Newspaper editorial office in the hearts of the people.

BDK - From the early stages of the resistance war against the US in 1954 until before the 1960 Uprising, the revolutionary newspaper in the province increasingly played a crucial role in propaganda and revolutionary encouragement. During the resistance months, the newspaper's editorial office traveled through many revolutionary base areas, staying rooted and relying on the people. The newspapers, printed and distributed with the dedication of the staff, editors, and printers, carried a wealth of important information about the revolutionary movement in Ben Tre, becoming a source of pride for patriotic citizens.

Issue No. 2 of Hoa Binh newspaper, lacquered, handwritten, published on February 20, 1956. Archival photo.

Peace and Unity goes into operation.

In accordance with the Geneva Accords, we handed over the revolutionary-controlled areas to the puppet regime, disbanded the armed forces, sent cadres to regrouping, and had the Party go underground. The women's and peasant national salvation organizations were dissolved, leaving only the Youth Labor Union (abbreviated as Thanh Lao). The method of struggle shifted from armed struggle to political struggle.

In August 1954, the Provincial Party Committee was secretly organized with Comrade Nguyen Van Khuoc as its Secretary, continuing to direct the building of the party organization and carrying out journalistic, propaganda, and educational activities to stabilize ideology and raise awareness among cadres, party members, and the people in the new situation.

During this period, the goal of the revolution was to fight for peace and national reunification. Therefore, the Provincial Party Committee decided to name the provincial newspaper Hoa Binh (Peace). Later, it was changed to Hoa Binh Thong Nhat (Peace and Unity) according to the policy of the Regional Party Committee. The newspaper was printed using wax typewriters, in a 16 x 19 cm format. The masthead was beautifully printed on wax paper. At that time, Comrade Vo Van Pham - a member of the Provincial Party Committee - was the editor-in-chief, and the provincial propaganda cadres were responsible for editing and printing.

The newspaper's content continued to explain the victory of the Geneva Accords; it pointed out methods of fighting terrorism, opposing anti-communist activities, demanding better living conditions and democracy, exposing the enemy's sabotage plots, and mobilizing the masses for political struggle demanding negotiations and a general election to unify the country. The revolutionary masses at that time were very eager for news about revolutionary activities. Therefore, the Hoa Binh Thong Nhat (Peace and Unity) newspaper had a very significant spiritual influence on people's lives. Anyone who held a copy of Hoa Binh Thong Nhat was a source of pride and was considered an insider. The newspaper was distributed secretly, passed through revolutionary bases, and reached a wide audience.

In mid-1958, most of the editorial staff were relentlessly hunted down and arrested by the enemy. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat (Peace and Unity) newspaper was temporarily suspended, but then resumed publication, printed on half-sheet wax paper (15 x 20 cm), handwritten. At this time, Comrade Nguyen Thi Dinh, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, directly supervised the newspaper's operations; Comrade Nguyen Van Thanh (Ba Kien) was in charge. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper published articles praising the courageous and indomitable sacrifices of cadres and people in the struggle against conscription, against terrorism, protecting the Party, protecting the revolution, and the political struggles of the masses. In addition, news and propaganda materials in the districts continued to be printed and distributed until 1958 when the enemy launched fierce attacks on the facilities, at which point publication was temporarily suspended.

The 1960 Uprising

Implementing Resolution 15 of the Central Party Committee at the end of 1959, the Provincial Party Committee launched the general uprising. At this time, the editorial office of the Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper only had three comrades left: Nguyen Van Thanh (Ba Kien), Vo Van Thuan, and Doan Van Bo (Doan Tu), who were based in Minh Duc commune. The editorial office was ordered to move to Binh Khanh commune to be closer to the leadership of the general uprising. The Provincial Party Committee assigned Comrade Nguyen Van Thanh to be in charge of the newspaper, closely follow the steering committee to implement the general uprising order, and assist the grassroots in drafting and printing the Military Order of Battalion Commander Le Thiet Hung of Battalion 502.

On January 17, 1960, the uprising broke out and achieved great victories in three key communes: Dinh Thuy, Binh Khanh, and Phuoc Hiep, and quickly spread throughout the province. News of victories in various places continuously thrilled the people. The comrades in charge of printing were even more enthusiastic, working day and night to distribute leaflets, news bulletins, and documents on military mobilization and appeals. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper actively encouraged, motivated, and urged the people to rise up, calling on soldiers to surrender and return to the people, while also warning the cruel and stubborn oppressors.

By March 1960, the editorial office of the Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper was located in An Ninh hamlet, Binh Khanh commune (now Mo Cay Nam district), headed by Comrade Nguyen Van Thanh, with editors including Comrades Le Chi Nhan, Doan Tu, and Vo Van Thuan. The newspaper's motto and purpose became "Determined to fight, determined to win." The editorial office proposed to the Provincial Party Standing Committee and received approval to change the newspaper's name to Chien Thang (Victory). The Chien Thang newspaper entered the fierce resistance war against the US, leaving a brilliant mark on the history of revolutionary journalism in the province and among the people with many impressive articles. At the same time, it trained a generation of courageous and talented revolutionary journalists.

T. Dong (compiled)

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/toa-soan-bao-trong-long-dan-26032025-a144228.html