Disaster communication is now recognized as a key part of governance; however, its strategic elements remain underdeveloped, particularly outside of Western contexts. This study seeks to address this gap by reframing disaster communication not merely as reactive information transfer but as a strategic governance tool embedded in public administration. Using a systematic literature review, the paper synthesizes interdisciplinary frameworks from public relations, crisis communication, and political science to develop an integrated model of strategic disaster communication governance. The analysis presents a dual-level framework that distinguishes between the strategic management of meaning, which shapes public interpretation through framing and stakeholder alignment, and the tactical management of information, which oversees the processing and dissemination of data. The findings show that effective disaster communication requires a shift from reactive, top-down information dissemination to proactive, two-way, symmetrical governance. Reinterpreting the RACE model as a governance cycle that links strategic orientation to tactical execution underscores the importance of systematic planning, stakeholder mapping, and adaptive communication processes for managing both meaning and information. Furthermore, the paper argues that communication should be treated as a public good, essential to maintaining institutional legitimacy and promoting long-term community resilience, particularly within centralized governance frameworks such as Vietnam’s. In the digital era, integrating dialogic, two-way communication mechanisms is crucial for sustaining public trust and enhancing the effectiveness of disaster management efforts.
