Amateur journalist passionate about writing

They are not journalists, but they regularly have articles published in central and local newspapers and magazines. They write for passion. What they gain is sharing and sending their own concerns about social life to readers. They do not consider themselves journalists, but society respects them and calls them amateur journalists.

Mr. Phan Thai (second from right) on the training ground with officers and soldiers.

I saw a familiar figure riding an old motorbike to the editorial office to submit articles and collect royalties. I shouted: Tran Danh Cu. To be polite, I should call him sir. Nearly 80 years old, his movements are slow, his voice is no longer strong, but every day he still searches his memory, filters information, and racks his brain to write articles on the topics of Party building and local government building.

Before retiring, he worked for the Party at Dong Hy District Party Committee. He spent almost his entire life working for the Party, so he wrote deeply and soulfully about building and rectifying the Party, and was admired by all professional journalists. Once he asked me:

- I usually read and review each article several times.

- Once sir!

He held back a sigh, looked into the distance, and said: Perhaps, you are professional journalists, so after writing, you don't have to read and proofread much. As for me, after writing, I proofread very carefully myself before daring to send it to the editorial office. Moreover, I basically write about the work of building and rectifying the Party, so I don't allow myself to make a single mistake in writing a word. That's why I know my article by heart.

Although he is an amateur journalist, he has won many high prizes in provincial writing competitions. He shared: Writing articles related to my work, the materials are available, I do not have to go anywhere to exploit information. Because of my daily work, I access data sent from party cells, then put it in books, read it many times until I know it by heart. I also ponder to find solutions and initiatives to advise leaders in my field of expertise. That is why, when I sit down to write articles for the newspaper, I write quickly and concisely, without having to struggle with words and data.

That was a few years ago, when he was still strong and steady. Rain or shine, he and other amateur journalists, regardless of hardship, quietly went to the editorial office to send news and articles, taking advantage of the opportunity to earn royalties.

But that was a thing of the past, because now, editorial offices are implementing digitalization, professional and amateur journalists do not have to print articles on paper, but can send them via email; royalties are paid via electronic accounts. But the editorial office, for each writer, is a warm home, where people come to meet, share experiences and professional skills.

I still remember the image of Mr. Nong Quang Hoat ( Thai Nguyen City), a real amateur journalist but almost every day he cycled to the editorial office. He wrote articles lightly, without making big words. He wrote a lot and became familiar with the local press and readers.

While working in the Museum industry, he leisurely worked as a collaborator for the Bac Thai Newspaper. After the province was divided, he wrote for Thai Nguyen Newspaper. Occasionally, he had articles published in the newspaper, and the small royalties he received were used to treat his friends.

When he received his pension, he devoted himself to journalism. One day, he brought nearly ten articles to the editorial office at once. Each article was readable, but only one was useful because the articles were written in one commune/ward.

I said: Sir, if you write like that, you can only publish one article. If you write it in other places, it will be easier to use, and we will feel less guilty. He smiled kindly and said: I brought the article to the editorial office, if you find it useful, you can use it, if you don't, it's okay, I still thank you. Because I consider writing articles to train my memory.

Perhaps he was the most passionate person in the province about the local newspaper. Because when he could no longer ride his bike due to his age, he asked his children and grandchildren to take him to the editorial office to submit articles. When his children and grandchildren were busy, he took a taxi. He was gentle and respectful of the young generation of journalists. He said: You guys are more active and lively than my generation…

He didn't bother anyone, he only came to the editorial office for two purposes: to submit news and articles and to receive royalties, so everyone liked him as a fellow editor.

Mr. Pham Quy, a person who loves writing about the scent of fields and countryside.

A new day has opened, another issue of newspaper has been released to readers. Teacher Nguyen Dinh Tan has also retired for more than ten years now, for the same number of years, he has faced his life with the manuscript page. The topics he pursues are mainly culture, family, and society. Being both a journalist and a writer, an event or social phenomenon can "foretell the future of literature" or vice versa.

He confided: Newspapers need to be timely and accurate, so information and events must be reported immediately to be hot. Literature needs to be pondered, summarized, and built as a typical example, so literature comes later.

The good thing about the old scholar Nguyen Dinh Tan is that both the articles and the newspapers he sent to the editorial office were easy to use. Because of the honesty and the quality of the work. Like Mr. Tan, Mr. Pham Quy, a skilled writer, specializes in the topics of agriculture , farmers, and simple rural life, but behind the pensive face are the crops and the lives of many hard-working farmers that he pondered and put into his writings.

In the amateur journalism community in Thai Nguyen, we must mention Mr. Phan Thai. He is both a writer and a poet and for nearly ten years has also worked as a journalist. Since his time as a leader at Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation, readers have known him through his poetry. Then, when he retired, he tried his hand at journalism. Right from his first articles, readers recognized his continued success in the new field.

A wanderer, he loves to travel, he drives himself to the most difficult areas of the province to experience and write articles. His writing style is fresh, his voice is soft and unique but thoroughly addresses the topics raised in the article. For him, writing is a passion like breathing. Writing is a way to nourish his soul to be healthy, and at the same time, it is the best way to prepare for the conception of a literary product later.

While many people consider writing as a career to make a living, Mr. Phan Thai is different. Traveling is to experience, to know more about a part of the country. Passionate about writing, he spends most of his time traveling and writing. Writing is a way to show gratitude to life, to show gratitude to himself. Every time he receives royalties, he calls his friends to treat him. If he is short, he makes up for it. But he never has to make up for it because his reports are published in newspapers, and the editorial board respects and pays him quite well.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung (far right) on a working trip to Nguom Than Sa Rock Shelter Archaeological Site (Vo Nhai).

In the amateur journalism community in Thai Nguyen, there is also Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, an official of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Nguyen. He is quiet, charming, lives deeply and specializes in collaborating with central and local newspapers.

Due to the nature of his work, most of his articles are related to the preservation of national cultural heritage. He has had hundreds of articles published in newspapers and magazines. Many of his articles are kept by local authorities as historical documents.

Writing, or more accurately, often requires writing. It is not an easy job, but whoever takes it on will be like someone who has to pay off a debt for life. A debt that no one asks for, but one feels the need to pay. Nguyen Dinh Hung is the same, when discovering a historical event, or a new document, he immediately sits down at his desk to complete the manuscript and send it to the editorial office.

He confided: Through the press, historical documents and cultural events are promoted to the public. Thus, my mission is completed twice. Once at the governing body; once with the community through the press.

There are many more amateur journalists. They write passionately as a need to share and also to assert themselves in society. They have worked enthusiastically in the field of journalism. They have always accompanied the team of professional journalists, contributing a small part of their own efforts to the cause of revolutionary journalism in Vietnam.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nha-bao-nghiep-du-say-me-nghiep-viet-46e17fe/