Following the footsteps of journalist Hai Trieu: Hai Trieu's name is 'a valuable asset'

HUE HAS A JOURNALIST LIKE THAT

In order to rename the Thua Thien-Hue provincial press award (now Hue City), in 2019, with careful steps, journalists in Hue as well as the relevant agencies organized to collect opinions from many agencies and researchers... However, among dozens of journalists who have contributed to Hue over the years, choosing a worthy name for the award was quite a feat. Journalist Duong Phuoc Thu, former Permanent Vice President of the Hue City Journalists Association, analyzed that Hue is the ancient capital, so intellectuals from all over the country gathered there. Because of this, throughout history, the press in Hue has been very vibrant, with many big names emerging.

The 2019 scientific discussion organized by the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, the Department of Information and Communications, and the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Journalists Association received many comments on the 13 names of journalists introduced, including: Dam Phuong nu su, Buu Dinh, Nguyen Khanh Toan, Nguyen Cuu Thanh, Hai Trieu, Tran Thanh Mai, Pham Ba Nguyen, Thanh Tinh, Nguyen Khoa Boi Lan, Ton That Duong Ky, Hai Thanh, Thanh Hai, Ngo Duy Dam. Journalist Truong Dien Thong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Hue Today Newspaper, said that in his role as a member of the Standing Committee of the Hue Journalists Association, he had participated in many seminars and conferences on naming the award, but in the end, the name Hai Trieu remained.

Journalist Bui Ngoc Long ( Thanh Nien Newspaper) received second prize at the Hai Trieu Journalism Award 2024.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

"The Journalists Association organized a consultation with researchers, veteran journalists, and listened to the opinions of fellow journalists... Among the many opinions supporting the name Hai Trieu award, there was me. Our press is revolutionary press. Mr. Hai Trieu is a Marxist, a revolutionary journalist, especially he is from Thua Thien-Hue. We have such a valuable asset, so there is no reason to choose another person. This award is a provincial award, so we should choose a famous journalist who is a son of the homeland," said Mr. Thong.

However, at the meeting chaired by Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho, then Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, to listen to comments, there were still many conflicting opinions. "I attended the meeting directly and spoke: Mr. Hai Trieu has been included in textbooks, and many localities have named streets after him. If there are any opinions, people have already commented. Hue has a journalist like that, a mountain peak like that, if we don't choose, another province will. After listening to opinions, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decided to name the Hai Trieu tournament for the first time in 2020. By 2025, it will be the 6th season," Mr. Thong added.

B PRESS TOGETHER BUILDING "HUE DREAM "

Journalist Duong Phuoc Thu, when he was working at the Hue City Journalists Association, diligently searched for documents about journalist Hai Trieu to consolidate his contributions to the local revolutionary press. "In a locality like Hue, there needs to be a journalist worthy of the award's name. I do these things with the hope that journalist Hai Trieu's contributions will be duly recognized, and that future generations will know about the Hai Trieu press award and understand who he is," Mr. Thu shared.

Journalist Truong Dien Thong said that after changing the name to Hai Trieu Press Award, the stature of Hue City's press award will be raised, creating a buzz in the region, and the value of the award will also be increased. Currently, the first prize is worth 15 million VND, the special prize is 20 million VND awarded by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. In fact, since changing the name, Hai Trieu Press Award has attracted many authors from many press agencies in and outside the locality to write about Hue, contributing to building the "Hue Dream".

As a member of the jury, journalist Truong Dien Thong assessed that each season, more writers participated. The number of entries increased, and the quality of the awards was also improved. Since the Hai Trieu award, many works have won the Golden Hammer and Sickle award and the national press award. To ensure objectivity and fairness, the organizing committee invited "professional" and impartial jury members, including representatives of the main press agencies of Hue City, veteran journalists of central newspapers, and the professional board of the Vietnam Journalists Association. All jury members scored independently. If the scores between the judges differed by 1.5 points, they had to be clarified.

"How can journalists see the Hai Trieu Journalism Award as a fair and equal playground? How can people see that their intelligence is properly respected, then the award will become more and more attractive...", Mr. Thong said. Journalist Nguyen Thi Phuong Nam, Director of Thua Thien-Hue Radio and Television Station, President of the Hue City Journalists Association, assessed that in the past 2 years, the quality of participating works has clearly improved. The topics are rich, comprehensive, with many journalistic perspectives, with discovery, criticism and construction. 2024 is the year with the largest number of entries ever with 100 works entering the final round.

"2025 is the first year that Hue City is directly under the Central Government, the Hai Trieu Press Award will also be implemented early and widely with the hope of attracting more journalists and press agencies nationwide. In 2025, Hue will join the flow of celebrating the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's revolutionary press with honor and pride. The Award will focus on works that clearly demonstrate the professional work and dedication of journalists, thereby honoring and recognizing the journalistic creativity of journalists," said Ms. Phuong Nam. ( continued)

Real name and pen name are both named after streets

In Hue City, in addition to naming a journalism award, Hai Trieu was also named after a street running along the An Cuu River, opposite An Cuu Market (in Thuan Hoa District). Notably, his real name, Nguyen Khoa Van, was also named after a street in Phu Bai Ward (Huong Thuy Town). Journalist Hai Trieu was awarded the First Class Resistance Medal, the First Class Independence Medal, and the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts, Phase 1 (1996) by the State.