Old newspapers from afar…

There was a time, along the winding Ho Chi Minh Trail or on the islands, when the most anticipated gift wasn't something expensive, but simply a few old newspapers.

Mr. Vu Nang Huan (white shirt, center) - Head of Nam Du Lighthouse Station and Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper Pham Duc Hai (right) recount the joy that Tuoi Tre newspaper brought them in the southernmost sea region of the Fatherland in September 2013 - Photo: L.D. DUC

1. In the early 2000s, when the Ho Chi Minh Highway was under urgent construction, reporters, after reporting on the commencement of the project, would later continue to write about its progress. Following the urgent progress reports came the preparation for completion. More than a quarter of a century ago, the western section of the trans-Vietnam highway was still extremely deserted.

And on each trip like that, I always bring along a stack of old Tuoi Tre newspapers, including the daily, weekend, and humorous editions, along with a few magazines for women. And even though I don't smoke, I still buy a few packs of cigarettes to take with me.

If you've ever traveled along those desolate, winding roads deep in the mountains, you'll understand why old newspapers are so precious there!

The A Roàng Tunnel, a tunnel xuyên through the mountains in western Thừa Thiên Huế – the longest tunnel on the Ho Chi Minh Trail today. It was twilight. Workers were gradually returning to their camps in the dim light. We stopped our car and went into the camp.

Back then, the long rows of bamboo huts, without electricity or machinery, were where the female workers gathered to chat.

Just handing over a few old newspapers and magazines seemed very touching to the women. Adding a pack of cigarettes for the construction workers, chatting with them, and then heading off on our long journey. It's unlikely we'll ever see them again because they're always on the move, following the construction sites. Just a few stops along the way like that, but it warmed my heart in a strange way…

In the years when mobile phone coverage hadn't reached the highlands, and smartphones were even less common, along the roads of Northwest and Northeast Vietnam that I traveled, there were always roadside camps like these, workers and the desolate atmosphere in the twilight of the mountain region, with the mist from the rocks spreading out in a white, ethereal haze.

On another occasion, we traveled across Vietnam on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a wide, smooth road like a silk ribbon, but also with stretches that were desolate and deserted. Like the day we went from the Tra Ang intersection to Khe Sanh along the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

You may also like

Brothers in Hanoi built a shared house on a 3,000m2 plot of land; sisters-in-law are as close as family.(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Having lived in various places, after some unfortunate events, Hoa's husband's brothers returned to the land their father left them in Hanoi, built houses, and lived next to each other.

A breathtaking 3D mapping display celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City.The facade of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters shone brightly with a spectacular 3D mapping performance during the dress rehearsal, ready to serve the people on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh.

Unleashing a 'new spirit' among Vietnamese youth.TP - "The country needs a new spirit from its youth" - the message of General Secretary and President To Lam at the 13th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has inspired and awakened the determination to innovate thinking, actions, and contributions among Youth Union officials, members, and young people nationwide.

Throughout the entire 200-kilometer journey, I only encountered two cars coming from the opposite direction. Crossing the U Bo peak at night, shrouded in fog and clouds, the off-road vehicle could only crawl forward meter by meter. And amidst that desolate, foggy landscape, I came across the makeshift camps of the road maintenance workers.

The roads are constantly plagued by landslides. Although the route has been upgraded to a highway, it's not always smooth, and they are still needed – the workers clearing landslide areas, planting grass, building stone embankments, and supporting trees… And for who knows how long, in that makeshift camp, without television or radio, there's only the dim light of an oil lamp each night, and each day they meticulously tend to the road so that cars can glide smoothly, spewing out blue exhaust fumes.

That business trip was rushed, and I didn't have time to remember the old newspapers! I suddenly blamed myself for forgetting to bring along that small token of appreciation. For those workers' camps along the roadside in that remote, windswept mountain pass, those old newspapers, though fragile, would have been so warm with human kindness!

And when I participate in backpacking forums, I still tell this story to my friends, that on long-distance "backpacking" trips, sightseeing tours, exploring remote roads... you'll always see campsites like these. You might not remember a very simple poem I once wrote: "Enduring wind and rain without rest."

Road workers work very hard, my friends. Horses, carriages, and passengers constantly pass by. How many people truly thank them? ( Road workers - Ho Chi Minh), don't forget to bring a few old newspapers and a few packs of cigarettes; that's all, it will warm the hearts of the road workers.

Ms. Thu Lan has been selling newspapers for over half a century on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street near the corner of Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Newspapers have flourished and been closely associated with the people of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City for over a century. - Photo: Trung Nghia

2. Just like the remote roads of the Mekong Delta, more than 20 years ago, working trips to the islands were similar. On frontline islands like Con Co, the young volunteers who went to build the islands will never forget the bags of old newspapers that we brought along on each trip. But there was one trip to the island that left us utterly astonished.

On Nam Du Island, in the southwesternmost part of Vietnam, we found a stack of Tuoi Tre newspapers at the lighthouse station, with not a single issue missing. Upon inquiry, Mr. Vu Nang Huan, the station chief, explained that his greatest joy in his more than 10 years here is running from the lighthouse down to the pier each morning to receive the Tuoi Tre newspaper delivered by the boat from the mainland…

Thousands of newspapers were neatly stacked like that. On stormy days when no newspapers came out, he would read the old ones and still find joy! It turns out that a newspaper is not just a piece of paper; it has a kindred spirit, like a friend in times of joy and sorrow!

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Encourage U.S. businesses to expand investment in high-tech sectors.Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said that Vietnam welcomes US businesses to continue expanding their operations in Vietnam, especially in high-tech industries and sectors with high added value.

Vietnam and the United States strengthen cooperation in addressing the consequences of war.VTV.vn - On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao.

Then, with technological advancements, everything readers need to read is available on their smartphones with 3G, 5G, etc. Printed newspapers, even old ones, are no longer a special item that brings small joys to remote areas.

And now, many of the print newspapers that readers cherish have completed the mission of a period.

But the joy that old newspapers bring along the long, desolate road will still linger somewhere, amidst the jumble of memories in a person's life…

LE DUC DUC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bao-cu-duong-xa-100260629165524504.htm