Young journalist talks about journalism

JOURNALIST XUAN TRIEU, HEAD OF VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY'S RESIDENTIAL OFFICE IN PHU YEN: A fateful relationship with journalism and his hometown Phu Yen

Journalist Xuan Trieu. Photo: Contributor

In 2013, I happened to read the recruitment notice of Vietnam News Agency (VNA). Although I was a Literature teacher, I still boldly applied with the hope of having a new career experience. The recruitment exam result showed that I was not the best candidate but only ranked 4th out of 6 successful candidates at VNA's Central Highlands region. After a period of "apprenticeship" at VNA's Southern region ( Ho Chi Minh City), I was transferred to work at VNA's Phu Yen resident office. From Da Nang City, the bus rolled in the fading afternoon light, I felt my heart was mixed between excitement and anxiety. Phu Yen to me at that time was just a name on the map, a land that had appeared in geography lessons...

Working in Phu Yen, with the guidance and support of journalist Doan The Lap, Head of the Agency and journalist Trinh Bang Nhiem, I gradually got used to the rhythm of a resident reporter. For me, Phu Yen land has enough vivid material for a true journalist. That material is the implementation of the Party and State's policies from local practices or social security programs in ethnic minority areas. The stories of sugarcane and shrimp farmers, which seem simple, can also be vivid topics for the press...

During my years as a journalist, I will never forget the days of trekking through the forest to find places where illegal loggers were cutting wood, or when storms and floods still took place with my colleagues in places with strong winds and high water levels. Every time my work was published and readers were interested, I had more motivation to continue holding the camera and writing. Then, at some point, I was not just a reporter doing the assigned work, but became someone who was “blood-bound” to the land I reported on and the people I met.

More than a decade has passed since I left the lecture hall to enter journalism. Phu Yen is now not only a place of work, but also a familiar memory, a place that witnessed my first steps of professional growth in the VNA house. If I had to choose again, I would still apply that year to work, to be a part of the steady, quiet and proud flow of the News Agency.

Emphasis

Every time my work is published and receives attention from readers, I have more motivation to continue holding the camera and writing. Then, at some point, I am not just a reporter doing the assigned work, but become a person "blood-attached" to the land I report on, to the people I meet.

JOURNALIST TRUNG THI (DAN TRI NEWSPAPER, RESIDENT IN PHU YEN): Breathing life into every word to touch the hearts of readers

Journalist Trung Thi (second from left) and local government representatives present support money at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a Nhan Ai house in Phu Hoa district. Photo: Contributor

In 2017, I started working at Dan Tri Newspaper, leaving my hometown Quang Nam to work in Phu Yen province. Continuing to promote the good values of the newspaper, I have become part of the "bridge" between the less fortunate people in Phu Yen and readers at home and abroad.

On my familiar motorbike, I roamed from the alleys of the city to the remote, poor villages. I often tell people that sometimes the roads, hamlets, and alleys of my hometown - Quang Nam - become more unfamiliar than the small paths and familiar street corners in Phu Yen, where I have been attached for 7 consecutive years.

On average, each year, I have verified and reported to Dan Tri Newspaper about 10 cases, with an average support level of 100 million VND/case. In 2024 alone, the number was 20 cases with a total mobilized amount of more than 4 billion VND. Since the beginning of 2025, I have mobilized partial or full funding for 7 houses in the temporary housing elimination program, with an investment level of over 160 million VND/house.

As a reporter, I always keep in mind that every piece of information and every image included in an article must be honest and full of humanity. I try to breathe life into every word, so that the story is not only told, but also truly comes to life, touching the hearts of readers. I believe that when sincerity touches the emotions, readers will understand, share and reach out to help those in difficult situations. That is also the way we together give them more opportunities, kindle hope so that they can confidently move forward in life. In the process of doing charity work, I am truly happy when many situations that are helped have the conditions to change their lives.

JOURNALIST NGUYEN YEN (PHU YEN NEWSPAPER): Journalism is a hard and dangerous profession, but also full of joy.

Journalist Nguyen Yen. Photo: Contributor

Graduated from the Department of General Literature (Quy Nhon University) in 2011, 1 year later, I got a chance to work as a journalist at the Provincial Radio and Television Station (now Phu Yen Newspaper) through a job posting. After nearly 14 years working in the journalism environment, I encountered many difficulties and pressures, especially from the first days of entering the profession. But here I also received the most sincere sharing from my senior colleagues, which gave me a positive view of the Journalism industry that I have been attached to until now.

A memorable memory when I made the report "Black credit - Setting traps" in 2023. My colleagues and I identified this as a long-standing problem for people's lives and security and order in the province. Carrying out this topic, we certainly encountered many difficulties, but with the responsibility of journalists, we needed to have real images and sounds sent to the audience, so when we worked, we were sometimes chased by black credit lenders. With the skills of professionals, we were lucky to escape and keep the images and sounds to broadcast in time. When the report was broadcast, many black credit lenders were arrested. Many victims in the province escaped persecution; thereby sounding the alarm bell for many people to avoid this type of crime. This work later won the A prize of the Phu Yen Provincial Press Award in 2023, the silver prize of the 16th National Radio Festival in 2024, and the silver prize of the 42nd National Television Festival in 2025. But the happiest thing is that we have contributed our small part with other authorities to push back this crime.

In the coming time, in the trend of rapid development of information technology, internet, artificial intelligence (AI), many personal information channels through domestic social networks appear, diversifying information, but also causing difficulties in determining the accuracy and authenticity of information. Therefore, I hope that other authorities will accompany the mainstream press to continue to promote the leading role, be the support for accuracy, honesty, especially in timeliness in reporting, creating public opinion and orienting public opinion.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/goc-tre/202506/nha-bao-tre-noi-ve-nghe-bao-fa74afb/