A journalist with the soul of a poet.
When mentioning those who have dedicated their love to Thai Nguyen through poetry, many will remember the author Ba Luan. He was born in Hung Yen but lived in Thai Nguyen for over four decades. He was a teacher, journalist, and poet who left his mark on the literary and artistic life of Thai Nguyen.
 |
| Journalist and author Ba Luan (real name Nguyen Thanh Luan - Former Director of Thai Nguyen Radio and Television Station). |
When mentioning the author Ba Luan, it's impossible not to mention the poem "Love of the River" (written in 1992), which was included in the local Literature curriculum of Thai Nguyen province (in 2021).
In the verses: “The Cau River flows gently / Amidst the fragrance of tea and rice / The Cau River is like a silk ribbon / Embracing Thai Nguyen in its heart…”, the river is not only a natural image but also becomes a symbol of love for the homeland. That river carries within it the memories, history, and aspirations for development of the poetic land along the Cau River.
Author Ba Luan has many poems about Thai Nguyen that have been set to music and are loved by many listeners in Thai Nguyen. Among them, the two songs "Thai Nguyen, My Love," set to music by composer Thien Son, and "City by the Cau River," set to music by composer Thuan Yen, perfectly capture the author Ba Luan's feelings and affection for the land of Thai Nguyen.
What is valuable about Ba Luận's poetry is the blend of the realistic material of a journalist with the emotions of an artist. He writes about Thái Nguyên not only through observation but also through gratitude. From the aroma of Tân Cương tea, the Cầu River, the villages, the simple people, to the rhythm of the changing city, everything enters his poetry with a quiet yet enduring love.
Now at a venerable age, author and journalist Ba Luan still diligently writes poetry, always dedicating heartfelt and lyrical verses to the land of Tra, proudly reflecting the revolutionary traditions and history of Thai Nguyen.
Preserving the spirit of the mountains and forests through poetry and journalism.
Among the poet-journalists of the Viet Bac region, Ma Phuong Tan is a figure who has left a distinct mark. His poems are not elaborate in language, nor do they lean towards philosophical discourse or complex techniques; instead, they captivate readers with sincerity. They are the voice of a soul that grew up amidst the mountains and forests, carrying the breath of the Tay, Dao, and Mong villages, the sounds of the then and luon dances, the streams, and the simple rhythm of life in the mountainous region.
Readers who love poetry from Thai Nguyen often remember Ma Phuong Tan through his poem "When We Are Apart," with its familiar lines: "When we are apart / There are so many memories / The one who leaves, the song remains / The heartbeat is filled with longing..."
 |
| Journalist and author Ma Phuong Tan (real name Ma Dinh Viet - Former Director of Bac Kan Radio and Television Station). |
"When We Part Ways" was written in the 1980s and later set to music by composer Quế Loan. This work brought Ma Phương Tân closer to the literary public. As a journalist, Ma Phương Tân had the opportunity to travel extensively and interact with many different places and people.
Those experiences became valuable material for his poetry. But unlike the realistic approach of a journalist, in his poetry, reality is always illuminated by love and tenderness.
The journalistic quality in Ma Phuong Tan's poetry helps it take deep root in life; while the poetic quality makes his professional experiences softer and more emotionally rich. Poetry collections such as "The Call from the Mountaintop," "When We Are Apart," and "The Call of Love"... are not only the fruits of his artistic labor but also a testament to his profound love for his homeland, its people, and its national culture.
For Ma Phuong Tan, poetry is not only a way to express emotions but also a way to preserve the soul of the Viet Bac mountains and forests. And that is precisely the valuable contribution of a journalist with a poetic soul to contemporary cultural life.
A fusion of femininity, journalism, and poetry.
In today's generation, Ha Hong Hanh is one of the exemplary figures representing the intersection between journalism and poetry. Born in Dai Tu, raised in Bac Kan as a journalist, and currently working at Thai Nguyen Newspaper, Radio, and Television, she is gradually asserting her position in contemporary poetry.
 |
| Journalist and author Ha Hong Hanh (Deputy Head of Print and Electronic Media Department, Thai Nguyen Newspaper and Television Station). |
Ha Hong Hanh's path to poetry also began in journalism. The years spent managing literary pages, the work trips, and the professional experiences helped her accumulate material for her creative work. But what makes Ha Hong Hanh's work unique lies in her poetic voice, rich in femininity, intuition, and deeply imbued with the cultural atmosphere of the highlands.
Her poetry collection "Dialogue with Shadows," published in 2025, earned her the C Prize from the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts in 2025. Following that, her poetry collection "I Lay a Carpet Waiting for You," published in 2026, further affirmed a more mature, profound, and contemplative poetic voice.
While journalism honed her ability to observe life, poetry became her dialogue with herself. Many of her poems not only tell stories of romantic love but also chronicle journeys of self -discovery and the search for healing after life's wounds.
Looking from Ba Luan and Ma Phuong Tan to Ha Hong Hanh, we can see a common thread among these journalists who write poetry: they all possess a deep love for people and their homeland. Journalism helps them get closer to life, while poetry helps them delve deeper into that life.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202606/khi-cac-nha-bao-la-nha-tho-aba5a44/
![[Photo] Thousands of people participate in a run to show their support for the campaign "Sharing a common determination to build drug-free communes, wards, and special zones".](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/27/1782554475933_0673e2a3df7b5e25076a-8283-jpg.webp)
