Local loudspeakers… where have they gone?

Local loudspeakers used to be an efficient way of spreading local information, but in today’s real-time, they are gradually disappearing in the inner Hanoi, only lingering in rural areas such as Ba Vi district as a usual part of life.

The  speakers’ sound in the city is on the wane

Nowadays, in many districts of Ha Noi, loudspeakers are only echoes of the past.  The places that used to be immersed in the speaker’s sound, such as Nghia Tan collective zone, To Hieu Street, now only feature them as the silent artifacts. In general, most of the local loudspeakers are coming to a grinding halt, remaining in only a few spots.

Loudspeaker in front of Ha Noi St. Joseph's Cathedral (Source: The Infinite)

However, at Nha Chung Street, they still broadcast at 7:30 a.m. every weekday. In other places of the inner city, you can only hear the sound of the speakers at the national special events.

City's escape, where sound takes shape

Unlike the situation of being "out of favor" in urban areas, the commune loudspeaker system still plays an important role in the suburban districts of Hanoi.

Loudspeaker Phu Xuyen District (Source: The Infinite)

Loudspeaker in Nam Dinh Province (Source: The Infinite)

One such example is in Hong Minh Commune, Phu Xuyen District, where the loudspeakers still operate regularly twice a day. “Commune loudspeakers still often broadcast at 5:30 am and 5:30 pm. Far from being a nuisance, the commune loudspeaker is actually quite beneficial.”. Mrs Tran Thi Hoi. said. 

Mr. Dinh Van Bon – a local official of Tan Duong 1 Village – is reading an announcement over the loudspeaker (Source: The Infinite)

“Local residents here still rely heavily on the commune loudspeaker to get information about neighbourhood meetings, vaccination schedules, power and water outage notices, or extreme weather warnings. Some households don't have Internet, or many elderly residents don't use smartphones — for them, the commune loudspeaker is the only available channel.” shared, Mr. Dinh Van Bon

For rural communities, the commune loudspeaker is not noisy or disturbing; rather, it's a familiar sound intertwined with harvests, festivals, and even the subtle yet significant rhythms of communal life.

"Drumbeat for Studying - A Unique Learning Model

" It’s time for evening self-studying. Lifelong learning is the key to all success — learning for oneself and for the happiness of those around us. Students, please go to your study corner and study...."

This is the sound broadcast through the "ward loudspeaker" system at 7:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday every week in Ba Vi District. Up to now, 'The Drum of Studying Lessons' has quickly spread to many localities in the district, demonstrating both its practical effectiveness and the consensus from the people.

According to Khanh Nhi, a student at Dong Quang Secondary School (Ba Vi District), “At first, the loudspeaker was quite disruptive, as it coincided with dinner time or moments spent socializing. However, over time, my family and I adjusted our routine to help me study on time whenever I hear the loudspeaker."

Khanh Nhi - A student at Dong Quang Secondary School is studying after hearing drumbeat for studying (Source: The Infinite)

What is the future of the loudspeaker?

Under the pressure of the digital technology era, the local loudspeakers are at risk of being phased out. In some areas, such as Hoan Kiem District, Ba Dinh District, and  Cau Giay District, local authorities have begun piloting smart loudspeakers — integrated with the internet, remotely controlled, and capable of broadcasting news from specific zones.  

However, for many people, especially the middle-aged and elderly, what they value is not a “smart” loudspeaker but one that feels familiar: A familiar voice, heard regularly at the same hour, delivering small, everyday matters that quietly shape the rhythm of community life.

The future of the commune loudspeaker may not lie in clinging to its traditional format, nor in its complete abolition, but rather in a thoughtful redefinition of its purpose. No longer the primary conduit of official information, it may yet endure as a subtle but enduring thread of social cohesion — a uniquely human connection that modern technology, for all its reach, has yet to fully replicate.

Under Plan No. 200 on implementing the Strategy for Developing Grassroots Information Work for the 2022 - 2025 period, approved by Hanoi’s People Committee, the city aims to establish a modern digital broadcasting network by 2025, covering all villages, residential groups, and communities, fully replacing the previous traditional loudspeaker systems.

Do you still want to hear the public loudspeaker daily?

• Yes, it’s a cherished tradition worth preserving
• No, I prefer the quiet
• It depends on the area - needed some places, not in others