Footprints still remain...

5d34845bb34707195e56(1).jpg — Former Editor-in-Chief Ho Duy Le - Editor-in-Chief of Quang Nam Newspaper after the province's separation in 1997 - and former Editor-in-Chief Le Van Nhi have continued and maintained the identity of Quang Nam Newspaper by prioritizing the development of cultural sections and columns, along with other leaders of Quang Nam Newspaper.

1. That was the day I heard the news that the subject of my article had "gone somewhere else." In my 15 years of journalism, I've written quite a few biographical sketches. Each portrait is a profound snapshot that contributes to the overall picture of the Quang Nam cultural region.

Each character is a unique story, unlike any other. Each character is a mark in the journey of preserving and conserving Quang Nam's culture. Through them, we realize that traces of Quang Nam's culture, thought to have been lost amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, are hidden secrets that, if unearthed, will become treasures.

It is the "treasure" of Tra My cinnamon, the "soul of the mountains" neatly arranged into musical notations. The haunting sound of the a-map horn. The measure of a person's character through the gong and drum rhythm. Co folk songs mimic the xa-ru rhythm of a hardworking woman...

Peeling back each memory, we recall the image of the strong and generous mountain man, from his physique and voice to his personality and the passions he pursued.

In 2017, I wrote about him, based on my observations of Duong Trinh over several years. In the years that followed, he became an expert in articles on the preservation of mountain music, both for me and many of my colleagues.

In 2024, we invited him to participate directly in our feature articles on mountain culture, as a writer. I still remember the man's voice cheering when he first received his payment. That was also my last memory with Duong Trinh!

At the end of April, with a silent offering of incense, we visited the late Mr. Dinh Hai - former Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He made a significant contribution to the culture and tourism of Quang Nam province.

The impact of the "heritage journey" and the Quang Nam Heritage Festival would not have been possible without the leading figure, Dinh Hai. We call him "the man who created the festival." And those who love Quang Nam culture respect him for his dedication to so many preservation efforts.

In journalism, the greatest happiness isn't necessarily the achievements from awards. Colleagues often ask each other, behind the words, or what lingers in the mind after the words are written, isn't it the connection that's maintained afterward? A connection to spread the message we deliver. A connection to do something useful for the world! And more than anything, it's about knowing that, no matter how many years pass, the literary figures who appeared in our articles continue to live up to the sentiments they shared with us.

Articles about the culture, arts, land, and people of Quang Nam province published in Quang Nam Newspaper have established a strong position in the hearts of readers.

2. The years that followed. Looking back, as we bid farewell to the pioneering generation that established the name of Quang Nam province, starting from 1997, we realize how deeply their footprints have been intertwined with the journey of a cultural region.

It is thanks to them that Quang Nam seems to have been able to establish itself as a region that has preserved its character and identity, starting with the appreciation of those who work in the field of culture.

Journalists in the South, whenever they mention Quang Nam Newspaper, often offer words of praise. They value the newspaper's identity from its inception to the present day, which has always stood on the side of the beauty of traditional values. Not many newspapers have maintained such consistent cultural sections, columns, and publications for so many years.

Even more importantly, issues concerning the country's culture are constantly being explored, not only in multimedia news reports, but also in in-depth analytical articles, biographical sketches, and the continuous publication of information about the region.

Journalist Tieu Vu, a veteran cultural journalist in Saigon and a native of Quang Nam, said he always feels proud whenever his articles are published in Quang Nam Newspaper. “Journalists in Saigon highly appreciate Quang Nam Newspaper. It’s rare to find a newspaper that still maintains a cultural section like ours. That’s what we cherish most! No matter how many articles I write or how many newspapers I publish in, the appearance of my article in Quang Nam Newspaper always brings the most emotion!” he shared.

Choosing the values that define Quang Nam – the values of a land rich in culture – for the past 28 years, Quang Nam Newspaper has established its position in the hearts of its readers. This position is largely due to the stories of the land and people of Quang Nam; the concerns for survival from the artisans of traditional crafts; the keeper of the local knowledge; the mask makers of traditional theater; and even the proud man who has dedicated his life to sculpting statues of famous figures from Quang Nam...

We listen to their stories and put them in the newspapers. But what about the journalists? Who will take the share of the spoils?

This June, each of the individuals who contributed to the history of Quang Nam Newspaper will join the wave of mergers. We know that, regardless of the path they choose, our friends have already found their own bright future under the name of Quang Nam Newspaper.

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