A general who loves journalism.

He provided guidance and direction for the development of two military media outlets during the era of Industry 4.0 and digital media: the People's Army Newspaper and the Military Radio and Television Center.

On the evening of May 18, 2023, the 10th anniversary of the "National Defense for All" television channel was celebrated with a grand and attractive gala, attended by many senior leaders and former leaders from within and outside the military. Associate Professor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung, former Deputy Head of the General Political Department, arrived early and was one of the last generals to leave, sharing the joy with friends, younger colleagues, and comrades who had worked alongside him in building and developing the national military and defense broadcast channel.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung at the ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the "Vietnam National Defense" television channel's broadcast, May 19, 2023.

At a meeting with generals associated with the Central Highlands Front on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the Fatherland, President Vo Van Thuong cordially mentioned Lieutenant General Nguyen Quoc Thuoc, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, former member of the Central Committee of the Party, former Commander of the 3rd Corps, former Commander of Military Region IV, former National Assembly delegate; and Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung, Associate Professor, PhD - former Deputy Head of the General Political Department, former Political Commissar and Party Secretary of the 3rd Corps - Central Highlands Army Corps. President Vo Van Thuong highly appreciated the contributions of these generals.

Nguyen Tuan Dung was born in 1952. He left his hometown of Duc Dong, Duc Tho, Ha Tinh province to enlist in the army on April 26, 1970, when the resistance war against the US was entering its final and most intense phase. Three years later, on April 26, 1973, he was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam and was sent by his unit to train as a political officer at the Political Academy of the Ministry of National Defense .

For Nguyen Tuan Dung, the vision of "Culture - Ideology - Journalism" was ingrained in his blood from the moment he entered adulthood, heavily influenced by his father, a former enthusiastic, energetic, and diligent Youth Union official.

In March 1976, the group of reporters who formed the People's Army Newspaper, including myself (PQT), Nguyen Hong Phuong (former Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association); Nguyen Quang Thong (Major General, former Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper); Pham Ngoc Thien (former Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Committee on Citizen Petitions); and Colonel Nguyen Hai Duc, journalist and editorial secretary, were transferred to the Political Academy for advanced intermediate-level teacher training in political theory.

Nguyen Tuan Dung and I were assigned to the same cadet squad, studying the theory of Scientific Socialism. The country was overflowing with the euphoria of victory, and in the context of a bureaucratic, centrally planned economy no longer suitable for the new conditions, we studied under extremely difficult circumstances. The bonds of camaraderie between teacher and student, and among cadets, grew stronger as we overcame these challenges together.

Whether as a trainee in the mid-level and senior-level political theory instructor training program or as a postgraduate student abroad, Nguyen Tuan Dung left a profound impression: intelligent, academically excellent, achieving outstanding scores in exams; thoughtful, sharp in his reasoning, and clear in his opinions. Clearly demonstrating a talent for journalism and a passion for learning journalistic skills, Nguyen Tuan Dung was already an active contributor to the People's Army Newspaper at that time, receiving numerous awards from the newspaper.

Retained as a lecturer and key personnel in the field of political and ideological affairs within the military, Nguyen Tuan Dung quickly demonstrated his ability in teaching theory and conducting independent research. In October 1984, he was sent to study at the VI Lenin Military Political Academy in the Soviet Union, where he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Philosophy. In 1996, based on his innovative research works, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Dung was recognized by the State as an Associate Professor.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung at Truong Sa Island, May 2023.

Nguyen Tuan Dung was appointed Deputy Head of the Department of Scientific Socialism at the Political Academy in 1989; Head of the Department in 1995; Deputy Director of the Academy in 2000; held the important position of Deputy Commander of Political Affairs, Secretary of the Party Committee of the 3rd Corps - Central Highlands Army in 2022; Political Commissar, Secretary of the Party Committee of the 3rd Corps in 2006 - the main army corps defending the border region of the Central Highlands.

In December 2007, Nguyen Tuan Dung was transferred to the strategic agency in Hanoi – Deputy Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army. In 2003, he was promoted to Major General; in December 2007, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He is well-trained, has strong management skills, fosters unity, is diligent and courageous, and is exemplary in both words and deeds.

As Deputy Head of the General Political Department, assigned to oversee the ideological and cultural field, including the press agencies and activities throughout the army, Nguyen Tuan Dung quickly grasped the work, accurately identified many outstanding issues at the grassroots level, and promptly advised the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and directly the General Political Department to make timely and effective leadership and guidance decisions. He also handled complex situations quickly and efficiently, contributing to maintaining the ideological and cultural front in the Army.

In the fields of ideological management, journalism, and arts and culture, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung diligently researched, quickly grasped information, and provided sharp, persuasive guidance. Not only did he possess the ability to inspire and persuade when lecturing and conveying Party resolutions, but Nguyen Tuan Dung also had the ability to express his own opinions through language. Many of Nguyen Tuan Dung's articles, essays, and research papers published in Party and military newspapers and magazines are exemplary in their viewpoints, logically sound in their arguments, and sharp in their language, making them widely impactful to readers.

He said, "Writing articles helps to sharpen and enhance one's theoretical thinking and understanding of current events ." In recent years, after stepping down from his managerial duties, Associate Professor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung has written articles on "The Standards for Using Social Media"; "Contributing to the Healthy Use of Social Media" ... published in the Journalist Magazine (Vietnam Journalists Association), broadcast on national television, and highly appreciated by the public.

Associate Professor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung is a book lover and diligently reads every day. He said, "Books are a treasure trove of knowledge that helps us grow and mature." Not only is he passionate about books, but despite his advanced age, he still visits grassroots units and maintains close ties with his comrades and colleagues. In May 2023, on the occasion of the 133rd anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth, and after being awarded the 50-year Party Membership Badge for the third time, Nguyen Tuan Dung sailed across the East Sea to join his comrades in the heroic Truong Sa Islands – the frontier islands of the Fatherland.

In 2000, at the Conference honoring outstanding intellectuals in Hanoi, Nguyen Tuan Dung was named an "Outstanding Intellectual." The Party's theoretical media channels interviewed Associate Professor, Doctor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung on issues of concern to intellectuals, focusing on the Party's core views on the path to socialism in Vietnam; building a professional, regular, and progressively modern Vietnamese People's Army; protecting the Party's ideological foundation, combating peaceful evolution, and preventing self-evolution and self-transformation; and standards for using social media... A general who loves journalism, as he often confided, said: "Through my pen and writing, I strive to improve myself, learn, and elevate my theoretical understanding."

Associate Professor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung is humble. For him, the role of the collective is paramount; unity, love, and wholehearted dedication to comrades and colleagues—one for all. He wholeheartedly shares and helps comrades and colleagues facing difficulties. At the age of seventy, with his children grown and successful, Associate Professor, Lieutenant General Nguyen Tuan Dung turns his attention more towards his roots and homeland.

His wife, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, played the role of an excellent assistant, contributing her efforts and intellect to his work. In his old age, Nguyen Tuan Dung cultivated and cared for his fruit orchard. The delicious oranges, sweet pomelos, and Luc Ngan lychees he cultivated and collected were not only a source of joy but also a gathering place for friends, comrades, and colleagues. Many comrades and friends were quite surprised by General Dung's knowledge of "agriculture" !

Gleaming on his chest were the Second Class Military Merit Order, the First Class Resistance Order, the First, Second, and Third Class Glorious Soldier Orders; the Victory Banner Medal, the 50-Year Party Membership Badge, talent and virtue were seamlessly integrated in this general who loved journalism.

June 2023

Pham Quoc Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mot-vi-tuong-yeu-nghe-bao-post252453.html