Confessions of a collaborator

Editor's Note:

By choosing Dak Lak Newspaper to entrust their passion and expectations, the contributors have delivered many high-quality works, making the information in Dak Lak Newspaper rich, diverse, timely, and full of the pulse of life, meeting the needs of readers.

I still vividly remember that afternoon more than 20 years ago, my hands trembling as I opened the Dak Lak Weekend Newspaper delivered by the postal worker. It was the first time my work – the poem "Visiting Uncle Ho's Hometown" – had been published in the Dak Lak Newspaper, coinciding with the 102nd anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth. My emotions at that moment were difficult to put into words: I was deeply moved, nostalgic, and filled with an indescribable sense of pride.

From that moment, I connected with my provincial newspaper, and a quiet bond grew over the years as I continued to share my thoughts, reflections, and emotions through my writings. Some articles I wrote immediately after field trips, feeling the breath of the legendary basalt land, the resounding gongs during festivals, the fragrant aroma of coffee blossoms in the streets. Some I wrote during sleepless nights, when the country faced challenges, when people needed sharing and empathy. And some were just fleeting memories, a moment of emotion, but thanks to the Dak Lak Newspaper, I had the opportunity to share them with readers near and far.

As a contributor, I deeply appreciate the precious opportunity to contribute a small part to the glorious yet challenging field of journalism. Every time my articles are published in Dak Lak Newspaper, as well as other newspapers and magazines, I feel the happiness of someone who has both been listened to and shared with. This motivates me to continue learning and improving, not only to write accurately and well, but also with a pure heart and a sense of civic responsibility.

In an era of rapidly developing digital media, with diverse and sometimes chaotic information, Dak Lak Newspaper still maintains its role as an official information channel, contributing to shaping public opinion, creating social consensus, and accompanying provincial leaders in planning and implementing policies for economic , cultural, social welfare, and national defense development.

I am particularly impressed with the positive changes and innovations in both content and format of Dak Lak Newspaper in recent years. The newspaper's content is increasingly insightful, reflecting current events, life, emotions, and aspirations of the people quickly and effectively; the presentation is modern and attractive, especially the development of the online version, applying digital technology to reach readers faster and more efficiently. This is a very encouraging sign in the context of the strong digital transformation and multimedia communication taking place nationwide. I hope that in the current digital transformation journey, Dak Lak Newspaper will rise strongly, becoming a modern multimedia newspaper that attracts a large readership, especially the younger generation.

In April 2009, I went to Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) on a mission aboard the 936 ship of the 4th Naval Region. This was a special delegation of artists and outstanding young people from all over the country. On the first night on the ship sailing to Da Lon Island, I happened to read the Dak Lak Monthly Magazine, brought along by an official from the Propaganda Department of Dak Lak province. Through the lens of a journalist, I saw that the Dak Lak Newspaper reflected "deeply" on the land and people of the Central Highlands, but it didn't cover the sea and islands. An idea struck me: "Should I write a feature story about the sea and islands and send it to the Dak Lak Newspaper?"

Immediately after this trip, when the delegation held a memorial ceremony for the 64 martyrs who died in the Co Lin sea area, I wrote the news, took photos, and sent them to the editorial office.

I will never forget that afternoon in mid-June 2009. I was deeply moved when I received a complimentary newspaper from Dak Lak. I flipped through the pages. There it was, my work had been selected for publication. I read it over and over again, still feeling emotional. The next morning, I took the newspaper to the office to show it to my superior. My superior said, "Dak Lak is a province in the Central Highlands. If images of the islands, Truong Sa, DK1, the navy, and the fisheries patrol are disseminated in this newspaper, reaching even the villages of ethnic minorities, it will be a victory in the propaganda work regarding the islands. That is building a maritime defense posture in the hearts of the people through awareness." Encouraged by my superior, I felt empowered.

I officially collaborated with Dak Lak Newspaper as a specialized reporter writing about the sea and islands. Based on the principle of "writing what readers need, not what I myself know," I worked diligently, and my works were published one after another. Besides specialized reports on the sea and islands, I also wrote about love of life, social issues, and topics of interest to readers.

