A 'red address' amidst the mountains and forests of Northern Vietnam.

The site where the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism was established in Dai Phuc commune, Thai Nguyen province, was identified and a monument was erected in 2019. It truly is a "red address" of the revolution and resistance in general, and of journalism in particular. Especially, the documents, directives of President Ho Chi Minh, and lectures on journalism preserved at the site are of classic value for journalism training.

A classroom at the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism. Photo: Archival.

A courageous son of Quang Nam

For his immense contributions to the nation, on December 27, 2012, the President of Vietnam signed a decision posthumously awarding the Gold Star Order to Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang (Mr. Huynh), demonstrating the extent of his contributions to the revolution!

Mr. Huynh was born on October 1, 1876. At the age of 13, he could already write essays. At 16, he took the provincial examination, and at 29, he earned his doctorate, becoming renowned as one of the three most learned people in Hue at that time. Mr. Huynh was arrested by the French colonialists and exiled to Con Dao Island for 13 years (1908-1921). In July 1926, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang was elected President of the Central Annam People's Representative Assembly. Shortly after, he resigned to focus on journalism and literature. Mr. Huynh founded the newspaper Tieng Dan (Voice of the People) in 1927, serving as its editor-in-chief and publisher for 16 years (1927-1943).

Following the success of the August 1945 Revolution, President Ho Chi Minh invited Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang to join the cabinet of the United Resistance Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as Minister of the Interior . In 1946, when President Ho Chi Minh visited France, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang was appointed acting President of the country.

Mr. Huynh passed away in Quang Ngai on April 21, 1947. The funeral committee solemnly read a letter from President Ho Chi Minh sent to Quang Ngai: “Mr. Huynh was a man of extensive learning, unwavering determination, and high moral character. Because of his patriotism, he was persecuted by the colonialists and exiled to Con Dao Island. For over a decade, he endured hardship and suffering, but his unwavering loyalty and love for his country and people not only did not falter but became even stronger. Mr. Huynh was a man whose heart was not swayed by wealth, whose spirit was not discouraged by poverty, and whose courage was not intimidated by power. Throughout his life, Mr. Huynh did not seek fame or fortune, nor did he desire wealth. His entire life was dedicated to the people's freedom…”

Appreciating his noble qualities, in 1949 President Ho Chi Minh instructed the General Headquarters of the Viet Minh to establish a journalism school and named it after Mr. Huynh.

"Red address" of revolutionary journalism

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the renovated Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism. Photo: Archival.

Entering the 21st century, all the locations related to journalism, broadcasting, culture, arts, and cinema that were established or existed during the resistance against French colonialism in the Thai Nguyen ATK (Anti-French Resistance Zone) have been completed, except for one address: the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism, founded in 1949, which has remained untouched. Three times, former students of the school have returned to find their old address; the first time there were over 20 people, and the subsequent times fewer.

Many prominent figures in journalism, culture, and arts—such as Bành Bảo, Nguyễn Bình, Trần Vũ, Hữu Mai, Hoàng Kiên Trung, Mai Thanh Hải, Lý Thị Trung, Hải Như, etc.—returned with the hope of rediscovering the old location. Through years of research, the Bờ Rạ hamlet was found to exist, but part of it, previously inhabited and situated beside the Công River, was submerged beneath the Núi Cốc reservoir. When the water rose, the inhabitants left, and the hamlet's name disappeared. The remaining hilly and mountainous area was covered in forest, and the residents of Gốc Mít hamlet were contracted to plant trees there...

Plot number 32, map sheet number 47, with national coordinates 21 degrees 35 minutes 42 seconds north latitude; 105 degrees 41 minutes 42 seconds west longitude, classified as forest land, was discovered and a national historical monument was erected here in 2019.

The Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism had its first and only class. Mr. Do Duc Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Viet Minh General Headquarters (Director), Mr. Xuan Thuy (Deputy Director), Mr. Nhu Phong, Mr. Do Phon, and Mr. Tu Mo were members of the leadership board. 42 students studied for 3 months and were taught by 29 lecturers: Truong Chinh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Hoang Quoc Viet, Le Quang Dao, To Huu, Nguyen Thanh Le, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Xuan Dieu, Nam Cao, The Lu…, representing many disciplines that journalists need to cultivate.

In just three months, the students mastered a massive program divided into three parts: theory, specialization, and practice. On July 6, 1949, the class concluded here. President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the class, praising them and highlighting four key points regarding the mission, principles, objectives, and target audience of each newspaper, as well as the goals of journalism. The Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism is a prime example of in-depth, thorough, and serious learning and teaching. The 42 students and 29 lecturers are the core of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism, always shining brightly and making significant contributions to the journalism we see today.

The starting point for journalistic tourism in Northern Vietnam.

In 2024, through social mobilization efforts, the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism historical site was renovated and expanded, featuring vibrant and rich content that attracts numerous visitors. With the completion of the national-level historical site of the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism in Tan Thai commune, Dai Tu district on August 9, 2024, Thai Nguyen and Viet Bac have essentially "finished" the map of historical sites related to the birth and development of resistance journalism in this region.

A delegation of journalists from Quang Nam province visits the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism historical site. Photo: Provided.

In Thai Nguyen (the place is called by its old name), Dinh Hoa district is rich in historical relics. Diem Mac commune has the site of the founding of the Vietnam Journalists Association (April 21, 1950); the editorial office of the Cuu Quoc Newspaper; and the founding site of the Vietnamese Photography and Film industries. Son Phu commune is the location of the Su That Publishing House and the Voice of Vietnam Radio. The small hamlet of Khau Dieu, Dinh Bien commune, witnessed the birth of the People's Army Newspaper on October 20, 1950.

About 15 kilometers further north, in the remote village of Khuon Nha, Quy Ky commune, on January 13, 1951, the Nhan Dan newspaper published its first issue; the Le Hong Phong printing house was also located there. As the center of the ATK during the resistance war, Phu Dinh commune was where the Su That newspaper was based from the beginning of 1947.

In Dai Tu district, besides the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism in Tan Thai commune, the Choi hamlet in My Yen commune was the location of the headquarters of the National Salvation Arts and Literature Association and the editorial office of the Arts and Literature Magazine; Cao Van commune (now Cu Van commune) was the location of the headquarters of the Labor Newspaper…

Over the past few decades, most of the "historical landmarks" of journalism have been recognized and honored. Some have been developed into historical sites, such as the Huynh Thuc Khang School of Journalism; others have only resulted in commemorative plaques, contributing to the education of journalistic traditions for future generations and the public.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202512/dia-chi-do-giua-nui-rung-viet-bac-96519fb/