Journalism is not just a profession…

When I was young, I had a deep impression of Dong Nai Literature and Arts. My father often bought books and newspapers for his children, usually the Soviet illustrated magazine, the Red Scarf Newspaper and the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Newspaper.

Design: Nguyen Duc Nhu Uyen

The newspaper was not as beautiful as the illustrated newspaper, nor did it have thrilling and attractive comics. The Dong Nai Literature and Arts Newspaper at that time was large, with small letters, printed on ivory paper, but my father loved to read it. It was not until I grew up that I understood why my father paid so much attention, because there were poems, memoirs, short stories... about people of my father's generation, people who had just gone through the war and were building and protecting the country, protecting the achievements that our nation had gained after many decades...

When I was in 9th grade, I was called to join the provincial literature team. I had a big turning point in my life when I met literature teachers such as Mr. Nguyen Sy Ba, Tieu Thanh Giang, Tran Ngoc Vinh... My exam was rewritten by the teacher and sent to Dong Nai Newspaper - that was an unforgettable honor for me.

This article is also a deep gratitude to the teachers and colleagues who helped me come to journalism, live with journalism, to immerse myself in life every day and gradually improve myself...

Entering high school, I learned literature from excellent teachers, later on Excellent Teachers such as Ms. Tran Thi Chau Thuong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong. I started to participate in literary writing camps, meeting writers and literature teachers of Dong Nai province. From there, I got to know writers Hoang Van Bon, Nguyen Duc Tho, Dam Chu Van, Khoi Vu (Nguyen Thai Hai) ... who are professional writers of Dong Nai Literature and Arts. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship for excellent students of the province, among the awards was a book titled Universe by writer Hoang Van Bon. In it were a number of articles expressing his views on writing.

The article haunted me for a long time. And from that, I learned a great lesson that there are no "talents" in literature and art as well as in any other field. Every job requires diligence, hard work, and even hard work. Dong Nai Literature and Arts has been my friend since childhood, but I came to this magazine as a journalist quite late, due to the requirements of the job. Besides composing, I started writing news and short articles from the suggestion and guidance of writer Khoi Vu (Nguyen Thai Hai), Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dong Nai Literature and Arts magazine. Then I practiced being an editorial secretary under the direction of poet Dam Chu Van, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of the Association. From then on, I started writing memoirs - a genre quite close to both literature and journalism - because poet Dam Chu Van often mentioned the advice of writer Hoang Van Bon when he was alive: to work in literary journalism, one must know how to write memoirs, in order to have works that carry the breath of life and the times.

Working for a literary newspaper is really fun and interesting, because I get to read more works, meet many writers in and outside the province; at the same time, I also develop my writing ability. However, looking back at this period, I see that I am still not a real journalist and do not really understand the characteristics of “working for a literary newspaper” like Van Nghe Dong Nai.

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I was fortunate to work for nearly 3 years at a newspaper, which has now merged with Dong Nai Newspaper: Dong Nai Labor Newspaper. From there, I “realized” that journalism requires a lot of skills, not only approaching and exploiting topics, but also knowing how to do them effectively. I realized the close connection between literature and art and journalism - each person, each story, or issue, event… written in the newspaper has a very specific life, which is a lively and attractive material for writing. Another problem is knowing how to regulate emotions so as not to confuse journalism with literature, to convince readers, convince colleagues…

When I went to write for the newspaper, I eagerly followed the reporters to take photos, report news, conduct interviews... I still remember, trying to get the required illustrative photos, without a good camera in hand, I often paid attention to where the reporters stood, what angle the camera was set, and I did the same. When writing news and articles about major issues and events, I also often read other newspapers to learn how skilled reporters handled them. An interesting thing is that I learned many ways to express literary and artistic topics, about authors and works... from other journalists, through different perspectives. Since then, when I write, I am less emotional and have more connection with life. I have had many very valuable teachers in journalism, who always encouraged and motivated me to write for the newspaper, and at the same time find a way to balance between journalism and literary creation.

Returning to Dong Nai Literature and Arts Magazine, I was not really confident in my knowledge of journalism. However, the tasks and goals that needed to be completed always urged everyone to try hard and overcome difficulties and challenges. Dong Nai Literature and Arts Magazine in particular, and the journalism life of the province in general, created wonderful ferment, brought me new emotions, and helped me to have a greater sense of responsibility for my writing.

Besides, talking about journalism is talking about the “kitchen” work that is always busy, and after completing articles, newspaper pages, newspaper issues… journalists can enjoy moments of refreshment and happiness - often very short. To serve readers well, bring positive messages of life, journalists must maintain professional ethics and positive energy for themselves and their colleagues.

I appreciate and deeply understand that from teachers and colleagues who not only have love and passion, but also know how to sacrifice for journalism, for the journalism career of the country. I have seen that from Dong Nai Newspaper, the newspaper I have worked with in recent years and received a certificate of merit from Editor-in-Chief Dao Van Tuan. Dong Nai Newspaper has implemented the motto "Spreading good things" by bringing good and positive things of life to everyone, and through the image, efforts and solidarity of the agency's collective.

Tran Thu Hang

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202506/lam-bao-khong-chi-la-mot-nghe-3700cf5/