Each published article adds to my pride; it means I've contributed my small part to promoting awareness of the islands and seas, inspiring the spirit of overcoming difficulties and hardships, motivating officers and soldiers in Truong Sa and DK1, helping them to love life more and stand firm with their weapons at the forefront of the waves and winds.

For me, journalism is not just a profession, but also my breath, my passion, and my joy, and Dak Lak Newspaper is the land that has helped nurture and give wings to my dreams.

I was a professional driver, then I switched to teaching driving, and then came to journalism as if it were fate. And I write to give back to life and to make life more beautiful.

My first articles focused on the plight of people around where I lived, such as: "Two Children with Critical Illness Need Help," about two children with a rare disease, facing extremely difficult circumstances and lacking the funds for medical treatment; "To Help Two Fatherless Children Continue Their Education," also about two studious brothers with good academic performance, but whose difficult family circumstances put them at risk of dropping out of school; and "The Pitiful Situation of Y Loại Niê and Her Child," about a mother and child living in a dilapidated shack barely big enough for a 1.4-meter mat, without electricity!

All the articles published by Dak Lak Newspaper and the individuals featured in them have received support from the newspaper and its readers to overcome adversity. In the case of Y Loai Nie and her mother, the local government even helped build a house and provided livestock so they could become self-reliant...

Next, I wrote a series of articles sharing my experiences on safe driving, which were trusted by Dak Lak Newspaper and well-received by readers. Among them, the four-part series "Long-Distance Driving Chronicles" and the three-part series "The Bitter Taste of Honey," which were selected for publication by Dak Lak Newspaper, gave me more confidence and encouraged me to continue writing articles praising good examples and good deeds; and the strong transformations in the province's reform process.

Words cannot fully express my impressions and feelings for Dak Lak Newspaper. From a worker with only a high school diploma and a driver's license, facing countless challenges in life, I rose above them thanks to journalism and became a regular contributor to Dak Lak Newspaper. For me, writing for newspapers is like giving back to life and making life more beautiful.

Ever since my school days, I dreamed of becoming a journalist. However, due to circumstances, I had to put that dream on hold… Nevertheless, every time I read the newspaper, the flame of passion for writing ignites within me. Through my research, I learned that alongside formally trained reporters with in-depth knowledge of journalism, there is also a team of freelance writers who provide honest and accurate reports reflecting real life in places that the reporting team cannot cover.

From then on, my dream of becoming a journalist was rekindled. To better understand the writing style and structure of a news article, I frequently read news and articles published in the Dak Lak Newspaper, a local newspaper but with very rich content, ranging from political commentary and current affairs, feature articles, interviews, and stories about exemplary individuals in various fields; to poetry, essays, and personal reflections, etc.

Having grasped some basic principles, I began practicing writing and boldly applied to be a contributor to the Dak Lak Newspaper. In June 1995, under the dim light (electricity didn't get to my area until 2002), I picked up my pen and wrote an article reflecting on the condition of the main road in Krong Bong district (Provincial Road 12, which was then a dirt road), which was severely damaged by dozens of heavy trucks carrying timber passing through daily, making travel extremely difficult for the people… After a week of submitting the article (handwritten and sent by mail), my article was selected for publication by the Editorial Board. The publication of the article further motivated me to continue writing…

Along with the newspaper's development, I myself have had to reinvent myself, constantly seeking and embracing new things… Through my years of collaboration with Dak Lak Newspaper, I have been honed in many ways. News articles submitted by contributors are carefully selected and edited by the editorial board; articles that don't meet the requirements are reviewed by editors so that contributors can rewrite them to improve their quality. I learned many things that seem simple, but they have equipped me with essential skills for a writer. I understand more about what a writer should write, who they should write for, and how they should write…

Having collaborated with Dak Lak Newspaper for 30 years, now in my seventies, whether I submit articles or not, I access Dak Lak Newspaper once or twice a day to keep up with the latest news in the province… I always hope that Dak Lak Newspaper – the newspaper that nurtured my childhood dreams – will grow stronger and continue to receive the trust and affection of its readers.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202506/tam-tinh-cong-tac-vien-49002f9/