Journalist Huu Nghia: Thank you to the Youth Volunteers of Truong Bon.

Journalist Huu Nghia – Head of the News Department of Nghe An Newspaper – was deeply moved and surprised to learn that his work "Reuniting with a Benefactor" was awarded the B prize (there was no A prize) at the 7th National Journalism Awards. This award, presented on the occasion of the 88th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Journalism Day, is a joy and honor not only for journalist Huu Nghia but also a source of pride and affirmation for Nghe An Newspaper and the journalistic activities of the province. We managed to record the journalist's thoughts before he left for Hanoi to receive the award.

During the period when the whole country was focusing on the program "Truong Bon, Legend and Gratitude" commemorating the 44th anniversary of the historic Truong Bon event, many major activities took place at this location. At that time, Nghe An Newspaper was launching the first "Golden Moment" art-journalism photography competition. I had some photos on the theme of the sea to participate in the competition, but I felt it wasn't enough. It seemed, according to the intuition of a writer and photographer, that something was still missing. It was as if the breath of life hadn't yet appeared in my work.

Coincidentally, the Editorial Board assigned me, photographer Sy Minh, and reporter Thanh Le to cover the historical site of Truong Bon. Always conscious of capturing these historical events through my lens, I proactively sought out topics and subjects to photograph. After taking several photos, I decided to invite Ms. Tran Thi Thong, who was then in the field hall and the sole survivor of the bombing 44 years ago, to light incense at the graves of her former Youth Volunteer Corps comrades to capture this moving image. At that moment, many other photographers also joined in. However, it seemed that the tears had dried up in the eyes of the former squad leader. The idea of ​​capturing a surge of emotion in this situation became difficult to achieve. Suddenly, as Ms. Thong finished lighting the incense and turned to leave, a man rushed out, embraced Ms. Tran Thi Thong, and choked back tears. Almost without thinking, I instinctively turned my camera and started clicking away, not missing a single detail of this precious moment. At that time, I didn't even know who the man was.

That evening, upon reviewing the photos, I found them very soulful, and photographer Sy Minh also gave very positive feedback. The next day, along with the news report, the photo "Reuniting with a Benefactor" was prominently featured on the front page of Nghe An Newspaper, considered a highlight of the 44th anniversary of the historic Truong Bon battle. By then, I knew for sure that the male figure in the photo was Mr. Le Tien Vinh, a former Youth Volunteer of Company 307, who had dug up, found, and rescued Mrs. Tran Thi Thong (Squad Leader of Squad 2, Company 317) from the rubble, becoming the only survivor among the 14 people who perished in the fierce bombing on the morning of October 31, 1968. The photo, capturing the reunion of two comrades, who were also benefactors from the past, exactly 44 years later, was taken at 8:00 AM on October 27, 2012, the 44th anniversary of the Truong Bon victory. With its solid, strong composition and the lighting highlighting the subject—the poignant emotion of two comrades reuniting—their uniforms and graying hair pressed together in a moment of overwhelming emotion, all combine to create the historical value and precious "golden moment" of this work. Because of this, the photograph won first prize in the first "Golden Moment" photo contest organized by Nghe An Newspaper in 2012. Even more remarkably, "Reuniting with Benefactors" was awarded the B prize (there was no A prize) by the judging panel of the 7th National Journalism Awards.

Commenting on this work, Comrade Nguyen The Ky - Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department - stated that it is a valuable work capturing a moment, with high political significance. The photograph is brimming with information in the context of a reunion after 44 years, a prime example of specific heroes. The National Award judging panel succinctly assessed it as "a work of genuine value."

As a print journalist, I'm also passionate about photography. In truth, I pick up my camera with the mindset of someone wanting to capture the most poignant moments of life. With every step I take, in every page I write, each photograph I capture is a message about life, a gift to life today.

Tran Hai (recorded)