A loyal heart

(CLO) On the morning of November 1st, the Vietnam Journalists Association organized a seminar and thematic exhibition: "Journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau: A steadfast heart," coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of journalist Ly Van Sau (November 5, 1924 – November 5, 2024).

Attending the seminar were Comrade Pham Quang Nghi, former member of the Politburo and former Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee; journalist Le Quoc Minh, member of the Central Committee of the Party, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; journalist Le Hai Binh, alternate member of the Central Executive Committee of the Party and Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine; journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; journalist Vu Viet Trang, Director General of the Vietnam News Agency; journalist Nguyen The Ky, Chairman of the Central Council for Theoretical Studies of Literature and Arts; journalist Pham Manh Hung, Deputy Director General of the Voice of Vietnam Radio ; and other leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, leaders of press agencies, units, and localities.

Seminar and Exhibition: Journalist and Diplomat Ly Van Sau: A Heart of Unwavering Loyalty.

Affirming the character, talent, creativity, intelligence, and ingenuity of a revolutionary journalist.

In his opening remarks at the seminar, journalist Le Quoc Minh stated that, born during a turbulent period in the country, Ly Van Sau embarked on a challenging and arduous journalistic career at a very young age. He actively participated in the propaganda activities of the National Salvation Youth Team, was assigned the position of Head of the Information Department of Khanh Hoa province, and became the editor-in-chief of Thang newspaper (the predecessor of today's Khanh Hoa newspaper). He worked in both Vietnamese and French-language journalism before moving to radio broadcasting at the Voice of the Southern Region V radio station.

Forged and nurtured in the vibrant environment of resistance journalism, Ly Van Sau strived to overcome difficulties, persistently studied politics, honed his professional skills, and sharpened his pen to successfully complete all assigned tasks.

Journalist Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, delivered the opening remarks at the seminar.

In 1954, after relocating to North Vietnam, Ly Van Sau continued his work in foreign information and propaganda, participating in the permanent delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in Cuba. He became an advisor and spokesperson for the delegation of the Front and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference. Ly Van Sau's name transcended Vietnamese borders, resonating in numerous international forums and events. There, he brilliantly demonstrated the character, talent, creativity, intelligence, and skill of a revolutionary journalist in his foreign information and propaganda activities.

After the country was reunified, this man, who described himself as "living with journalism, dying with journalism," continued to make significant contributions to the fields of radio and television broadcasting, news agencies, the activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association, and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association.

Journalist Le Quoc Minh emphasized: Regardless of his position or job, journalist Ly Van Sau dedicated his heart and soul, completely devoting the best years of his life to the revolutionary ideal and the cause of revolutionary journalism. The life and career of journalist Ly Van Sau have proven the noble qualities of a revolutionary journalist, a journalist-soldier, living and writing for the benefit of the country and the happiness of the people.

A thematic exhibition on journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association stated: "The thematic exhibition and scientific seminar on journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau will help us better understand the contributions and immense legacy left by previous generations for future generations. It will also serve as a reminder, inspiration, and encouragement for today's young generation, fostering pride, increasing aspirations, and encouraging strong efforts in the journey of innovation and integration."

At the seminar, veteran journalist Ha Dang shared that Mr. Ly Van Sau was a passionate, dynamic, and creative journalist. Journalist Ha Dang recalled that at the Paris Conference, Mr. Ly Van Sau served as an advisor to the negotiating delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. He performed his role as the spokesperson for the negotiating delegation well. His five years of activity at the Paris Conference made Ly Van Sau famous as a talented, intelligent, and perceptive journalist who knew how to skillfully handle even the most tense situations.

"As one of the delegation's spokespersons, every week, after each official session of the Conference, he would hold a press conference, directly announcing the Conference's situation and answering journalists' questions. That's not including the impromptu press conferences and the frequent interactions with foreign journalists," journalist Ha Dang recounted.

Veteran journalist Ha Dang, former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former Head of the Central Committee's Ideology and Culture Department, former Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, and former Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine, shared his insights at the seminar.

A brilliant leader and an outstanding journalist.

Journalist Ly Van Sau (1924 – 2012) was one of the intellectual journalists who dedicated the best years of his life to revolutionary ideals, to the struggle for national independence and nation-building. During the two wars of resistance against France and the United States, he co-founded the Thang Newspaper at the young age of 22 (1946); contributed to the establishment of the Voice of Southern Vietnam Radio and the Voice of the South Radio from their early days; and became an outstanding spokesperson for the delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in Paris (1968-1973).

After the country was reunified, he dedicated himself to media management and the professional activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association. He was one of the veteran leaders of Vietnam Television, Vietnam Radio, and Vietnam News Agency, and continued to make significant contributions in the field of diplomacy.

Journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, chaired the seminar.

