100TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAMESE REVOLUTIONARY PRESS DAY (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025): Confessions of an amateur journalist

In most press agencies, in addition to the team of professional journalists, there are also non-professional journalists who are regular collaborators. Mr. Nguyen Van Hau (67 years old, living in Bao Loc City) is such a non-professional journalist and has been working as a writer for nearly 20 years.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hau received the award at the Writing Contest about The Soldier I Love

• PASSION FOR JOURNALISTRY

Mr. Nguyen Van Hau confided: “In the past, when I was standing at the threshold of choosing a career to pursue, journalism had sown many thoughts and concerns in me. But for some reason, I was not able to “commit”! Although I was not a professional journalist, I was still “tormented” in my heart, so I wrote articles to satisfy my interests and passion.”

During his time working at the Propaganda Department of Bao Loc City Party Committee, Mr. Hau realized that to enter the journalism profession, he would encounter certain difficulties. However, because he had access to and researched various types of policy and legal documents, if he was determined to write, he would be sure and steady. From here, Mr. Hau pondered, considered and decided to start working in journalism in a "semi-professional" way. Starting from 2007 until now, Mr. Hau has continuously had journalistic works published in central and local newspapers such as Dai De Nhan Dan Newspaper, Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper, Lam Dong Newspaper, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, and many specialized magazines.

Mr. Hau's articles and writings are mostly in the political genre, aiming to convey the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws to readers; at the same time, there are specific analyses and assessments to bring the Party and State's policies and guidelines closer to the people. Through his articles, Mr. Hau also pointed out the difficulties and obstacles when the government and functional agencies at all levels implement the State's policies and laws...

Mr. Hau said: “Through my work experience and practical experience in the industry, I write articles to first and foremost disseminate information to the people; help people understand and grasp the Party’s policies and guidelines and the State’s policies and laws. From there, each citizen understands the law to protect themselves and make positive contributions to building an increasingly prosperous and developed homeland and country.”

• JOY FROM AWARDS

According to Mr. Hau, during nearly 20 years of writing, "How to write a good article?" is a seemingly easy question, but in fact it is not simple at all. How to make his articles attractive to readers and have social significance is what he always aims for. That requires journalists to be dedicated, work hard and be constantly creative so that each issue and event through their pen becomes attractive to readers.

Like professional journalists, amateur journalists like Mr. Hau always understand their social responsibility. Through each journalistic work, he has fully visualized the complexity and difficulties of a true journalist.

“When I first started writing for the newspaper, I only thought that I would write from what I had directly done and directly solved the work. Through my own work, it would help me approach the problem easily and conveniently, and that is also considered the “strength” of a non-professional journalist like me. However, to convey the full, profound truth to the readers, both professional and non-professional journalists must commit themselves,” Mr. Hau shared.

Through his articles, amateur journalist Nguyen Van Hau has left an impression on readers and professional journalists with journalism awards. Specifically, he and a group of authors from the People's Representative Newspaper won the C Prize of the National Journalism Award on the National Assembly and People's Council (Dien Hong Prize) in 2024, with the work "Under this thin shirt there is a heart" (5 issues); Encouragement Prize of the National Writing Contest "Stories told in the Company" on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024), with the work "The unforgettable lesson of a 120mm mortar soldier"; Encouragement Prize of the Writing Contest " Hanoi and I", with the work "Warmth of Hanoi People's Love", published in the Hanoi People Magazine. In addition, Mr. Hau has also received many journalism awards and certificates of merit from Lam Dong province and the newspapers he is collaborating with.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/xa-hoi/202506/ky-niem-100-nam-ngay-bao-chi-cach-mang-viet-nam-2161925-2162025-tam-su-cua-nguoi-lam-bao-khong-chuyen-0585aa8/