Working in the midst of bullets and the memories of war correspondent Nghiem Sy Thai

During the resistance war against the US to save the country, revolutionary journalism affirmed its pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front. War reporters in the past were steadfast soldiers, ready to overcome rain of bombs and bullets to record every moment of history. Among that class of courageous journalists, journalist Nghiem Sy Thai was a typical face.

Journalist Nghiem Sy Thai receives a copy of the diary returned by the US side.

I got to know him - a veteran war correspondent, former Chief of the Thua Thien - Hue Liberation News Agency, former Chief of the Lam Dong Branch, through the touching story of his diary - unexpectedly returning after being lost for nearly 60 years. It was a precious keepsake that had followed him throughout his years of working amid fierce bombs and bullets, before being confiscated by American soldiers in a battle at the end of 1967 in the Thua Thien province war zone. And then, on April 17, the United States handed over the war memorabilia to veterans, and the diary was returned to its rightful owner.

Recalling the years of his youth living and writing in the middle of the battlefield, he still has the heroic images of a generation of writers going to war. Those were the days of May 1965, when the whole country was filled with the spirit of "Splitting Truong Son to save the country". He and 12 other excellent literature students from Hanoi University were selected by Vietnam News Agency to promptly strengthen the reporter force for the southern battlefield. Knowing that there were bombs and bullets ahead, the fragile boundary between life and death, but for that young man in his twenties, the revolutionary ideal, the desire for independence and freedom were above all. "Stepping into the battlefield may not bring us back. But for us, it was an honor, an opportunity to contribute our small part to the great struggle of the nation", Mr. Thai said.

After graduating with special privileges, these excellent students were given 3 months of intensive training in journalism. He himself asked to study 2 more months of photography skills so that he could personally record the fierce, vivid, and authentic moments of the war. In early 1966, they enthusiastically went to the battlefield and were assigned to VNA branches from Tri Thien to Ca Mau . That was the journey of young men in their twenties leaving with a cheerful heart, carrying in their hearts the passionate fire of patriotism, the responsibility of journalists in wartime, eager to contribute their efforts to the front line of resistance.

Journalist Nghiem Sy Thai was assigned to work at the Tri Thien battlefield, in Zone 5 - Central Central Vietnam. A notebook, a camera and a steel spirit were the simple provisions that accompanied him to the fierce battlefield. Not afraid of danger, steadfastly sticking to the battlefield, he promptly recorded many historical moments, transmitting hot news from the battlefield to the rear. "A camera and a notebook, no guns and bullets but brave and aggressive like a soldier" is a familiar image that many colleagues still remember about him.

Among hundreds of photos taken on the battlefield, he remembers most the photo of Battalion Commander Nguyen Van Thoa with a young liberation army soldier smiling victoriously, with submachine guns bearing the USA brand that had just been captured on his shoulder, at the Hue City front in the spring of 1968. That was the smile of faith, of victory, of an indomitable spirit. Or the series of photos recording Hue students participating in the revolution; Hue people pouring into the streets to welcome the liberation army; or the scene of a DKZ battery burning 3 American ships on the Huong River... In particular, the series of photos about the shooting down of a UH1H combat helicopter and the capture of 3 American pilots in the A Luoi area in 1970 caused a big stir. To him, that was news more precious than gold. "Taking photos of American pilots being captured alive is something that every war correspondent dreams of."

During his years of working amid bullets and bullets, he faced death many times. “I narrowly escaped death four times,” he said. However, he never backed down, always steadfastly sticking close to the battlefield, accompanying the soldiers, recording the hottest and most vivid news and images, contributing to encouraging patriotism, arousing the fighting spirit and belief in victory of our army and people.

Nearly 60 years have passed since leaving the classroom to enter the battlefield, journalist Nghiem Sy Thai, at the age of 83, still retains the memories of a time when he “lived to write”. The stories he tells are not only his own memories, but also a vivid slice of the courage, ideals and character of a generation of brave war reporters. Those who devoted themselves to great ideals, not afraid to sacrifice to fulfill the mission of revolutionary journalists.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202506/tac-nghiep-trong-lua-dan-va-ky-uc-cua-phong-vien-chien-truong-nghiem-sy-thai-6413002/