Sharing his thoughts at the seminar, Comrade Pham Quang Nghi, former member of the Politburo and former Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee, stated that journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau was first and foremost known as a renowned writer, and a talented and reputable leader and manager in the field of journalism and propaganda in the years before and after the August Revolution of 1945.

The former Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee emphasized: Journalist Ly Van Sau was entrusted by the Party and the State with important positions in the country. He was a member and advisor to the Delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, and a spokesperson for the press – a job that always demands exceptional qualities and capabilities. Journalist Ly Van Sau's contributions have resonated widely and are known to people both domestically and internationally.

Comrade Pham Quang Nghi, former member of the Politburo, former Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee.

Sharing his feelings about journalist Ly Van Sau, Chairman of the Central Council for Theoretical Studies of Literature and Arts Nguyen The Ky said: "Regardless of his position, he was always proactive, insightful, careful, and elegant in all his work. He persistently studied foreign languages ​​and honed his journalistic and diplomatic skills."

He wrote articles, gave press interviews, managed content, and improved the quality and efficiency of all assigned tasks. Even after retirement, he remained passionate about his work, participating in the editing of many valuable books about our struggle.

"Journalist Ly Van Sau, along with other intellectuals at that time, created a golden generation full of courage and talent for the revolution... In them were talent and virtue, politics and culture, courage and creativity, brilliant leaders and outstanding journalists... all always went hand in hand and were interconnected," Mr. Nguyen The Ky further shared.

The greatest act of gratitude is learning from and following the example of previous generations.

Journalist Le Hai Binh shared: "Regardless of his position, journalist Ly Van Sau always possessed a fervent patriotism, the heart of a diplomat and journalist devoted to his country. According to journalist Le Hai Binh: 'Our generation has learned so much from him, about journalism and diplomacy. During the difficult and arduous period of the resistance war, he worked with his intellect, patriotism, and dedication, bringing revolutionary newspapers to the war zones and to the people.'"

"We learned from his humility and open-mindedness in all his activities related to journalism and diplomacy. He dedicated his entire life to journalism, writing and publishing articles in the People's Newspaper and the Communist Magazine until the very last moments of his life. And I think that in this life, the greatest way to show gratitude is to learn from and follow the example of previous generations, to be worthy of the dedication and sacrifice of our ancestors," journalist Le Hai Binh emphasized.

Journalist Le Hai Binh, alternate member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine, delivered a speech.

Journalist Tran Duc Nuoi, ​​former Head of the Editorial Secretariat of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, recounted that when journalist Ly Van Sau worked at the Voice of Vietnam Radio, he often met with and gave talks to young journalists. Ly Van Sau believed that: "Journalists must have foresight. Journalists must discover new things. For radio and television, they must be articulate, concise, and succinct."

Journalist Cung Phu Quoc, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, assessed: Journalist Ly Van Sau made a significant contribution to the formation of Thang Newspaper - the predecessor of Khanh Hoa Newspaper today. It was also from Thang Newspaper that the portrait of a passionate and dedicated journalist, Ly Van Sau, began to be formed. Later, even when holding high positions in major Party and State media agencies, journalist Ly Van Sau always maintained a deep affection for Khanh Hoa Newspaper...

Thanking the delegates for their contributions and discussions at the seminar, journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, said that this was an opportunity to look back and honor journalist Ly Van Sau - one of the outstanding figures who made worthy contributions to the development of revolutionary journalism in Vietnam. This is one of the meaningful activities of the nationwide press community to celebrate the 100th anniversary of revolutionary journalism in Vietnam and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Journalists Association, which will take place in the second quarter of 2025.

The family of journalist Ly Van Sau has donated a number of valuable documents and artifacts to the Vietnam Press Museum, some of which are being published for the first time.

At the exhibition of documents and artifacts, delegates visited nearly 100 documents, artifacts, and images displayed on 10 walls and 5 display cabinets related to the life and career of journalist-diplomat Ly Van Sau, highlighting his contributions to revolutionary journalism and Vietnamese diplomacy in the struggle for national liberation, defense of the Fatherland, and nation-building. Notable examples include documents, artifacts, and images from the time Ly Van Sau worked in Cuba, at the Paris Conference 1968-1973, notebooks, and his journalistic activities…

Also at the seminar, relatives and family members of journalist Ly Van Sau donated to the Vietnam Press Museum a number of valuable documents and artifacts that are being publicly displayed for the first time, such as: a National transistor radio gifted by Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro during the farewell ceremony for Mr. Ly Van Sau's family before their return to Vietnam in August 1966; the typewriter Mr. Ly Van Sau used to write articles and work for newspapers from the 1960s to the early 1980s... and some other documents and artifacts.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-bao-nha-ngoai-giao-ly-van-sau-nguoi-danh-tron-cuoc-doi-minh-cho-ly-tuong-cach-mang-post319405.html