"People on the journey of life" - The beautiful flame multiplies faith.

"People on the Path of Life" - the latest book by journalist and writer Ho Quang Loi, over 500 pages long and containing 50 articles, has just been published by Hanoi Publishing House. Unlike his nine previously published books, most of which are political essays on current events, a genre that is Ho Quang Loi's forte, "People on the Path of Life" is dedicated to the people who have left a profound mark on his nearly 45 years of writing.

The book "People on the Journey of Life" by journalist and writer Ho Quang Loi.

Playing the role of the narrator, Ho Quang Loi The book takes readers on a journey through various realms of memory via encounters spanning from 1994 to 2024. Part I - "People Amidst the Storm" and Part II - "Character" tell the stories of individuals connected to historical events and changes in the country. In Part I, readers hear the story of the ten Lam Ha girls who bravely fought and sacrificed themselves on the artillery platform; of Nguyen Van Gian, the man who fought the Maddox; and of businessman Ho Minh Hoang with his aspirations and pioneering spirit...

In Part II, Ho Quang Loi contributes to "painting" the portraits of high-ranking leaders, those who play a decisive role in the country's development, such as: General Vo Nguyen Giap; General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; former General Secretary Do Muoi; former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu; former President Le Duc Anh; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ; former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai; former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan; former Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi... Titled "Carrying So Much Morality...", Part III of the book contains remarkable writings about artists, journalists, and intellectuals whom the author admires and respects, such as: Journalist Huu Tho, musician Trinh Cong Son, historian Phan Huy Le, journalist Phan Quang, Professor Vu Khieu, musician Hong Dang...

The work concludes with Part IV - "The Light of Conscience," in which the author writes about international friends who love Vietnam, world- renowned figures such as: former French President Francois Mitterrand; former US President Bill Clinton; billionaire Bill Gates; Russian President V. Putin...

At the recent book launch at the Hanoi Library, author Ho Quang Loi shared that he had pondered over the title of his book and decided on "People on the Path of Life," a simple title that encapsulates his thoughts on people in life and in this world. Turning the pages, it's easy to see that the author consistently dedicates deeply humane feelings to his characters.

As when writing about the 32 young volunteers and workers at the "fire zone" of Hoang Mai who sacrificed their lives on April 28, 1966, when a missile fired from an American plane collapsed the cave entrance, Ho Quang Loi wrote: "So many months and days have passed, the sky over Hoang Mai remains a clear blue, the mountains and rocks seem to have healed and turned green again as they were in the past, but those who survived that brutal day can still hear the cries of their comrades emanating from the heart of the mountain, seeping through the cracks in the rocks. Those heartfelt calls expressing love for life... (The heroic and tragic event of Cave Group 4)."

Or when writing about Major General Tran Cong Man (former Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper), the superior whom the author considers his mentor, he dedicated these moving sentences: "I still see his figure leisurely walking across Ly Nam De Street, his silver hair like clouds under the lush green foliage of the familiar old tamarind trees; I still see, under the late-night lamplight, his pen rushing like a bird across the manuscript pages, chasing after fleeting ideas; I still hear his warm, calm voice in simple stories about life and profession" (A Commitment to Innovation and Truth).

Ho Quang Loi is not only a journalist but also a writer. Perhaps that's why, even in his information-rich articles, readers can still sense the sparkling literary quality. "A Person on the Path of Life" further affirms the keen observation and ability to select evocative details of a talented writer. Observing the first visit of French President F. Mitterrand to Dien Bien Phu, the author writes: "The President gazed at the ruined cannons and tanks standing alone in the Muong Thanh plain… Not far from where the President stood were trenches and battle bunkers, traces of the battle preserved so well that 39 years of rain and sun could not erase them. The President listened silently, occasionally glancing around. The basin was so peaceful now! Yet 39 years earlier, during 56 days and nights, the weight of history had been concentrated in this basin, creating one of the most fierce and strangest confrontations in the history of modern warfare." (When President F. Mitterrand arrived at Dien Bien Phu).

While focusing on individuals, author Ho Quang Loi doesn't simply praise them; instead, he places them in the context of the times to clarify the contributions of each individual to the country and its history, whether they are ordinary people or prominent figures, domestic or international. Reading "People on the Path of Life" helps us understand more about the specific individuals who have left their mark on the author's career and life, and also helps us understand more about journalist and writer Ho Quang Loi – a writer always full of creativity, a heart overflowing with humanistic feelings, and a deep appreciation for humanity.

Source