75 years of spirit and a call to action for the new generation of journalists

1. Although 75 years have passed, the story of the school that only opened and trained one course in a short period of time (3 months) is still told by the journalist generation with many interesting stories. In early April 1949, under the direction of President Ho Chi Minh, in Bo Ra hamlet, Tan Thai commune, Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province, the bamboo and thatch school named "Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School" officially opened and became the first journalism training facility born in the flames of the war against French colonialism.

The school's Board of Directors was directly appointed by the Viet Minh General Department. The Director was journalist Do Duc Duc, the Deputy Director was journalist Xuan Thuy, and the members were journalists Nhu Phong, Do Phon, and Tu Mo. Many famous revolutionaries and journalists participated in teaching, such as comrades Truong Chinh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Hoang Quoc Viet, Le Quang Dao, To Huu, Xuan Thuy, Ha Xuan Truong, Nguyen Thanh Le, Quang Dam, Nhu Phong, Tu Giay, Vu Dinh Hoe, Nguyen Van Hai, Tran Dinh Tho, Nguyen Huy Tuong, The Lu, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Nam Cao, etc.

Suddenly, we remembered the students who were lucky enough to have their names associated with the beautiful historical stories here. Journalist Ly Thi Trung - when she joined the class at that time, she was only in her twenties, full of enthusiasm and aspiration. Her fellow students were journalists such as journalists Tran Kien, Hien Nam - Doc Lap Newspaper; Ngo Tung - Lao Dong Newspaper; Mai Ho - Quan Guerrilla Newspaper; Nong Viet Liem - Doc Lap Newspaper in Cao Bang; Mai Thanh Hai - Cuu Quoc Newspaper...

She said that the class lasted only 3 months from the opening in April 1949 to the closing in July 1949. According to Ms. Trung, the class was not only about teaching how to write an article but also about publishing, printing, and even had lectures on food safety, poetry, painting, and shooting training sessions... Ms. Trung also confided that equipping a multi-talented, complete journalist to be able to understand all aspects of social life, so that when writing about any field, they would have basic, fundamental understanding... was perhaps a rare uniqueness in the circumstances of hunger, not having enough food to eat, not having enough clothes to wear at that time.

Recalling the memories of those school days, Mrs. Trung recited the poem she wrote on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the school's founding for us to listen to: "Remembering the old days when I went to class/Just a knife thrown/From Luc Ba - Bo Ra/It was not until late afternoon that I arrived". She choked up and said that every time she mentioned her old school, her heart was filled with anxiety because of her old age and weak health: "Many teachers have passed away/The students' hearts are filled with emotion/Many friends are absent/Looking at their pictures, I miss each one"...

75 years of the beat and a call for a new generation of journalists image 1 — Student Ly Thi Trung and male students of Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School. Photo courtesy of the Press Museum

2. We stood on the historic land of Bo Ra next to the renovation and restoration project of Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School, our hearts filled with boundless joy and pride. With the desire to continue to preserve and promote the value and historical stature of the Relic, the Vietnam Journalists Association has directed the establishment of a renovation and restoration project and in just a short time, a new appearance commensurate with the stature of a National Historical Relic will appear here, a meaningful mark that journalists across the country are eagerly awaiting.

Having high confidence and expectations for this relic, journalist Phan Huu Minh - Former member of the Standing Committee, former Head of the Inspection Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association said: This project is located near the National Tourist Area of Nui Coc Lake in Tan Thai Commune, Dai Tu District, where all conditions will be met to display and introduce the resistance journalism in the Viet Bac resistance zone, press agencies such as: Nhan Dan Newspaper, People's Army, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Journalists Association... were all born and developed here.

This can be considered the Press Center of the Viet Bac region, later this place will be the place to welcome journalists from all over the country to learn about the resistance journalism. Currently, the items are being built on schedule, with 3 units, including the Viet Minh Headquarters house, the houses of teachers and students of the Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School at that time. The buildings have mountainous architecture, materials such as bamboo, palm leaves, stilt houses, ... using durable materials. The project is expected to be completed in time for the 100th Anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. Most importantly, according to journalist Phan Huu Minh, this will also be the place to restore and recreate short-term teaching classes for journalists and to educate and spread Uncle Ho's thoughts on revolutionary journalism, the qualifications of revolutionary journalists ...

3. Returning to the Huynh Thuc Khang journalism school for us is like returning to the source, remembering beloved Uncle Ho. President Ho Chi Minh sent letters twice to encourage, teach, and guide the students in revolutionary journalism. In the letter, there was a passage that said: “ …This class is the first journalism class. I hope that you guys and girls will compete to study and practice to be worthy pioneers on the journalism front. The press must also carry out the slogan: All for victory!”.

75 years of the beat and a call for a new generation of journalists, image 2 — In early 2024, the Vietnam Journalists Association started the project to restore and embellish the historical relic of Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School. Photo: Son Hai

Abiding by his teachings, 42 students, most of whom are cadres and press reporters working in press agencies from all over the country, after graduating all became journalists and cultural and artistic activists who are pillars of the country. Uncle Ho's great expectations for the Huynh Thuc Khang journalism class also meant that he trusted and entrusted the "mission" and responsibility to journalists on the cultural and ideological front. That trust continues to spread, is the red thread that runs through today, continuing the journey of dedication of revolutionary journalists.

It can be said that the spirit of the times is gathered in the spirit of “All for victory”. It is not only a matter of “learning and practicing”, but also as journalist Do Duc Duc – Director of Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School declared: “This closing ceremony is also the departure for the platoon of 42 soldiers to rush to the front to compete with the enemy!” … still meaningful today.

The journalistic mindset of 75 years ago carried the breath and spirit of the era of "competing with the enemy", and today that spirit is the determination and bravery on the information and propaganda front. That will be the spirit of the journalist - soldier on the front line of fighting against negativity and corruption, the spirit of "surpassing oneself" in the spirit of serious and careful work in the profession, the preservation of ethics, constant innovation, serving the people... Uncle Ho's advice is still relevant, becoming the motivation, belief and lesson for journalists today.

Ha Van

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