We only live once.

Upon hearing the news of the General Secretary's passing, with deep sorrow and respect, I would like to share a memorable, cherished, and proud experience from my journalistic career: my first time covering a major event and having the opportunity to meet and converse with the General Secretary.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong converses with people of various ethnic groups in Kim Binh commune (Chiem Hoa district) at the historical site of the Second Party Congress. Photo: Mai Hung.

Twice I had the opportunity to participate in the coverage of the 11th and 12th National Congresses of the Communist Party of Vietnam. For a reporter from a local Party newspaper, this was a tremendous honor and also demanded a heavy responsibility. I will always remember my first time attending the 11th National Congress of the Party (January 2011). I was truly overwhelmed when I had the chance to work with experienced domestic journalists and reporters from major foreign news agencies. Anxiety was inevitable, so I had to devise my own work plan to ensure the fastest and most timely reporting of the Congress's proceedings and the activities of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Delegation, sending daily updates to the editorial office. The most difficult task was obtaining images of the Provincial Delegation's activities, and even more challenging was securing images of the Party and State leaders attending the Congress.

The Press Center is where domestic and foreign journalists work. It's located right next to the hall where the Congress is taking place, within the Hanoi National Convention Center. During the Congress (January 11-19, 2011), only reporters from the four major central newspapers – Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Vietnam Television, and Vietnam Radio – along with a few reporters representing foreign news agencies were allowed into the hall to work. Each day, the Press Center issued a certain number of passes allowing reporters about 10 minutes to enter the hall to take photos and videos. The remaining reporters worked at the Press Center, watching the Congress proceedings on large screens. To get pictures of the Tuyen Quang delegation and the high-ranking leaders, I had to ask for help from two reporters from Nhan Dan Newspaper and VNA. I also tried my best to make the most of my time to approach delegates for interviews and photos. Every morning, I arrive at the National Convention Center very early, choose a suitable spot to take photos of the delegates before they enter the hall, and then take advantage of the breaks between each session to take more photos.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with leaders of Tuyen Quang province and reporters from Tuyen Quang Newspaper and the provincial Radio and Television Station during a visit to the historical site of the 2nd Party Congress in Kim Binh commune, Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province (February 2011). Photo: Nguyen Chinh

During the nine days of the Congress, I promptly forwarded information to the editorial office every day. At that time, I only saw Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong daily in the mornings when he entered the meeting hall, and had a few fleeting opportunities to work inside the hall. It wasn't until the closing ceremony of the Congress, when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired the international press conference at the Press Center, that I officially met him up close, and the most memorable impression was the kind and friendly smile of the new General Secretary.

I remember that the closing session of the Congress ended at the end of the afternoon, and most reporters were tired and stressed after nine days of continuous work at the Press Center. However, when the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, stepped in to preside over the international press conference immediately after the closing session, waving and smiling brightly, everyone seemed to be invigorated with renewed energy. At the beginning of the international press conference, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed and thanked domestic and international journalists for their timely reporting on the Congress's proceedings to cadres, Party members, the people of the whole country, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends. The team of journalists, with their high sense of responsibility and timely information, contributed to the successful outcome of the Congress.

In the late afternoon, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech affirming that the 11th National Congress of the Party had been successful, completing all agenda items with positive results. The Congress demonstrated a truly democratic and frank atmosphere within the Party during the discussion of the Congress documents and personnel matters. This Congress radiated new confidence, a new spirit, and genuine unity and consensus after democratic and frank discussions on issues where there were differing opinions, rather than merely formal democracy. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also expressed gratitude for the sentiments, support, and good wishes from political parties, organizations, and international friends sent to the 11th Congress. The General Secretary answered questions from domestic and international reporters on issues such as addressing future economic challenges, promoting democracy in society, Party building, enhancing the Party's leadership capacity and fighting strength, combating corruption, curbing inflation, and caring for human rights in our country…

Immediately after the 11th National Congress of the Party, Kim Binh, Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province, was the first place General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited in his capacity as General Secretary of the Party. Once again, I was assigned by the Editorial Board of Tuyen Quang Newspaper to publicize this momentous event.

It was also a late afternoon in February 2011, after General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited Kim Binh commune, offered incense at the relics of the Second Party Congress, and visited and presented gifts to some poor households and families receiving preferential treatment in Kim Binh commune, that reporters from Tuyen Quang Newspaper and the Provincial Radio and Television Station had the opportunity to chat with the General Secretary. The General Secretary cordially inquired about the work of the local reporters.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong converses with author Hoai Yen (on the right).

Using the very simple and familiar form of address, "uncle" and "nephew," he asked me:

- How long have you been working as a journalist?

- I've been doing this for over 10 years!

With a gentle smile, she said, "I've been in journalism for almost 30 years. You've been doing it for over 10 years, so you're quite experienced. But it's very hard work for women in journalism. Keep going!"

The moments spent close to and talking with the General Secretary that day were captured by journalist and photographer Nguyen Chinh.

With news about the General Secretary's health over the past few days, everyone was worried and secretly hoped he would recover quickly, as he had done in previous illnesses. But in the end, the undesirable still happened – according to the laws of nature.

"The most precious thing in life is life itself and the honor of living. Because a person only lives once, they must live in a way that avoids regret and remorse for wasted years, and avoids shame for petty, despicable actions that earn the contempt of others. So that when they close their eyes in death, they can be proud that all their life, all their strength, they have dedicated to the noblest cause in the world – the cause of fighting for national liberation, liberating humanity, and bringing happiness to the people." The General Secretary's words remain, yet Uncle Ho breathed his last, departing to the eternal realm.

Uncle Ho! We only live once. Future generations pledge to follow your example. Farewell, Uncle Ho!

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/doi-nguoi-chi-song-co-mot-lan-195326.html