Confessions of a collaborator

(Baonghean) - Nghe An Newspaper is becoming better, more beautiful, and more loved and trusted by readers. This is largely due to the dedicated contributions of our contributors. Their common trait is their enthusiasm, their willingness to overcome difficulties, and their close contact with the grassroots to promptly send the editorial office excellent articles and valuable information, enriching the content, improving the quality of the newspaper, and meeting the information needs of our readers… On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day, Nghe An Newspaper would like to share with readers the thoughts and feelings of our contributors – the extended arms of the newspaper.

Concerns shared with the Party newspaper.

As a long-time reader of Nghe An Newspaper, I have a few thoughts and suggestions for the provincial Party newspaper. Firstly, it can be affirmed that Nghe An Newspaper is a leading force in shaping public opinion. Secondly, looking at the number of articles by Nghe An Newspaper reporters that have received provincial and national journalism awards, it can be assessed that the newspaper's reporting team has made encouraging progress. Thirdly, in addition to its professional staff, Nghe An Newspaper has assembled a large team of contributors, particularly attracting reputable contributors from other localities and central newspapers. Fourthly, the newspaper has demonstrated its guiding principle and purpose as a local Party newspaper: "The voice of the Party, government, and people of Nghe An." Maintaining this in a market economy is highly commendable…

However, to make Nghe An Newspaper stronger, more stable, more attractive, and truly beneficial to leaders at all levels, government officials, and the general public, I would like to add a few points as follows: Firstly, perhaps Nghe An Newspaper should conduct an annual sociological survey with contents such as: How many officials from the grassroots to the provincial level regularly read Nghe An Newspaper? How many people read and subscribe to Nghe An Newspaper?... Through this, we can understand the true "attractiveness" of the newspaper to officials and the people; understand what information people need, what information they lack, and what they want to gain from Nghe An Newspaper? From there, we can provide the information and knowledge that the people and officials need and better fulfill our role as "the voice of the people of Nghe An". Secondly, in addition to addressing social issues that the newspaper has covered with numerous noteworthy articles, perhaps it should also address issues related to the Party's leadership and the role of the government... in order to contribute to "awakening" the development process of our homeland.

Truong Cong Anh

"Perceptive, creative, and sharp."

During the sweltering days of May, the Nghe An newspaper published a series of feature articles titled "Nghe An Fishermen Venturing Out to Sea." Without careful observation or keen insight, one might think this was just another ordinary series of articles on a common topic, like any other. And it would simply be a routine task for the newspaper and its reporters. If that were the case, there would be nothing remarkable about it. But someone with a keen eye, who understands how to place this series of articles, imbued with the spirit of the sea and the sweat of the fishermen, within the context of China's unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in the South China Sea, would fully appreciate the ingenuity and skill of the newspaper's editorial board in sending reporters to accompany the fishermen of Quynh Luu out to sea.

First of all, it's clear that the choice of topic at such a sensitive time demonstrated the newspaper's keen political insight and its wise and astute will to protect and assert Vietnam's maritime sovereignty. The series of articles vividly and vividly portrays the lives of fishermen. There is absolutely no mention of the aforementioned outrageous and unreasonable fishing ban, yet it conveys a profound message: Vietnamese fishermen continue to calmly venture out to sea. No one pays any attention to whether or not someone is banning fishing. Because it is our sea and sky. We are free to roam, cast our nets, and fish; how can outsiders stop us? Those people have no right to interfere violently with the sovereignty of our country's seas and islands. If they make false announcements, that's their business. It has nothing to do with the daily work of our fishermen. That is the answer, a very clear and concise response, and also a firm affirmation that that part of the sea belongs to Vietnam's sovereignty, the Vietnamese have the right to sail and cast their nets, and in fact, they are still anchoring and hauling in their nets.

As the saying goes, "from a single drop of water you can see the forest," meaning that from a single drop of water you can see the entire ocean. If one needs to say a few words about the quality of propaganda in Nghe An newspaper recently, then simply through the series of articles mentioned above, one can conclude that: Nghe An newspaper is becoming increasingly perceptive, creative, and insightful.

Duy Huong

The joys and sorrows of being a writer!

I first joined Nghe An Newspaper at the end of 2013. After several rounds of writing and "trial work," I finally got a job writing for the Forum Events and Casual Corner sections, and occasionally, when I felt inspired, I would also "drop by" the Economics page under the pen name An Khanh. Writing has been full of hardships and joys. The hardest part is running out of articles. More than once, I was "stunned" when I received a call from the Mountain Region Department.

The most "painful" experience was during a business trip abroad. That day, I was "targeted" by Ms. Thuy Vinh, Head of the Mountain Region Weekend Department. I was on an island, with only two hours left until the deadline, no computer, and no internet access... I had to "prepare" the article in my head, then run to the beach to call a colleague. The only option at that moment was to "compose" the article while simultaneously dictating it to my friend to transcribe. The next day, I checked the internet and was relieved to see the article published with all the commas intact. Apparently, this remote emergency response cost me 450,000 VND in phone charges, equivalent to the payment for that forum article! I laughed because I was happy. I laughed because the newspaper had taught me how to overcome difficulties if I still had... enthusiasm.

The second challenge is the topic and content. To put it mildly, given the "character" of the Forum Events section, there's plenty to write about. But what to write, how to write it, and even how far to write is a series of questions that need careful consideration. Being too "tame" might not appeal to readers, while being too "aggressive" is also not advisable... Jokingly, it's "write when you feel like it," but being too strict can be problematic! Then there's the issue of "copying" other people's work; if you're interested in something, others are interested too. Luckily, you're quick to submit your article, otherwise it could easily be removed. In that case, it's a waste of time and effort.

There are many joys and sorrows in journalism, but the greatest joy is being able to write, to experience, to learn, and to contribute. And the sadness? The saddest thing is sometimes coming across an old newspaper and finding my article still... brand new. It seems that some organizations, some people, some times newspapers are neatly arranged when they arrive. It's so disheartening! There were times I considered giving up writing, but then all the anxieties about life would surge within me, and I would type again, send again...

Nguyen Khac An