Memories of the past

Strolling beneath the vibrant carpets of summer flowers, memories of the past suddenly flashed before my eyes. On these same streets, I saw people waiting and jostling around the sidewalk newsstands.

I still vividly remember the feeling of holding a newspaper in my hands, inhaling the scent of each page, and devouring every word like a poor student back then. Whenever I happened to buy or get old newspapers and magazines, after reading them, I would smooth them out and neatly arrange them next to my old study desk. No one dared touch that special possession without my permission.

On my first day at university, I was overwhelmed when I first flipped through the pages of a newspaper still smelling of fresh ink. For students like me, it took several days of skipping breakfast to save enough money to buy a new newspaper. To save as much as possible, I often went to used newsstands to buy them, or even... "read them secretly," sometimes exchanging newspapers with fellow enthusiasts.

At that time, newspapers were like a source of intellectual nourishment for almost everyone. The sight of people crowding and waiting around newsstands every morning became all too familiar to the city's residents.

It's the office worker stopping by newsstands to buy a few of his favorite newspapers before going to work. It's the motorbike taxi driver perched on his bike parked under a tree, flipping through the newspaper whenever there are no customers... From restaurants to street food stalls, from fancy cafes to roadside tea shops, they eat, drink, and read the latest issue of the newspaper. They excitedly discuss a famous actor or some other important figure...

Until we graduated and pursued our passion for writing, the first thing we journalists did each morning was rush to the newsstand to see what interesting or trending news was in the newspaper.

I used to be so passionate about it, but one day I suddenly realized I couldn't even remember when I'd given up this habit. Instead of carrying a stack of newspapers, readers can sit at home and browse on their phones or computers, still getting the most detailed and up-to-date information quickly. In an era where the faster and more up-to-date the news, the more it attracts readers, paper newspapers are like an old, traditional dish, gradually losing their place on the information table.

It's not just young people and intellectuals anymore; nowadays, even motorbike taxi drivers, small business owners, and grocery store owners enjoy reading newspapers on their phones and iPads.

Social media has become the focal point of attention, catering to readers' needs and preferences, from current events, shopping information, promotions, fashion , healthcare, to hundreds of other topics... And then, social media became a connecting thread for readers; people began to prefer reading news online, liking what others shared, rather than searching for information themselves.

And so, readers are increasingly moving away from print newspapers. With just a click, they can comment, share, and like what they read online. Readers can even act as on-the-spot reporters, commenting, recording videos , and live-streaming on social media, delivering the latest and most up-to-date information, before traditional media outlets get involved. This is not to mention the fact that if breaking news is spread on social media, journalists have to investigate, while the information on social media may be false, used simply to... attract views.

So, for over 20 years, I've been a part of this city, witnessing its daily changes.

Streets in Thanh Hoa city that used to have many newspaper stalls, such as Le Lai, Duong Dinh Nghe, and Nguyen Trai, are now devoid of any sign of them. Only Tran Phu street has a few scattered newspaper stalls remaining, as if trying to preserve the memory of "a golden age."

Calling them newsstands sounds fancy, but to ensure income, most newsstands also sell soft drinks, phone cards, and other necessities. Perhaps people maintain these newspapers out of habit, as if wanting to cling to something of a bygone era.

"Nowadays, young people aren't interested in print newspapers; only older readers or those without internet access remain. However, even this type of readership is very small. Newspaper vendors are increasingly shrinking, and print newspapers are losing market share," a newspaper stand owner told me with a somber tone.

Perhaps, for those who value words, who enjoy deep reading and a slower pace of life, the feeling of holding a newspaper in their hands is far more meaningful than scrolling through a phone. And they feel a sense of regret mixed with sadness when they see newsstands disappearing one by one.

People these days love breaking news and sensational headlines. Even old motorbike taxi drivers and vegetable stall owners in the market, when they have free time, take out their phones to browse. And you can't blame anyone, because with just a swipe or a tap, people can practically hold the whole world in their hands.

The dwindling number of newsstands in the city is clear evidence of this change. Now, to buy a physical newspaper, readers have to pinpoint a specific place to buy it, rather than simply buying it wherever they come across it as in previous years.

Perhaps, one day, sidewalk newsstands will no longer be able to keep up with the pace of today's information technology. And then, the cries of "newspapers here, newspapers here!" will only remain in our memories...

And those patient, humble sidewalk newsstands still possess a simple, endearing beauty in the heart of the city. There's a touch of regret, mixed with sadness, when watching these newsstands gradually disappear.

Ha Dan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-uc-mua-cu-252730.htm