báo

Báo is a Vietnamese noun commonly translated as "newspaper." In everyday usage, tờ báo refers to a newspaper issue, while báo chí denotes the press as a whole. The word can also appear as a verb in constructions meaning to inform or report, such as báo cho biết.

Etymology and usage: The term originates from Sino-Vietnamese báo (報), meaning to report or to announce, reflecting historical connections with Chinese writing and bureaucratic practice. In Vietnamese, the word evolved to refer specifically to printed and, more recently, digital periodicals.

History and forms: The Vietnamese press has a long history and has evolved under various political and social contexts. In the modern era, báo encompasses both traditional print newspapers and electronic editions. Online newspapers are commonly referred to as báo điện tử or báo mạng. The production of a newspaper involves a tòa soạn (newsroom) and a team of nhà báo (journalists) who report, edit, and publish content across news, editorials, features, and advertisements.

See also and related terms: Báo chí, Nhà báo, Tờ báo, Bản tin, Báo cáo. The word is used in numerous compounds and phrases to indicate reporting, alerts, and official announcements in Vietnamese.