Remembering journalist Pham Khac Lam

Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai, former Deputy Director of the Press Department, Central Propaganda Department, his loyal wife, choked back tears and said briefly, "He cherished Mr. Toan, and often mentioned me," then stopped speaking... Upon suddenly learning of journalist Pham Khac Lam's passing, I suddenly remembered Trinh Cong Son's song "Let the Wind Carry It Away," which he loved during his lifetime: "In life, one needs a kind heart, but for what purpose... let the wind carry it away..."

Like a slow-motion film, the life and career of veteran journalist Pham Khac Lam unfolded before me, a brother figure who had dedicated more than half his life to the profession. He always exuded a sense of simplicity and serenity, just like his own life, when he stepped down as Director General and Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Television (VTV) on December 31, 1993. That year, he had already passed the age of 64. The following day, January 1, 1994, he went to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the National Television Festival, spontaneously composing a few simple verses to bid farewell to his friends and colleagues in television: "Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds / Wealth and riches are like feathers / Among friends and colleagues / The most precious thing is a sincere heart!"

I've known him for a long time, since I was a lieutenant at the People's Army Newspaper. Once, in April 1975, I went to the Press and Publishing Department of the Central Propaganda Department, and my colleague Le Huu Que pointed to the table next to us: "Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai, wife of the Department Head, journalist Pham Khac Lam, and eldest daughter-in-law of Mr. Pham Khac Hoe." Hearing this, Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai, a fellow native of Nghe An province, smiled and said, "What are you two saying bad things about me?" After that initial "clarification," I, Le Huu Que, and Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai chatted lively about everything under the sun. A little later, Mr. Pham Khac Lam came over and gave Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai her car keys. Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai was a student of the Literature Faculty - Class 7 (1962-1966) at Hanoi University. Mr. and Mrs. Khac Lam, a talented man and a beautiful woman, made a truly lovely couple. And from that day on, I became close to the senior journalist couple, learning many useful things about the profession from them.

Journalist Pham Khac Lam pictured with General Vo Nguyen Giap in 1998.

Journalist Pham Khac Lam's private residence is at 48B Trang Thi Street, Hanoi, next to the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front . Once, while waiting for a taxi in front of his house, he jokingly said:

- On many days when I had free time, I would visit the Fatherland Front to chat with some of the elderly intellectuals and prominent figures, whom I knew well. We would talk about current events and the ways of the world. Once, I met some farmers from the countryside who had come to see the Fatherland Front to complain about land disputes. I advised them and showed them how to resolve the issues. People who are frustrated might file lawsuits at higher levels, but when you understand their situation and provide sincere guidance and reasonable advice, they happily listen, and everyone returns to their homes in an orderly manner. Our people have always been loyal to the Party.

That's the kind of person he was: dedicated, thoughtful, and wholeheartedly devoted to everyone. On the afternoon of May 29, 2014, I had already transferred to Ho Chi Minh City and had the opportunity to fly back to Hanoi. I went to his house to chat. When I called him, he was attending a neighborhood party meeting. Ms. Thai Tuyet Mai came down to the alley to greet me and took me upstairs to the small apartment where he and his wife had lived for half a century. After chatting happily with her for half an hour, he returned. Seeing him wearing a T-shirt and shorts, I jokingly asked:

- Your brother's party meeting is like a golf game!

He smiled broadly:

- The retired party cell has a few dozen members, all close friends. Today the weather is so hot and humid. All the men are wearing shorts for convenience. At this meeting, we're suggesting to the heavens, "Why is it so hot and humid? It's all due to climate change. Please, God, send some gentle sea breeze." Everyone laughed along.

Over tea that afternoon, journalist Khắc Lãm confided in me, taking me back to the past – to the memories of his life. He remembered every small detail vividly. In 1988, while serving as Director of the International Propaganda Department of the Central Propaganda Committee, he was transferred to become the Director General and Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Television (VTV). Obeying the organization's assignment, he quietly left Nguyễn Cảnh Chân Street and went to Giảng Võ to take on his new role. At VTV, during a meeting with key officials, he spoke softly and simply, just like his own nature:

- I'm not knowledgeable about television. I don't have any unique skills either. I hope you all will help me fulfill my duties. I just hope everyone will be united, care for each other, and work together to do a good job.

