Journalist and writer Dac Huu:

During his 43-year journey alongside the revolutionary Vietnamese press at Ha Tay Newspaper (formerly Ha Son Binh Newspaper), journalist Nguyen Dac Huu, former Editor-in-Chief of Ha Tay Newspaper, left a special mark: He dedicated 31 years to the provincial newspaper, including 17 years as Editor-in-Chief.

A passionate journalist

In 1961, after graduating from the Hanoi -Son Tay-Ha Dong Interprovincial Teacher Training School, young teacher Nguyen Dac Huu went to teach at Son Cong Secondary School in Ung Hoa district (Ha Dong). Just one year later, at the age of 22, he was admitted to the Party and appointed Principal of Vien Noi Secondary School in the same district. Night after night, after grading papers and preparing lesson plans, by the light of a small oil lamp, he would practice writing news articles to submit to newspapers.

Perhaps it was his early affinity for journalism that led to his assignment in 1964 by the Ha Dong Provincial Party Committee to work as a reporter for the provincial Party newspaper. Over more than a decade of dedicated learning, honing his skills, traveling extensively, and writing prolifically, he gradually matured. From leading a team of reporters covering agricultural economics and construction, he was appointed Deputy Editor-in-Chief (in 1981). Then, leveraging his knowledge and capabilities, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Ha Son Binh Newspaper (in 1984). When Ha Tay and Hoa Binh provinces were separated, he became Editor-in-Chief of the Ha Tay Newspaper.

Retiring in September 2001, Dac Huu concluded 37 years of working for the provincial newspaper, including 17 years as Editor-in-Chief and many years as a resident correspondent for the Nhan Dan Newspaper in Ha Son Binh province, trusted and selected by the Nhan Dan Newspaper Editorial Board. As he prepared for retirement, Dac Huu continued to be entrusted by the Nhan Dan Newspaper Editorial Board with the role of special contributor.

Journalist Dac Huu's dedication, keen insight, and meticulousness are first and foremost demonstrated in his diligent efforts to stay close to the grassroots, seeking out new information, exemplary individuals, and advanced models to disseminate in a timely manner. Through his efforts to delve deeply into and understand the local situation, he uncovered negative incidents and immediately wrote frank critiques of local leaders through columns such as "Speaking Privately to the Chiefs" and "Reporter's Handbook." He selected and published 200 out of 500 investigative articles criticizing and analyzing issues that caused public outrage and complaints – including satirical and witty stories – in his book "Stories That Are Too Real to Be True." The book was praised by the public for its straightforward, truthful, and constructive approach. Despite some reactions, Dac Huu remained calm and steadfast in clarifying right and wrong, protecting the newspaper's reputation and the fighting spirit of his writing.

Journalist Dac Huu's high-quality articles contributed to enhancing the newspaper's reputation, earning him numerous national journalism awards and leading to his nomination for election to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association . He was also frequently invited by the Journalism Department of the University of Propaganda (now the Academy of Journalism and Communication) to share his experience in producing feature stories about exemplary individuals and to lecture on professional skills to journalism students.

The person steering the Party newspaper during the Renovation period.

During his 17 years as Editor-in-Chief, he proposed many policy-making issues, solutions, and appropriate strategies to the provincial leadership, contributing to affirming the newspaper's role as the mouthpiece and voice of the Party, government, and people of the province. The newspaper consistently identified and praised the actions and experiences of new initiatives, creating a significant impact.

For example, there are vivid stories about Binh Minh commune (Thanh Oai district) achieving three agricultural goals and building "three types of troops" to meet the demands of the Southern battlefield; Hoa Xa commune (Ung Hoa district) with the "Truong Son Walking Stick" movement; Dan Phuong district with the "Three Responsibilities" women's movement; Ung Hoa district with land consolidation and exchange; Phu Xuyen district with the winter crop cultivation movement in low-lying fields; Son Cong cooperative with its new contract farming initiative...

In addition, journalist Dac Huu and his team of reporters discussed, researched, and were determined to innovate the content and format, and improve the quality of the Ha Tay newspaper by opening more than a dozen new sections: "Everyday Beauty," "Flavors of the Homeland," "People of Our Homeland - Our Homeland," "Stories of the Past," "Faces of Artists," "Rural Stories," "Events and Commentary," "Writing on Request from Readers," "Reporter's Handbook," "Whispers," "Learning English on the Ha Tay Newspaper," etc. These sections served to enhance knowledge, provide healthy entertainment, and attract readers near and far.

He then proposed to the Provincial Party Committee that the newspaper be given as a gift to veteran revolutionaries, provincial leaders, and Party members with 40 years or more of Party membership. From there, listening to public opinion or through letters sent to him, he directly identified weaknesses and boldly summarized them into "10 points where the Ha Tay Newspaper was not attractive to readers." After that, the newspaper quickly shifted direction. One of the differences from before was that the legitimate aspirations and needs of the people and readers were promptly published in the newspaper. The relationship between the editorial office and readers became increasingly close and strong. In the years 1996-2000, circulation increased rapidly, becoming one of the local Party newspapers with the largest and most widespread circulation in the country.

During the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, facing the challenges of rapidly integrating with the press market, Editor-in-Chief Dac Huu spent considerable time studying other newspapers. He then worked with the editorial team to research and discuss, expanding the topics, increasing the amount of information, adding more sections, and innovating the presentation style, striving for self-renewal. The staff and reporters closely monitored the rapidly evolving practical issues, changing their way of thinking, writing articles, taking photos, and structuring newspaper pages, a departure from the wartime and subsidy periods. After a period, Ha Tay Newspaper became a model for improving the quality and experience of newspaper distribution.

It can be said that journalist Dac Huu made a remarkable mark at the Ha Tay newspaper. This is a testament to his creativity and perseverance during his 17 long years as Editor-in-Chief. It also served as a springboard for writer and journalist Dac Huu to develop his dynamic, creative, and active spirit throughout his more than two decades of retirement. He spent 12 years as Chairman of the Club of Elderly Journalists from the Silk Region; 12 years as Head of the Editorial Board, in charge of the Health Protection journal of the Association of Friends of the Resistance Against the French in the former Ha Dong Province and the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association, along with the Vietnam Elderly Cultural Center (without receiving any monthly remuneration or editorial or writing fees). Dac Huu also spent 17 years as the leader of a Party cell with many retired officials as Party members in the neighborhood, consistently being recognized as an outstanding unit, and Dac Huu himself as an outstanding Party member.

Throughout his journalistic career and in his personal life, journalist Dac Huu stood out as an exemplary figure of "good people doing good deeds." He was awarded the Second Class Resistance Medal for his contributions to the war against the US, two Labor Medals (Third and Second Class); and numerous Certificates of Merit by the Vietnam Journalists Association...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nha-bao-nha-van-dac-huu-dau-an-17-nam-tong-bien-tap-705790.html