The enduring journey of "messengers" on the front lines

During the 80-year journey (1945-2025), from the first branches during the resistance war until now, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has built a widespread network with 34 permanent offices in the country and 30 permanent offices abroad.

Across the country as well as at international hotspots, VNA reporters are always present in a timely manner, recording real moments of life, bringing the public accurate and reliable information, anytime, anywhere.

Not only contributing to affirming its position as the strategic and official information agency of the Party and State, VNA also becomes a bridge to bring Vietnam's image to the world , bringing the world closer to Vietnam; at the same time, maintaining the trust and love of domestic readers through each news line, each photo, each film.

VNA reporters wrote a series of articles titled "Network of resident agencies, the strength that builds the brand" to share about the contributions of the team of reporters from resident agencies at home and abroad - unique advantages, factors that create a total strength that contributes to affirming the role of the country's key multimedia news agency, contributing to the growth of the Vietnamese revolutionary press system in the new period.

Across the country, from the mountainous Northwest, the sunny Central region, the Mekong Delta to the remote islands, the footprints of VNA reporters are always present.

Regardless of floods, landslides, road cuts or sleepless nights in border areas, they are silent messengers, promptly reflecting the breath of life from the most difficult places.

It is the network of domestic resident agencies that has created the strength to keep VNA's news stream hot, playing the role of "information flag" in today's vibrant life.

Along with national history

The history of VNA is closely linked to the history of the national revolution and the journey of building a permanent agency system is one of its important milestones.

On September 15, 1945, from Bach Mai Radio Station, Vietnam News Agency (VNTTX) - the press agency founded and named by President Ho Chi Minh , broadcast to the world the Declaration of Independence in three languages: Vietnamese, English and French, announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

That historic date was an important milestone in the process of formation, construction and development of Vietnam News Agency (VNTTX), now VNA. Immediately after its establishment, VNA staff, reporters, editors, technical workers, together with the army and people of the whole country, entered the long-term resistance war against the invading French colonialists.

In the mountains and forests of Viet Bac, VNA reporters set up work huts and established the first branches to promptly report news from the war zone. The reporters worked in extremely poor conditions: paper and pens were scarce, cameras and typewriters were few and old; news was transmitted by telegraph code, often through liaison trips through forests and streams.

Reporter Duong Giang (Photo Editorial Board) works at the landslide area in Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province (2024). (Photo: VNA)

Following President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "The faster the news, the faster the resistance will win," they were present on every battlefield, both participating in combat and recording historical news and images to provide to the Party Central Committee, the Government and media agencies.

It can be said that the reporters of VNA at that time were both journalists and real soldiers. Contributing to the heroic history of VNA during the resistance war against the US to save the country, we cannot fail to mention the position and role of the Liberation News Agency (LPNA) - the extended arm of VNA in the South.

During 15 years of operation (1960-1975), VNA and the Vietnam News Agency always stood side by side in every battle to have news and photos reflecting the fierceness of the war as well as the patriotic spirit of the liberation army soldiers and the people of the South.

During those difficult years, some people worked as informants in secret tunnels, others followed the soldiers on the Truong Son road, taking notes, taking photos, and broadcasting hot news amidst the sound of bombs and bullets. Many of them died with their notebooks and pens still in their backpacks.

Once, after broadcasting news, the enemy discovered it and dropped a bomb, killing all three reporters. Another time, the enemy used infantry and helicopters to attack, killing all five officers and reporters.

That sacrifice has become a sacred memory, so that when mentioned today, the young generation of reporters appreciate and are even more proud. The pages of history written with the blood and passion of previous generations are the foundation for VNA to grow, so that each reporter today understands that: behind each line of news they send is not only professional responsibility, but also the continuation of the resilient and indomitable tradition of those who work for the News Agency. After the country's reunification, VNA immediately began to consolidate and expand its network of permanent offices across the country.

The small, scattered branches during the war were upgraded to official permanent offices, gradually covering all provinces and cities. This system was a bridge to bring information from the grassroots to the central government, and at the same time spread official news from the central government to the people.

Reporter Hoang Nga (VNA's Ha Tinh office) interviews veteran Dau Van Tien, who participated in opening a firebreak at the scene of a forest fire in Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province, in July 2019. (Photo: VNA)

Over the past 80 years, from a few initial branches, today VNA has permanent offices in all 34 provinces and cities. Each office has its own unique features of the land where they are attached: from rugged border mountains, fertile deltas to remote seas and islands. Wherever there is the flow of life, there are the footprints of VNA reporters, persistently recording every movement of society, firmly maintaining the official information flow of the country.

