The story of a reporter working in a 'stormy sea'

To record photos, film footage, and interviews with people in Truong Sa and DK1 platform, in addition to being "well-versed" in the profession and having good health, reporters must have "specialized sensitivity" in their work.

Reporters leaving the ship to the island. Photo: Mai Thang

Only then can they produce unique photos and special articles filled with emotion. In other words, journalistic works must be “written and photographed with a passion for the profession”.

In my 25 years of working in journalism, I have always observed a thing that is considered “unchangeable”: “An excellent journalistic work must certainly be a genuine work”. That means the work must be written, photographed, and penetrated from reality by the author. Only writing and photographing in the field, in real circumstances can “produce” an excellent journalistic work. The more difficult and arduous the place, the better the writing, the more beautiful and high-quality the photos.

Working at Truong Sa Dong Island. Photo: Mai Thang

Among the many places I have set foot on, Truong Sa and DK1 platform are the most special. It is not only the most sacred land of the Fatherland at the forefront of the wind and waves, but also the "embodiment" of national sovereignty, affirming and announcing to the world that: Truong Sa and Hoang Sa are forever sacred and inviolable territories of Vietnam, 15 DK1 platforms are "fortresses guarding national sovereignty at sea" guarding the exclusive economic zone of the Fatherland. On those fortresses is the military training place for officers and soldiers of DK1 platform of Naval Region 2.

Fellow Nghe An people meet on the large Truong Sa island. Photo: Mai Thang

Reporters of newspapers and radio stations going to Truong Sa, DK1 always get priority to get on the first boat to work. Sitting on the boat, using the lens to record the image of hundreds of people dropping flowers to commemorate the Truong Sa martyrs at Co Lin sea area, a boundless feeling of pride that not every reporter is lucky enough to experience.

Reporter Ngoc Ha was moved to hug Corporal Truong Huu Tuan, from Dien Truong commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An on Da Dong C island, when he heard stories about the training and being away from home of Truong Sa soldiers. Photo: Mai Thang

Spratly IslandsThere are 21 islands, island points/33 military bases. Each small island is located in a different special defensive position and is associated with the history of fighting, liberation, construction and growth. Therefore, to choose a beautiful corner of the island to take pictures and interview a character, the reporter already has a "plan" in mind.

As an officer of the DK1 platform, when I arrived at Truong Sa, I learned from experience that: "You must take a "unique, strange" photo, and don't forget to "find your fellow countrymen on the island". The first question after shaking hands with the soldiers was "Where are you from? Are there any soldiers from Nghe An?". And this was also the "first information" I exploited: "Nghe An soldiers at the forefront of the wind and waves".

Reporter interviews soldiers on Truong Sa Dong island. Photo: Mai Thang

25 years of journalism, although not yet considered a "veteran", but still have some experience working in difficult and arduous places. In addition to "unique" shooting angles, you must capture "panoramic, medium, close-up" shots. Especially, you must "capture the action" of the character. When the character is overwhelmed with emotion, you must capture the tearful eyes. The act of parting cannot lack "tightening the arms" and "four eyes looking at each other", or "emotional shoulders". You must "depict" your emotions through the character's actions. You must "make" the character talk to you "through the method" of asking about your hometown, sharing, confiding in your hometown of Nghe An....

Captain Cao Van Tat (from Dien Chau) was excited to meet Private Ho Van Bao (from Quynh Luu) in Truong Sa. Captain Cao Van Tat shared: "On every island, I always look for my fellow countrymen. When I hear someone speak Nghe dialect, I immediately ask where they are from. It feels so warm to meet my fellow countrymen in the middle of the vast Truong Sa." Photo: Mai Thang

Working in Truong Sa is a “special job” with special island soldiers. Therefore, each reporter must “take pictures and write at all costs” vivid journalistic works imbued with the breath and vitality of Truong Sa. The message must be conveyed that Truong Sa and DK1 are the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. In that faraway place, there are children who carry in their hearts and devote all their love to the sea and islands of their homeland, Vietnam./.