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| Journalist Tran Minh Ngoc (left) and journalist Tran Ngoc Phong ( Khanh Hoa Newspaper) took a souvenir photo during a working trip to Truong Sa in 2014. |
- You were born a police officer, what brought you to journalism?
- Journalism came to me by chance. After leaving the police force, I discovered that I had " economic blood", liked "adventure, finding new things", and had "artistic blood", so I worked for businesses and participated in artistic photography. In June 2000, I was admitted to the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, becoming a collaborator of Khanh Hoa Newspaper. In October 2000, I was accepted as a reporter for the Vietnam Economic Times Branch. Since then, I have worked for a number of press agencies, and am currently a reporter for Brand and Public Opinion Magazine. In 2002, I won the gold medal at the Central Highlands - Central Region Art Photography Festival. In 2008, I won the bronze medal at the National Art Photography Contest and was admitted to the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. For me, 25 years of journalism, being a member of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association and a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists is the most suitable job.
- It is known that you have been to Truong Sa 6 times. Can you share your memories and feelings when coming to the outpost archipelago of the Fatherland?
- Khanh Hoa province created conditions for me to join the working group to visit and present gifts in Truong Sa archipelago 6 times (in 2006, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2024). For every journalist and photographer, the more trips to Truong Sa, the more opportunities to create. The 6 times I joined the working group to visit and present gifts in Truong Sa archipelago, there are so many memories that I cannot remember and tell them all. In 2006, the first time I went to Truong Sa, everything I heard and saw here was very impressive and unforgettable: the rally to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Liberation of Truong Sa archipelago; seeing the square-leaved banyan tree and fruit; attending the memorial service for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland... My journalistic work "Memories of Truong Sa" won third prize at the Khanh Hoa Provincial Press Award in 2006.
During the trip in 2012, we were accompanied by a group of monks on Buddhist duties; the whole group was treated to horned bullfish by the people of Song Tu Tay Island. It was said that the islanders caught a very large school, and could not catch them all, so they set up nets to catch them gradually... My photo report "Truong Sa Today" published in Vietnam Pictorial Newspaper (Vietnam News Agency) won the B Prize of the Vietnam News Agency Press Awards in 2012; the photo "Visiting Da Nam Island" won a bronze medal at the Central Highlands - Central Region Art Photography Festival in 2013... In early 2013, I organized an exhibition of the photo series "Beloved Truong Sa" consisting of 70 photos at the Yasaka-Saigon-Nhatrang Hotel, sponsored by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. In 2018, when the working group arrived at An Bang Island, due to big waves, the ship had to anchor off the island so that the group could communicate with officers and soldiers on the island via walkie-talkie. I was lucky to be among the six journalists who were able to visit the island. It was a very special visit to the island that I will always remember.
During the 2022 trip, the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province donated 7 billion VND to the Navy Command to build 3 CQ boats to donate to the islands and DK1 Platform. At this time, there was still the Covid-19 epidemic, so we were tested quite carefully before getting on the ship. In the previous trips to Truong Sa that I participated in, the Khanh Hoa delegation usually had about 70 people, but on the 2024 trip, the delegation was up to 95 people. Khanh Hoa province donated funds to build a Community Cultural House for Phan Vinh Island.
- If possible, would you continue your trips to Truong Sa archipelago? Do you have any message for Truong Sa soldiers?
- I am only 66 years old and still in good health. Currently, I am a reporter for Brand and Public Opinion Magazine, President of the Vietnam Photography Association (term 2024 - 2029), President of the Photography Association of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association (term 2024 - 2029). I am not afraid of storms or dangers. If I get to go to Truong Sa, I am always ready.
For the soldiers of Truong Sa, the spirit of “The whole country for Truong Sa, Truong Sa for the whole country” has permeated the blood of all Vietnamese people, including you. I just wish you good health, to study hard, train hard, and complete your assigned tasks excellently, worthy of the title “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”.
- Thank you for this interview and I wish you more meaningful trips to Truong Sa!
HOANG NAM (Implementation)
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202506/nhung-chuyen-di-truong-sa-nhieu-ky-niem-cf14f2b/
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