Footprints of journalists all over the country

In each land, behind the brief news reports and authentic photos, there are countless stories of life and work. Some people wade through mud all day to record the scene of flash floods in the mountains; some people brave the rain to give their coats to the machines; some people brave the storms to reach the islands to tell stories from the front.

VNA reporter Thao Nguyen and a late lunch with miners underground. (Photo: VNA)

Those memories are both personal milestones and vivid proof of the steadfast journey of the "messengers" on the front lines.

Journalist Pham Hong Ninh, Head of VNA's Lao Cai Bureau, shared: Each reporting trip leaves a special mark, both as a personal memory and as proof of the persistent journey of VNA reporters.

In major events, especially natural disasters, official information becomes extremely important. After nearly 30 years as a reporter, having worked in many locations and experienced many types of news, for journalist Hong Ninh, the work trip to Lang Nu still left many special memories.

On the muddy road, exhausted from the rain and floods, he was given a box of dry food by the soldiers with the words "Search and rescue" printed on it.

Holding the box of dry food, he suddenly became silent: it was the product of the company where his parents had worked all their lives. In the midst of hardship, the feeling of having his family right beside him, giving him the strength to complete his mission, made him extremely emotional.

From that unexpected opportunity, he realized that each reporting trip is not only about recording events, but also contains very ordinary emotions, to deepen his memories of journalism.

Reporter of VNA's Dien Bien office Trinh Xuan Tu crosses a fast-flowing stream with the help of Border Guard soldiers to promptly report on the flood situation in the area, July 2024. (Photo: VNA)

More than 12 years of working in Dien Bien - the land in the extreme Northwest with many difficulties - has left journalist Trinh Xuan Tu with countless memories, with both joys and many challenges. What makes him most proud of being a resident reporter of VNA in Dien Bien is being able to directly live and reflect the real life in the border area.

On this land of many deprivations, a picture rich in historical tradition, culture and national identity also appears. Each news, article and photo sent back not only records the event, but also spreads the determination, aspiration to rise up and the daily changes of this land.

While in the northern mountainous provinces, unforgettable memories for reporters are often working in floods and flash floods, for reporters in the southern region working in coastal and river areas, it brings unforgettable experiences in other ways.

Journalist Le Huy Hai, Head of VNA's permanent office in An Giang, shared: An Giang is a special land, with a long border, cultural and religious diversity, and often facing hot issues such as smuggling, natural disasters and riverbank erosion.

Working here is not easy: every flood season, traveling is extremely difficult, going to the sea and islands requires complete dependence on boats, many trips have to wait for favorable weather and the waves always challenge reporters in carrying equipment.

"But it is these difficulties that make the work more meaningful. Each trip, each story reminds us that journalism is not just a job, but also a mission - to help people understand, share and accompany our compatriots in remote areas. Each VNA reporter in An Giang in particular or the Mekong Delta in general is always aware of and upholds the principles of honesty, objectivity, responsiveness and humanity. They constantly learn and innovate to meet the increasingly high demands of the public, preserving the ethical identity of revolutionary journalists," Huy Hai shared.

For journalist Vo Manh Thanh, Head of the VNA Office in Quang Tri, this historic land offers a completely new experience compared to the previous locations he worked in. Here, he has the opportunity to meet many historical witnesses, veterans and people, to preserve memories of fierce battles and remaining battlefield relics.

Each of his articles and photos not only reflects the reality of life, but also contributes to preserving valuable historical stories, helping the public better understand this land, where the past and present intersect, to further appreciate the value of peace.

The network of domestic representative offices not only helps VNA promptly access events, natural disasters, and social changes, but also serves as a foundation for the news agency to maintain its strategic and official role, while affirming its reputation in the public eye.

Each successive generation of reporters are not only news reporters, but also living witnesses, recording the rhythm and breath of life of the community, truly reflecting the lives and efforts of the people to overcome difficulties.

It is this perseverance, dedication and spirit of devotion that has helped VNA affirm its key role in providing official information, guiding public opinion, and spreading the image of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people in a profound, close but also responsible way./.

Lesson 2: A bridge to bring information and images of Vietnam to the world

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hanh-trinh-ben-bi-cua-nhung-nguoi-dua-tin-noi-tuyen-dau-post1061190.vnp