New stage in the merger process

BHG - 61 years ago, the first issue of Ha Giang Newspaper - the mouthpiece of the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in Ha Giang province - is about to officially close its historical journey, heading towards a new stage in the administrative merger process between the two provinces of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. An event marking an unprecedented turning point in the history of local journalism - a place that was once considered a particularly difficult area but rich in identity and persistent in its desire for change.

BHG - 61 years ago, the first issue of Ha Giang Newspaper - the mouthpiece of the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in Ha Giang province - is about to officially close its historical journey, heading towards a new stage in the administrative merger process between the two provinces of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. An event marking an unprecedented turning point in the history of local journalism - a place that was once considered a particularly difficult area but rich in identity and persistent in its desire for change.

Going back in history, on April 13, 1964, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 11 on upgrading the "Tin Ha Giang" newspaper to "Bao Ha Giang" and officially establishing the newspaper agency of the Vietnam Labor Party Committee of Ha Giang province. Ha Giang Newspaper was born in the context of the country entering the fierce resistance war against the US, the northern mountainous region was still full of shortages. At that time, the newspaper was printed on recycled paper, printed by hand, and published irregularly, but soon became the "only information channel" to help ethnic minorities grasp the Party's guidelines, policies, and the State's laws. From being just an internal information sheet, only published in print 4 times/month, now Ha Giang Newspaper alone is published 5 times/week with a circulation of 9,000 copies/time, then electronicized, transforming in the 4.0 revolution period. The newspaper has won many provincial, regional and national press awards; it is the training and development place for many generations of journalists, many of whom later held leadership positions in the Propaganda, Information - Communication sectors, or Party agencies of the province.

Retired cadres of group 1, Tran Phu ward (Ha Giang city) regularly get information from Ha Giang Newspaper.

The newspaper not only reflects the political and social life of Ha Giang but is also a "witness" of the daily changes. From the hunger eradication and poverty reduction program; building new rural areas, protecting border sovereignty, to changes in digital transformation, tourism development, trade and indigenous culture... all are shown on each page of the newspaper with the passion and responsibility of Ha Giang journalists through many generations...

On June 12, 2025, the 15th National Assembly passed Resolution No. 202/QH15 on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units. Accordingly, the entire natural area and population of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces will be arranged into a new province called Tuyen Quang province. After the arrangement, Tuyen Quang province will have a natural area of ​​13,795.50 km2 and a population of 1,865,270 people. This is part of the overall program on streamlining the apparatus, reducing staff, saving the budget, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of our Party and State. On July 1, 2025, the new provincial-level administrative apparatus will officially come into operation. Ha Giang Newspaper, as the mouthpiece of the Ha Giang Provincial Party Committee, will end its operations to merge with Tuyen Quang Newspaper, forming a new press agency under Tuyen Quang province after the merger.

The closing of a local newspaper that has been associated with the political, cultural and social life of Ha Giang people for more than 60 years has left many emotions. For reporters, editors, technicians and workers of Ha Giang Newspaper, this moment is a moment of silence with many emotions. Journalist Hoang Ngoc, Editor of the Secretariat - Editorial Department with over 17 years of working at Ha Giang Newspaper, shared: “We consider Ha Giang Newspaper as a common home. Closing the newspaper does not mean we stop contributing. We are ready for a new phase, but the memory and pride of Ha Giang Newspaper are things that will never be lost”.

Many young journalists working at the newspaper said they felt regretful, because the Ha Giang Newspaper brand is not only an agency but also a spiritual symbol, a place to nurture writing and civic responsibility. However, this transfer is not simply the end, but the beginning of a modern media model, larger in scale, with deeper and broader transmission capacity and linked to the development process of the Northern Midlands and Mountains. Young journalist Nguyen Minh Chau, Editor of the Electronic Newspaper and Digital Content Department, affirmed: “Now, when a new turning point is approaching, my emotions are also extremely mixed. The merger means having to start over in a new environment, getting to know new colleagues, a new style of journalism. But I believe that if I keep the passion for the profession in my heart, I can work anywhere - and do it well. I will try to adapt, strive to develop myself and continue to tell the stories of the people, of the land I love.”

In the journey of innovation and integration, we often talk about “adaptation”, but we must also recognize the values ​​that need to be preserved. Ha Giang Newspaper is a true cultural brand of the Stone Plateau. It represents a difficult period but full of ideals, creativity in a deprived situation, and perseverance in building a new life.

Merging newspapers in the process of restructuring the apparatus is inevitable, but we must pay more attention to the human factor. How can journalists not become "the ones left behind"? How can the voices of the old Ha Giang people with their geopolitical, ethnic and cultural characteristics still be fully and deeply reflected in the unified press space? And when the last issue of Ha Giang Newspaper was about to be released as a special issue, many loyal readers of the newspaper, from the people, prestigious people in Dong Van, Meo Vac, Xin Man, Hoang Su Phi... to veteran cadres in Ha Giang city, all shared the same emotions of emotion, regret, but also full of trust. Because they understand that closing a newspaper is not the end, but opening a new chapter, where the values ​​of revolutionary journalism are still preserved, inherited and developed more strongly.

On July 1, 2025, Ha Giang Newspaper, although no longer exists in name, will forever exist in the hearts of readers as a symbol of intelligence, courage and faith on the journey to the future.

Article and photos: MINH KHAI

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/xa-hoi/202506/chang-duong-moi-trong-tien-trinh-sap-nhap-3f400e8/