Journalist Pham Khac Lam.

During a historical period when the country was embarking on reforms, after years of crisis under the centrally planned economy, VTV faced numerous difficulties in terms of equipment, finances, personnel, and professionalism. Overcoming these challenges, journalist Pham Khac Lam, with his dedication, enthusiasm, and passion for his profession, along with the team of staff, reporters, editors, and technicians, initiated and accomplished many things. He contributed to VTV's reform, a fact clearly visible to viewers through each program on the small screen. During this time, he was burdened with many worries due to unpleasant internal matters at VTV. Being reserved and sensitive about many issues, he didn't feel comfortable discussing them. It is known that, during these difficult times, besides his close friends and colleagues, his devoted wife, Thai Tuyet Mai, was always a strong source of emotional support for him.

I once asked him:

If you could choose again, what profession would you choose?

Journalist Pham Khac Lam immediately said:

- Journalism. I've loved journalism since I was a young child.

He was the eldest son of Mr. Pham Khac Hoe, the older brother of People's Artist Pham Thi Thanh, from Duc Nhan commune (now Bui La Nhan), Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh province. Mr. Pham Khac Hoe was a lawyer, writer, and the Chief of the Imperial Office of Emperor Bao Dai – holding the rank of Minister, the last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. He drafted the abdication decree of Emperor Bao Dai on August 22, 1945, witnessing the collapse of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam. These historical events were vividly recorded by Mr. Pham Khac Hoe in his famous memoir: "From the Hue Court to the Viet Bac War Zone." In 1953, Pham Khac Lam was sent to China to study. In 1954, after completing his foreign language studies, he was selected to study metallurgy at the Beijing Iron and Steel Institute. Then, during a visit to the Vietnamese Embassy, ​​he coincidentally learned that Vietnam was about to send a number of people to study journalism at university. Overjoyed, Pham Khac Lam submitted his application and his request was granted. After graduating from the Beijing Journalism University, he returned to Vietnam in 1959 and took up a position in the Press Department, then the International Propaganda Department of the Central Propaganda Department, and remained in the profession until his retirement from VTV.

It is known that in 2013, Pham Khac Lam was one of the outstanding members of the Youth Intelligence Team of District 6 Police, under the Hanoi Police, and received the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces. When I asked him about this, journalist Pham Khac Lam softly replied:

- At the age of 15, I joined a patriotic youth organization in Hue. In 1946, I moved to Hanoi with my father and family. My grandfather worked for President Ho Chi Minh's government. He was arrested and placed under house arrest by the French. At the end of 1946, Hanoi began its resistance. I managed to contact the organization and joined the Youth Intelligence Team of the District 6 Police. During this time, the team accomplished many things, communicating correspondence for the revolution and achieving outstanding successes, contributing to the elimination of elements opposing the revolution.

After this period, Pham Khac Lam joined the Vietnam People's Army, taking up positions in the Secretariat of the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff, and serving as secretary to General Vo Nguyen Giap in the Viet Bac War Zone until he was sent to study in China.

After his retirement, Pham Khac Lam made significant contributions to the development of the Que Huong Magazine, a bridge connecting with overseas Vietnamese communities. He initiated and founded the Nhip Cau Dau Tu and Khuyen Hoc newspapers. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Viet-America Magazine, under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. Despite his advanced age, he continues to travel and write, wholeheartedly devoted to his writing. Following his book of political essays, "America in the Vietnam War - A Perspective," published by the National Political Publishing House in 2005, Pham Khac Lam published "Vietnam After Peace - Some Reflections," published by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Publishing House in 2014.

In life, all that matters is a kind heart. Journalist Pham Khac Lam's life was blessed with such a heart, one that fueled his passion and dedication to the profession he chose. He passed away at a ripe old age. This article serves as a respectful tribute, a final farewell to a profound, dedicated, and passionate writer…

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nho-nha-bao-pham-khac-lam-post264070.html