About Bac Lieu - love and write...

In Bac Lieu, there are simple things that become impressions that are planted in the feelings and then spread into the writings of many journalists from other provinces when they come to this place. Those feelings are both emotions and suggestions for Bac Lieu to identify itself more clearly in the journey of development as well as affirm its cultural identity.

1. In the Bac Lieu newspaper issue released on June 12, the Culture - Arts page has an article "The fable of Spicy beef noodle soup and the lesson of preserving the soul of the countryside". The story is about a specialty dish of Bac Lieu, with the wish "this dish cannot die", the old restaurant owner passed on the profession to her granddaughter who had just graduated from the tourism school, a young person who knows how to use Fanpage, TikTok to tell the story of her grandmother and the journey of spicy beef noodle soup through each land of Bac Lieu. So the dish not only lives but also spreads, and that is how the young person "preserves the soul of the dish in the shape of the times". With this fable, the author draws a lesson: “Each hometown dish is not only a combination of ingredients, but also the crystallization of land, people, memories and emotions. If you want to develop culinary tourism, don’t just ask for the recipe. Ask where the soul of the dish comes from. Like Bac Lieu spicy beef noodle soup: spicy is the taste, but love is the lingering aftertaste. And so, in this bustling world, there are still warm bowls of noodles, not only to eat, but to remember the homeland!” The author of the article is Le Minh Hoan.

Last March, before the 2025 Vietnam - Bac Lieu Salt Festival, there was also an article in Bac Lieu newspaper: "The dream of Vietnamese salt", an article with many suggestions for the Bac Lieu salt road in particular, and Vietnamese salt in general. The article was signed "Xich Lo".

Journalist Xich Lo wrote: “Reviving the salt industry is not only about developing products, but also building a salt culture. For example, the Vietnam Salt Museum introduces the history, culture and stories surrounding the salt industry. Or the tourist salt village - where visitors can experience salt making, participate in salt workshops, and enjoy salt specialties”. The overall goal that this journalist suggests is to aim for the world salt path, because his concern is: “If Vietnamese salt is only raw salt sold by the kilo, how can salt farmers get rich?” Journalist Xich Lo is also the author Le Minh Hoan - the former head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , now Vice Chairman of the 15th National Assembly!

“The pen of a journalist, the passion and intelligence of a journalist can activate an entire society and change a whole model to form higher value systems”. With this thought, when coming to localities, as a journalist, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly - Le Minh Hoan wrote articles based on reality and encouraged people around to spread meaningful stories. The story of spicy beef noodle soup in Bac Lieu is an example. It is just a “fable” but the article discussed how Bac Lieu can preserve the cultural soul of a culinary specialty.

Journalist Huynh Dung Nhan (left cover) receives a book signed by writer Phan Trung Nghia during a visit to Bac Lieu. Photo: CT

2. Journalist Huynh Dung Nhan also has a “heavy debt” to Bac Lieu after his trips back and forth. He used to work for the newspapers: Tuoi Tre, Lao Dong; former member of the Executive Committee, Deputy of the Professional Department of the Vietnam Journalists Association; former Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association, Editor-in-Chief of the Journalism Magazine. Originally from Ben Tre, he grew up with his family in the North, then later lived in Ho Chi Minh City. Journalist Huynh Dung Nhan said he has been to Bac Lieu more than 10 times, on teaching or business trips. He shared: “I have observed and realized the differences, what makes this land. When the province was separated in 1997, Ca Mau had an advantage over Dat Mui, but Bac Lieu also had musician Cao Van Lau and traditional melodies. Even the crab, the crab, the wind power field on the sea also created a vast land, making Bac Lieu both modern and beautiful in the eyes of people from afar. Although Bac Lieu is still poor, it is supported by Bac Lieu culture”. That is the impression of journalist Huynh Dung Nhan about this place, so that he has many profound articles about Bac Lieu and even composed poems, including the song “Bac Lieu Improvisation” written by author Tran Tuan Kiet into vọng cổ.

The journalist confided that, perhaps I cannot write about Bac Lieu as clearly as Bac Lieu people, but “I write about my love for Bac Lieu, and sometimes I write better. Because every time I come here, I “unearth” typical examples such as: a field, a salt field, a singing voice…”.

3. More than 10 years ago - in 2014, Journalist Vu Thong Nhat (at that time working at Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper) won the A prize of the "Bac Lieu on the way to development" Press Award - an award within the framework of the activities of the first National Don Ca Tai Tu Festival - Bac Lieu. The A prize winning work - "East wind brightens the land of nine dragons" clearly analyzed: "Choosing Bac Lieu as the place to organize the first Don Ca Tai Tu Festival of the whole country (April 2014), a major cultural event of national and international significance, besides being the homeland of the king of music "Da co hoai lang" is probably because Bac Lieu always "speeds up but opens its heart" to everyone, to culture. The whole city of Bac Lieu is like a big construction site, bustling for the big festival".

The article also analyzed that when Bac Lieu chooses culture as an important factor on the path of development, "it will gather and more strongly awaken the cultural values ​​hidden in each person". Although he is from another province, the author has absorbed and recognized the abundant cultural resources in Bac Lieu: "That is the cultural diversity of Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, Cham; the love, nostalgia for the fields, the Hong Dan canal, the salt fields or the Nghinh Ong festival (Dong Hai). That is the integrity and integrity of "the blood of Dong Noc Nang". That is the utmost dedication to the homeland and country of many mothers and sisters. That is the liberal anecdotes that create the brand of the Bac Lieu Prince"...

The above are just three typical examples of many journalists who have been to Bac Lieu, loved this place and with their feelings, understanding and responsibility, have offered advice and suggestions on both the advantages and disadvantages so that Bac Lieu can promote the good, overcome the bad and position itself on the development journey.

CAM THUY

Source: https://baocamau.vn/ve-bac-lieu-yeu-va-viet--a76575.html