's national press-planning policy and created the national VTV9 channel serving Southern audiences. The channel maintained a Southern editorial identity while acquiring a broader national distribution and remit. VTV9 later extended its presence to digital platforms, launching a website and YouTube channel on 1 May 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic it temporarily shortened its daily schedule from 24 hours to a service running from 5 a.m. until midnight. Full-time broadcasting resumed after the temporary restriction. The channel is controlled from Vietnam Television's center in Ho Chi Minh City. Its signal is relayed to VTV headquarters in Hanoi and distributed through satellite, terrestrial, digital terrestrial, online, and pay-TV systems. It is transmitted free-to-air on Vinasat-1 and through relevant terrestrial and online infrastructure, while some pay-TV distribution may use conditional access. VTV9 also has a representative office in Nha Trang, where its coverage overlaps with VTV8. In September 2022, VTV reorganized the names and structure of its Southern regional centers, renaming the Southern center as the Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City and establishing a separate center for the Southwest region.

• 2022

  Southern VTV center reorganization

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  VTV renamed its Southern center as the Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City and established a Southwest regional center.

• 2020

  Temporary pandemic schedule

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  The channel temporarily reduced its broadcast day during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning to 24-hour operation.

• 2019

  Digital channels launched

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  VTV9 launched its website and YouTube channel on 1 May.

• 2016

  Merger with VTV Can Tho 1

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  VTV9 merged with VTV Can Tho 1 on 1 January and became a national channel serving the Southern region.

• 2015

  HD and DVB-T2 rollout

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  HD broadcasting began in August, followed by a DVB-T2 digital terrestrial transition in September.

• 2013

  24-hour service introduced

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  VTV9 moved to continuous broadcasting on 11 July.

• 2010

  Nationwide transmission begins

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  The channel began nationwide broadcasting on 13 September while retaining a strong regional programming focus.

• 2007

  Regional launch

  [1]VTV9en.wikipedia.org

  VTV9 began broadcasting on 8 October as a regional service for Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding Southern Vietnamese audiences.

A VTV national service with a strong Southern Vietnamese editorial and audience focus, combining public-service information, regional news, sports, entertainment, and event coverage across broadcast and digital platforms.

• Linear television channel · 2007

  VTV9 television channel

  The core VTV9 service is a national television channel with a strong Southern Vietnamese focus. It broadcasts news, sports, entertainment, cultural programming, and live coverage of major events. The channel operates continuously under normal conditions and is distributed through satellite, terrestrial, digital terrestrial, online television, and pay-TV systems.

• Digital video and online television · 2019

  VTV9 digital platforms

  VTV9's website and YouTube channel extend the channel's programming and video presence beyond its linear broadcast schedule. They form part of VTV9's digital distribution strategy and provide online access to selected content for audiences in Vietnam.

• 2020

  Temporary reduction of broadcast hours during COVID-19Strategy

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic affected broadcasting operations in Vietnam.

  Action taken

  From 19 March until May 2020, VTV9 reduced its daily schedule to broadcasts running from 5 a.m. to midnight.

  Aftermath

  The channel later resumed its regular 24-hour service.

  Source

• 2019

  Launch of website and YouTube channelProduct launch

  Background

  Audience consumption was expanding from conventional television toward online video and digital platforms.

  Action taken

  VTV9 launched its website and YouTube channel on 1 May 2019.

  Aftermath

  The channel gained additional digital outlets for distributing video and maintaining audience access outside the linear schedule.

  Source

• 2016

  Merger with VTV Can Tho 1M&A

  Background

  Vietnam's national press-planning framework called for changes to the structure of regional television services.

  Action taken

  VTV9 and VTV Can Tho 1 were combined on 1 January 2016, with VTV9 continuing as the resulting national Southern channel.

  Aftermath

  The reorganization broadened VTV9's remit from a primarily regional station to a national service focused on Southern Vietnam.

  Source

• 2015

  Upgrade to HD and DVB-T2 distributionGeneration change

  Background

  VTV9 was modernizing its broadcast infrastructure as Vietnam expanded digital terrestrial television.

  Action taken

  VTV9 introduced HD broadcasting in August and switched its terrestrial transmission to DVB-T2 in September.

  Aftermath

  The channel gained improved technical quality and compatibility with newer digital terrestrial networks.

  Source

• 2013

  Adoption of 24-hour broadcastingStrategy

  Background

  VTV9 had previously operated on a limited daily schedule as a regional channel.

  Action taken

  The channel began continuous 24-hour broadcasting on 11 July 2013.

  Aftermath

  The change increased the channel's availability and supported its development toward a broader national role.

  Source

1. 1VTV9en.wikipedia.org
2. 2VTV9 official websitevtv9.vtv.vn