Living heritage fuels the future

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), many documentary film screenings, exhibitions... were held across the country.

This is not only an occasion to honor the century-long journey of revolutionary journalism, but also an opportunity for today's journalists to pay tribute to their predecessors, affirm their pride and follow in the footsteps of previous generations.

Journalist Thu Hien (far right) and her team were delighted to find Nguyen Ai Quoc's article in La Vie Ouvrière newspaper, which had been carefully preserved for over 100 years. Photo: VTV

One of the special highlights is the elaborate documentary series introduced on this occasion. In the series of VTV special programs, the film “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc: Decoding the French secret agent files” produced by Vietnam Television and broadcast on June 18 on VTV1, is a work expected to create a strong resonance. Not only portraying Nguyen Ai Quoc on his journey to journalism, the film also publishes many documents accessed for the first time, especially the French translations of 208 issues of Thanh Nien newspaper, collected, translated and archived by the French colonialists over the past 100 years. Through the film, the audience can see more clearly why the press became one of the sharpest weapons in President Ho Chi Minh 's struggle for national liberation.

On June 15, the Vietnam Press Museum held a ceremony to launch the documentary, a thematic exhibition and a discussion on “Kim Toan - Journalist and Soldier”. Journalist Kim Toan is a typical face of the generation of journalists in the midst of the war. He crossed Truong Son twice, lived and wrote in the midst of the southern fire line, and after peace, continued to contribute to revolutionary journalism. The film is not only a portrait of an individual, but also brings the common story of thousands of journalists and soldiers who contributed to writing history with their own sweat, tears and blood.

As a unit with a strong focus on documentary films, Vinh Long Radio and Television Station also introduced many special films on this occasion. The 2-episode film "A Hundred Years of Fire and Steel Pen" by Vinh Long Television Station vividly recreates the growth process and affirms the fighting role of revolutionary journalism on the ideological and cultural front. Previously, another documentary film by the station on the history of journalism, "A Hundred Years of Fire and Sharp Pen", won the Silver Medal at the 42nd National Television Festival (2025). The film shows the journey of raising the voice of struggle through the revolutionary pen, from the "Youth Flame" of journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc to a century of writing history with words and courage.

In addition, exhibitions, fine arts, and publishing activities also took place vigorously. Notably, the launch of the photo book “100 Years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism (1925-2025)” published by the News Publishing House. The book is considered a deep gratitude to the journalists who came before and the journey of revolutionary journalism accompanying the nation.

The photo exhibition with the theme “Hanoi Moi Newspaper and the Capital on the Road to Development” taking place from June 17 to 22 at the headquarters of Hanoi Moi Newspaper (44 Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) is also an interesting highlight. The event takes place at a prominent “check-in” location that is loved by many people, tourists and young people.

This year is also the first year of the exhibition “Art of Vietnamese book, newspaper and magazine cover design 2025” organized by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association (from June 13 to 22) to honor the role of design in the appearance of journalism over the past century.

In particular, the 2025 National Press Festival - a large-scale political and professional event - will take place from June 19 to 21 at the National Convention Center, Hanoi with many exhibition booths, expected to attract a large number of journalists and the public...

It can be said that the films vividly depicting the portraits of generations of journalists, the photos and documents associated with a century of formation and development of Vietnam's revolutionary press, along with a series of organized activities, not only create a vibrant commemorative atmosphere, but also add motivation to journalists today.

Sharing about the film “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc: Decoding the French Secret Police Files”, director and journalist Tran Thu Hien said: The film depicts the portrait of journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc, the process of the patriotic young man coming to the journalism career, how he studied and trained in journalism in France, how he fought through journalism, how he brought revolutionary articles and newspapers to the masses... The film crew was very moved, proud and motivated when they were able to access and decode valuable documents about Uncle Ho and his journalism career.

From Nguyen Ai Quoc - the pioneer journalist, to generations of soldier journalists like Kim Toan, generations of journalists today are continuing on the path of revolutionary journalism, which is both glorious and challenging. In peacetime, the revolutionary pen continues to be honed to protect the truth and spread good values... A century has passed, and the Vietnamese revolutionary press is not only a mirror reflecting society, but also a creative force - accompanying the country's changes. Proud of their tradition, today's journalists, in the flow of technology, still maintain the spirit of "steel pen, loyal heart", continuing to write golden pages on the ideological and information front.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/di-san-song-dong-tiep-lua-cho-tuong-lai-706296.html