Newspaper in the heart of the people

Hoa Binh Newspaper No. 2, printed in wax, handwritten, published on February 20, 1956. Photo courtesy

Peace and Unity goes to the grassroots

According to the spirit of the Geneva Agreement, we handed over the revolutionary-controlled areas to the puppet government, disbanded the armed forces, sent cadres to regroup, and the Party organization withdrew into secret activities. The women's and peasant organizations for national salvation were dissolved, leaving only the Youth Labor Union (abbreviated as Thanh Lao). The method of struggle was transformed from armed struggle to political struggle.

In August 1954, the Provincial Party Committee was secretly organized with comrade Nguyen Van Khuoc as Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, continuing to direct the building of the Party organization, conducting press, propaganda and educational activities to stabilize the ideology and raise awareness of cadres, Party members and people in the new situation.

During this time, the goal of the revolution was to fight for peace and national unification. Therefore, the Provincial Party Committee decided to name the provincial newspaper Hoa Binh. Later, it was changed to Hoa Binh Thong Nhat according to the policy of the Provincial Party Committee. The newspaper was printed in wax, typed, 16 x 19cm in size. The newspaper's mantel was drawn on wax paper and printed very beautifully. At that time, comrade Vo Van Pham - Provincial Party Committee member was the editor-in-chief, the propaganda cadres of the province were responsible for editing and printing.

The content of the newspaper continued to explain the victory of the Geneva Agreement; pointed out the methods of fighting terrorism, fighting against communists, demanding people's livelihood and democracy, exposing the enemy's sabotage plot, mobilizing the masses to fight politically for negotiations, moving towards a general election to unify the country. The revolutionary masses at that time were very thirsty for news about revolutionary activities. Therefore, the Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper at that time had a great spiritual influence on people's lives. Whoever had the Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper in their hands was proud, honored and considered a base insider. The newspaper was secretly published, passed through revolutionary bases and widely reached the people.

In mid-1958, most of the editorial comrades in the editorial office were hunted down by the enemy and arrested. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper was suspended for a short time, then continued to be published, printed on half a sheet of wax paper (15 x 20cm), handwritten. At this time, comrade Nguyen Thi Dinh was the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, directly directing the newspaper's activities; comrade Nguyen Van Thanh (Ba Kien) was in charge. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper published articles praising the brave and indomitable sacrifices of cadres and people in the movement to fight against conscription, against terrorism, to protect the Party, to protect the revolution, and the political struggles of the masses. In addition, news sheets and propaganda documents in the districts were still printed and published until 1958 when the enemy fiercely attacked the bases, then it was temporarily suspended.

Dong Khoi Event 1960

Implementing Resolution 15 of the Party Central Committee at the end of 1959, the Provincial Party Committee launched the uprising. At this time, the editorial office of Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper had only 3 comrades, Nguyen Van Thanh (Ba Kien), Vo Van Thuan and Doan Van Bo (Doan Tu), who were staying at the Minh Duc commune base. The editorial office was ordered to move to Binh Khanh commune to be closer to the Dong Khoi leadership board. The Provincial Party Committee assigned comrade Nguyen Van Thanh to be in charge of the newspaper, closely following the steering committee to implement the uprising order and helping the base draft and print the Military Order of Battalion Commander 502 Le Thiet Hung.

On January 17, 1960, the uprising broke out and achieved great victories in three key communes: Dinh Thuy, Binh Khanh, Phuoc Hiep and quickly spread throughout the province. News of victories in various places continuously excited people. The comrades in charge of printing became even more excited, working day and night to distribute leaflets, newsletters, military documents, and appeals. The Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper actively encouraged, motivated, and urged the people to rise up, calling on soldiers to surrender and return to the people, while warning the evil and stubborn.

By March 1960, the editorial office of Hoa Binh Thong Nhat newspaper was located in An Ninh hamlet, Binh Khanh commune (now Mo Cay Nam district) under the direction of comrade Nguyen Van Thanh, with editors including comrades Le Chi Nhan, Doan Tu, and Vo Van Thuan. The newspaper's motto and purpose became determined to fight and win. The editorial office proposed to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and was approved to change the newspaper's name to Chien Thang. Chien Thang newspaper entered the fierce period of resistance against the US, leaving a brilliant mark in the history of revolutionary journalism in the province and the people with many impressive articles. At the same time, it trained a generation of brave and talented revolutionary journalists.

T. Copper (synthetic)

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/toa-soan-bao-trong-long-dan-26032025-a144228.html