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| Journalist Phuong Thom (standing in the middle) during a reporting trip to the rigs (December 2017). |
In August 1997, when my university friends graduated and found stable jobs, I was still confused with my bachelor's degree in hand, not knowing where to go or where to return. One day, my father returned from his hometown in Bac Kan , bringing with him a surprising suggestion: - Why don't you go to Bac Kan to work as a journalist?
After listening, I felt both joy and worry. Joy because there was a turning point for the future. Worry because journalism was still strange and unfamiliar to me at that time. But in the end, I still decided to follow that calling, a simple turning point that later became the destiny of my life.
I packed my suitcase and set off. Bac Kan at that time was a small town with many shortages of infrastructure. The asphalt road was only a few kilometers long; the headquarters of most government agencies were still under construction, covered in dust. Bac Kan Newspaper was temporarily located in a row of level four houses in Xuong Truc - which was both the headquarters and the living quarters of the editorial staff.
I was given a simple place to stay in the reading room of the editorial office. In addition to writing articles, I also had the duty of answering the hotline. My working tools at that time were an old bicycle from my student days, along with a notebook and a pen. In the early days, I cycled to the wards and communes around the town to look for documents. At night, I answered the phone and practiced writing my first news and short articles.
I have never been to a journalism school, but fortunately, my predecessors such as: Mr. Nguyen Non Nuoc (Editor-in-Chief), Mr. Cao Tham (Deputy Editor-in-Chief), Ms. Lan Phuong (Head of the Editorial Office Secretary) at that time enthusiastically taught me every skill and every principle of the profession. Thanks to that guidance, I gradually matured and confidently wrote my first articles.
As I gradually got used to the work, I began to take on assignments in remote areas: Cho Don, Na Ri, Pac Nam... Working as a journalist in the mountains back then was a journey full of hardships. Sometimes we had to walk all day, wade through streams, and climb passes to reach the information access point. Despite the difficulties and hardships, we always received the warm affection and enthusiasm of the highland people.
I still remember clearly the business trip to Liem Thuy commune (Na Ri district) to do the investigative article "Liem Thuy forest is bleeding". Knowing that I was coming to the base, the commune leaders warmly welcomed me. That evening, in the simple stilt house with a flickering fire of the family of the commune Women's Union Chairwoman, the heads of departments and organizations were all present. They shared with me valuable stories about life and the difficulties of the locality. As for me, I took the opportunity to record every detail, every piece of the puzzle for the upcoming article.
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| The author (far right) and colleagues from Bac Kan Newspaper at the 88th Anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. |
In 2014, due to family circumstances, I transferred to work at Thai Nguyen Newspaper. The new, more modern working environment, the faster and more professional pace of journalism made me "overwhelmed". Here, while reporters were still writing articles on the 3rd floor, on the 1st floor, the printing house was ready to prepare the final print of the day. The pressure to publish a daily newspaper was something that had never existed in my old journalism environment.
The first articles I wrote for Thai Nguyen Newspaper were repeatedly returned because the writing style was sketchy, lacking depth and flexibility. But then, just like the first day I came to Bac Kan Newspaper, I received guidance and tolerance from my seniors in the profession: Ms. Do Thi Thin (Editor-in-Chief), Mr. Lieu Van Chien (Deputy Editor-in-Chief), Ms. Minh Hang (Head of Party Building Department)... and many other colleagues. They helped me adapt, mature and gradually catch up with the vibrant journalism environment.
Nearly thirty years in journalism, a journey that is not too long, but not too short to keep many memories. I consider myself very lucky to have worked in two newsrooms with a humane and professional working environment; where there are dedicated leaders, sincere colleagues, close as brothers and sisters.
Now, when the press agencies of Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen are about to become one, I suddenly feel excited because I am about to welcome my colleagues from Bac Kan Newspaper back. My colleagues and I also understand that, although it may be difficult at first, this is a necessary step to build a more professional press agency, worthy of the expectations of readers in the new era.
I believe that wherever I am, in whatever form, the flame of passion and aspiration to contribute to journalism - the profession of truth and conscience - will always burn within me and in the hearts of my journalism colleagues.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/toi-den-voi-nghe-viet-bao-86729ee/
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