My youth as a journalist

Some articles by the author were published in Lang Son Newspaper in 1981.

By writing poetry and prose, and sending news and articles reflecting on all aspects of school and my hometown of Dong Mo-Chi Lang to Lang Son Newspaper, the special issue "Chi Lang Army Corps", "Military Region 1", Lang Son Arts and Literature Magazine, Lang Son Radio Station, etc., I became a close young contributor to these newsrooms.

Corresponding

I'll never forget the time I was busy attending the "Lang Son Newspaper Collaborators and Correspondents Conference" in 1982. When I received the invitation from the newspaper, I reported to the Principal of Chi Lang A High School (Chi Lang District) to request leave from school to attend the meeting in Lang Son town. Although they knew I had published works in central and local newspapers, when they received the formal, typewritten invitation with the official red seal of the Lang Son Newspaper, the teachers passed it around and were delighted for me. The Principal patted me on the head and immediately approved my leave, instructing my homeroom and subject teachers to provide extra tutoring for me afterward…

From the mountain town of Đồng Mỏ up to Lạng Sơn town, the distance is only 36 km, but it took me more than half a day to travel by car. Catching a bus and even getting a ride was a real challenge because back then, passenger buses were scarce; most were the old "Command" buses from the Soviet era, which were pushed along the way and occasionally broke down suddenly. The old National Highway 1A, winding through the Sài Hồ pass, was full of potholes and bumps, making the car move at a snail's pace…

From the Lang Son bus station (now the Department of Construction), I walked a few hundred meters. Back then, this area was quite deserted because it was mainly a military zone and the headquarters of local Party organizations. Furthermore, after the border war, some agencies and households still remained in evacuation areas in the lowlands… I walked through the city gate area and followed a small path, flanked by grassy banks and ponds; occasionally, there were rows of quiet, single-story houses.

The Lang Son Newspaper was located in what is now the Border Guard Command area. I immediately saw a long row of garages resembling an auditorium, with a red banner hanging on the porch that read, "Warmly welcome comrades to the 1982 Lang Son Newspaper Collaborators and Correspondents Conference." Beside it, to the side, was another row of single-story buildings. From inside one of the rooms, Uncle Ha Nghien, then the Editor-in-Chief, hastily called out, "Is that you, Chien? Come in and have some water." I stepped into the small room, where there was a desk piled high with manuscripts and newly published issues of the Lang Son Newspaper. Uncle Nghien and I frequently corresponded. I remember how diligently he responded to readers. Personally, I would receive his reply and feedback on news articles and poems every one or two weeks.

The author (top row, second from the left) and colleagues at the Lang Son Newspaper Youth Union Congress in 1991.

The conference lasted three days, with many collaborators including senior citizens, soldiers, police officers, and some propaganda officials from various departments in the province. We greeted each other warmly. The elders sought me out, talked to me, and took very good care of me. Back then, meals were mostly rice and vegetables, as the subsidy period was still very difficult, but the warmth and laughter were abundant. Seeing my small stature, the elders often put thin slices of meat or fried eggs in my bowl, urging me to eat. Dr. Cuong (who also used the pen name "Machine Hammer," which I greatly admired) laughed loudly, saying he had read my poems and insisted on inviting me to his private home on Dau Mountain, near Lang Son town, on his rickety bicycle. On the way, we talked about poetry, literature, and life in a very pleasant way.

At the conference, I had the honor of being one of about a dozen people to receive the "Lang Son Newspaper Correspondent" card (Card number 26CN/LS), which bore the impressive inscription: "The Editorial Board of the Lang Son Newspaper certifies Comrade Nguyen Duy Chien from Dong Mo town, Chi Lang district, as a Correspondent of the Lang Son Newspaper. We request that all Party committees, government agencies, and mass organizations at all levels provide assistance to Comrade Nguyen Duy Chien in all matters." April 12, 1982. On behalf of the Editorial Board, Ha Nghien."

Behind the scenes

After returning from the conference, my teachers and friends gathered around me, demanding I tell them about my experiences "in the province." Everyone marveled and passed around my "Lang Son Newspaper Correspondent" card. One day, the leaders of the Party Committee and People's Committee of Dong Mo town invited me to their office for a drink, encouraging and motivating me to study and write. In particular, I was taken to the Chi Lang District Food Office in the Mo Chao area, about half a kilometer from my house, and heard the announcement that I would be allocated 14 kg of rice each month to "nurture my special talent." I remember, from around mid-1982, on the 15th of every month, I went to the District Food Office and received a very beautiful and elegant "Payment Order" which clearly stated: "Amount of rice allocated to Comrade Nguyen Duy Chien - 14 kg - no fillers." And so, I was nurtured by the care and love of all levels and sectors until I went to vocational school...

I was admitted to the Fine Arts Department of the Central College of Music and Fine Arts Education (now the Central University of Arts Education). There, the Student Union entrusted me with the important responsibility of being the Deputy Head of the school's dormitory radio station. Back then, twice a week, six of us would gather in the "student management" room on the second floor of the school's imposing five-story dormitory building to work. There, we had an amplifier, microphones, recording equipment, and two large loudspeakers pointed towards the student buildings, creating a rather lively and youthful atmosphere.

After graduating from the Central College of Music and Fine Arts Education in September 1989, I was accepted into the Editorial Board of the Lang Son Literature and Arts Magazine (Lang Son Provincial Association of Literature and Arts) as a graphic designer and editor of the feature and reportage section. About half a month later, I was invited to a meeting with the agency's leadership, who instructed me: "Your joining the agency means we have three young people to form a Youth Union branch. The Party Committee will give its opinion and work with the Provincial Agencies' Youth Union to quickly establish the Lang Son Literature and Arts Association's Youth Union organization." And so I was appointed as the interim Secretary of the Youth Union branch…

Throughout my youth as a journalist and writer, I remained close to my colleagues at Lang Son Newspaper. I recall that around the beginning of 1991, I received an invitation to attend the Lang Son Newspaper Youth Union Congress. Back then, there weren't flower shops like there are now, so I went to my neighbor's house and got a bunch of fresh, vibrant thorny roses. I wrapped the flowers in newspaper, decorated them a little, and it looked quite beautiful and dignified. At the congress, we shared about the activities of the youth union organization and the youthful energy in propaganda work. Vi Hung Trang, a reporter from Lang Son Newspaper, was elected Secretary of the Youth Union. Both Trang and I were from Chi Lang, so we knew each other from before. Later, Trang transferred to work as a reporter for Nhan Dan Newspaper, based in Lang Son, while I became a reporter for Tien Phong Newspaper, also stationed in my hometown...

June – the heart of summer – brings back vivid memories for me. Glimpses of my journalistic career flood back. I was reminiscing about my early years in literature and writing when I received news that Mr. Vi Hung Trang had retired in June 2025. I suddenly remembered that I too had reached the age of sixty. Looking in the mirror, I saw streaks of gray in my hair. Suddenly, the phone rang, pulling me back to reality. I held the mobile phone, feeling its weight. On the other end, a kind voice said, "Uncle, remember to send your article for the special June 21st issue of Lang Son Newspaper!" It turned out to be the Head of the Print Department of Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television, calling to urge me to submit my article. Perhaps the connections between generations of local journalists allowed me to relive my "youthful days in journalism," filled with memories that will never fade from my mind...

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gan-bo-voi-nghe-bao-lang-son-5049438.html