They chose journalism as a profession.

Comprising more than half of the province's journalistic workforce, female journalists have made significant contributions to journalism in Thai Nguyen. Many of these women, despite working in fields unrelated to their training, always strive for self-improvement and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their work. For them, every step is a reflection of their innermost feelings.

To keep pace with modern journalism – multimedia journalism – in addition to writing articles and taking photos, many female journalists at Thai Nguyen Newspaper have become familiar with filmmaking. In the photo: Journalist Hue Dinh at work on location.

The profession chooses the person.

Before taking the university entrance exam, I never intended to become a journalist. During the 1995 university entrance exam, despite being a literature major, I only chose economics- related majors from the three universities I applied to. The Journalism Faculty of Hanoi University (now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) was just an additional school I applied to. However, while my friends received their university acceptance letters, I received no information at all. Just when I was anxiously waiting, I received my acceptance letter from the Journalism Faculty. My parents quickly made arrangements for me to enroll. Less than two weeks into my studies, my family received another acceptance letter from the University of Economics and Finance (now the Hanoi Academy of Finance). I was so happy to hear that news that I quickly withdrew my application from Hanoi University to transfer to my desired program, but the university refused, citing that the class sizes had already been established. I was sad for several days, lost in thought, but in the end I had to accept my fate… I became a journalist out of necessity.

After graduating and joining Thai Nguyen Newspaper, I was quite unfamiliar with everything, from the methods of reporting at the grassroots level to gathering information and producing articles. Journalism is difficult if you don't strive every day. My perseverance and willingness to learn from senior colleagues have helped me gradually mature. Now, in my 25th year in the profession, I can sum it up in three words: Always innovating. This means renewing my thinking and knowledge by reading extensively to acquire more knowledge. It means innovating in each piece of work to avoid repetition. In particular, I must keep pace with new journalistic methods – multimedia journalism – by writing concisely and succinctly; taking photos with beautiful compositions; and shooting videos with vivid images and rich information…

When a Math graduate becomes a journalist

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Viet Bac Teacher Training University (now Thai Nguyen University of Education, Thai Nguyen University) in 1994, journalist Luu Thi Bach Lieu (from the Thai Nguyen Provincial Journalists Association Office) initially chose to become a police officer. However, to fulfill her passion, she switched to journalism in 2004. She said: "When I first started, I didn't find journalism difficult because I always wrote about issues I understood. Later, when I started working on topics in different fields, I realized that journalism is not easy at all. Especially with interviews with provincial leaders, leaders of departments and agencies, or investigative articles that require interviews with relevant authorities."

Journalist Bach Lieu diligently visits local areas to bring the breath of life into her journalistic works.

To improve herself, she spent a lot of time reading books on journalism, researching documents from the fields she was assigned to cover, such as reports and projects from various sectors and localities, and reading articles on related topics. Committed to her profession, journalist Bach Lieu never shied away from difficulties or hardships. She shared: "Besides self-study, I diligently go to the field to understand the reality, especially in remote villages and hamlets in the highlands, where people's living conditions are still very difficult. Listening to and experiencing what happens in life helps journalists gain more practical knowledge to create the most vivid works..."

Not afraid of hard work

Journalist Thu Hien (Thai Nguyen Provincial Radio and Television Station) is one of the outstanding writers in Thai Nguyen's journalism scene. In her 25 years in the profession, she has amassed a wealth of awards, including many works that have won national journalism awards or awards organized by central ministries and agencies. Speaking about her profession, she always expresses a deep love for the work she has chosen.

She said: "Women journalists face much greater challenges than men, having to balance their roles as wives and mothers with frequent fieldwork. Especially when working on series or articles, women feel more pressure than men in managing their time to complete tasks on schedule. Despite this, my female colleagues and I have never given up because we are not afraid of pressure."

Journalist Lieu Thu Nga is quick to grasp and apply technology to her professional work.

As a younger journalist, Thu Nga (from Thai Nguyen Newspaper) always learns from her senior colleagues in carrying out her duties. For her, learning from, participating in, and collaborating with her predecessors is a great fortune. Therefore, regardless of day or night, rain or shine, when the agency's leaders summon her and assign her tasks, she is always ready. She said: "For several years now, I haven't had the opportunity to take my children to the opening ceremony of the new school year like other mothers because I'm often assigned to cover the opening ceremonies. I don't consider it a hardship or a disadvantage; I always put my responsibility as a journalist first."

For journalist Kim Ngan (Thai Nguyen Literature and Arts Magazine), working in dangerous conditions and through the night is no longer uncommon. Once, to gather evidence of environmental pollution caused by wastewater discharge, she had to work at night in a remote, uninhabited rice field. She said: "These experiences have made me love and cherish this profession even more – a profession full of difficulties and hardships, but also one I am very proud of."

Journalism is a difficult, arduous, and dangerous profession, and it's even more challenging for female journalists. Female journalists in Thai Nguyen all share a common trait: a love for their profession, a willingness to make sacrifices, and a dedication to their chosen work. But alongside their own efforts, they also greatly need the support and understanding of their loved ones.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/ho-da-chon-nghe-bao-eb72274/