Watchtower on Mau Mountain

- Working silently behind the screens to ensure that radio programs reach listeners is the daily task of the technical staff at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station in Mau Son commune, Loc Binh district.

Technicians at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station check the broadcast schedule.

Arriving at the summit of Mau Son in late June, we were greeted by a breathtaking scene: hydrangeas blooming in vibrant colors, and in the distance, the transmission tower of the station was faintly visible amidst the mist.

Pouring a cup of tea for his guest, Mr. La Bao Vu, Head of the Broadcasting Team at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station, shared: "I've been involved in this profession for 20 years. Located at an altitude of nearly 1,500 meters above sea level, the broadcasting station is shrouded in fog year-round, and in winter, it often experiences frost. Despite the harsh conditions, we consistently ensure the management, operation, and monitoring of the transmission equipment, antennas, and broadcasting station every day. Currently, the station has a total of 4 technicians. Due to the nature of the work, we work in shifts, 2 people per shift, each shift lasting 6 hours, rotating shifts 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Unlike technicians at other broadcasting stations, each technician here usually works 10 consecutive days on duty before taking a break, rotating shifts to ensure the system remains uninterrupted, especially during holidays or important provincial events." Despite living far from our families and facing many difficulties, we always strive and make every effort with a sense of responsibility and love for our profession to fulfill our duties.

It can be said that transmission and broadcasting technicians require a high sense of responsibility and a love for their profession to ensure that radio waves reach the public accurately, minute by minute, second by second, guaranteeing no incidents that lead to signal loss during broadcasting. Unlike Mr. Vu, who has many years of experience working at the broadcasting station, Mr. Le Quang Huyen just started working at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station in March 2025. Leading us on a tour of the equipment room, Mr. Huyen shared: "In the early days at the station, I struggled quite a bit to get used to the work of staying up late and waking up early, but gradually I got into the routine. The guys here treat each other like family; whoever is about to be on duty goes to the market early to bring enough food for the whole week, or they cook and do laundry while someone else is working. However, the biggest concern for the team is the lack of water during the dry season and the lightning strikes during the rainy season that cause signal interference and loss." For us, any abnormality, even a slight fluctuation in frequency or a faint crackling sound, must be detected and addressed promptly.

Rain or shine, regardless of the season, technicians at the station take turns on duty continuously to relay channels of the Voice of Vietnam ; ethnic language programs and radio programs from the provincial newspaper and radio and television station.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Nhanh, from An Son commune, Van Quan district, shared: "I often listen to the Tay and Nung language radio programs broadcast by the provincial newspaper and radio station. Although we have televisions and smartphones these days, I still listen to the radio because I can easily update information even while working in the fields. Especially, the radio broadcasts feature music programs that are both familiar and deeply rooted in our ethnic culture, so we really enjoy listening to them."

Mr. Tran Vu Anh, Head of the Technical and Technology Department of the Provincial Radio and Television Station, commented: "The team of technicians at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station are highly skilled professionals, highly regarded by the Voice of Vietnam Radio. Not only have they excelled in their work and successfully completed their assigned tasks, but over the years, the technicians at the station have also consistently strived to overcome difficulties and ensure the smooth operation of the broadcasting network."

Bidding farewell to the information "guardians," and saying goodbye to the majestic Mau Son peak, we will always cherish the technical staff at the Mau Son 10KW FM Broadcasting Station who work tirelessly day and night, ensuring that the signal reaches far, accurately, and stably under the harshest weather conditions. Their work may not be glamorous, but it is of immense significance, contributing greatly to the dissemination of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations to the people, especially ethnic minorities in remote areas.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nhung-nguoi-gac-song-tren-dinh-mau-son-5050374.html