Farewell to Journalist Vu Dao - a brave soldier, dedicated to his profession

The heart of Soldier Journalist Vu Dao of the Editorial Board of VNA Domestic News stopped beating at 4:10 a.m. on April 16, 2025 (ie March 19, At Ty year), leaving behind endless grief for a kind, courageous, humble journalist who was passionate about the news profession, and who devoted his whole life to the news agency career, the glorious career of revolutionary journalism.

Journalist Vu Dao, whose birth name is Nguyen Van Dao, was born on December 6, 1929 in Nam Trieu commune, Phu Xuyen district, Ha Dong province (former Ha Tay), now part of Hanoi city.

The 16-year-old boy - Vu Dao enthusiastically participated in activities in his hometown and was an enthusiastic and energetic Secretary of the National Salvation Youth. From an information officer, secretary of the Viet Minh commune committee, Phu Xuyen district Party Committee Office, he soon left to do media work in Life and the Party.

At the age of 19 (in 1948), Mr. Vu Dao became a rare young Party member in his hometown. At the age of 21, he became the Chief of the Phu Xuyen District Party Committee Office. At the age of 23, he became the Head of the District Information Department. At the age of 24, with his youthful strength, not afraid of difficulties and hardships, he joined the Vietnamese volunteer army service group in the Upper Laos campaign in Sam Neua, as a deputy political commissar of a transport unit; then he continued to be transferred to Council E48 under Division 320 of the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring plan.

After returning from the front, he worked as an inspector at the Inter-zone 3 Front Supply Council. He was then assigned to be in charge of the Information Department of the Propaganda and Arts Department of Nam Dinh city.

In 1955, Mr. Vu Dao's life turned a new page when he was transferred to Vietnam News Agency, from which he became attached to the News Agency career. He worked, studied, researched documents, and arranged work for his agency and family to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree.

He was the Chief of Vietnam News Agency's branch in Zone 3, resident reporter in Hong Quang Zone (now Quang Ninh), and the first Chief of Vietnam News Agency's branch in Hanoi.

In 1968, he went to battlefield B in Zone 5, he was the Head of the Liberation News Agency working group in the Phu Khanh area (Phu Yen-Khanh Hoa). Later, he was transferred to be the Head of the Central Liberation News Agency working group (Zone 5) under the Propaganda Department of the Zone 5 Party Committee.

This was a period when the country was fighting fiercely against the invasion of the American Empire, but he still overcame all difficulties and hardships to excellently complete the tasks assigned by the Party, the State and the Vietnam News Agency.

In 1973, after completing his mission in the B battlefield, he returned to the General Office, worked at the Domestic News Editorial Board, and was assigned the duties of Acting Head of the Industry and Trade Subcommittee, Member of the Northern News Editorial Board, and then Deputy Head of the Domestic News Editorial Board. For a time, he was assigned to be the Deputy Director of the Vocational School of the News Agency, then returned to work as Deputy Head of the Domestic News Editorial Board, Senior Specialist until his retirement.

Even after retirement, he still worked as a “vigilant” to read and review the “flower” edition of the newly-launched News Week newspaper of the Central News Agency. So he was able to continue his journalism career for many more years until his health no longer allowed it.

He lived a peaceful old age, sometimes in Hanoi, sometimes back in his hometown, setting an example of virtue and thrift, doing good deeds for his neighbors and descendants.

Generations of reporters and editors of VNA always respected Mr. Vu Dao not only because of his age as the eldest brother, eldest uncle... but also because of his humility, tolerance and kindness. He almost never got angry, raised his voice, lectured or demanded benefits. He also did not have any merit or position, even though he was a member of the previous generation of the Vietnam News Agency.

Recalling his memories during his time working, one time I was assigned to the Northwest, regardless of the hardships, journalist Vu Dao personally discussed, gave instructions and brought them to Son La province to hand over to the local leaders for help.

Besides, he also contributed significantly to the establishment and expansion of the VNA's Resident Office in difficult and complicated areas across the country. The reporters of the 8th, GP10 and later courses all have deep feelings for him.

His eagerness to learn, determination, caution, calmness and the vibrant reality of his life as a Journalist - Soldier have trained him to become a reporter, a trustworthy person in charge of the permanent agency in key areas.

Journalist Vu Dao's life was full of hardship and deprivation. Few people knew that he only had a small apartment on the top floor of the Vietnam News Agency's apartment building. When he returned to his hometown to live in his final years, he still lived in the level 4 house his parents left him.

Only a few of his closest friends knew that he only had 43 dollars that he kept forever, which was the lucky money from his colleagues who had come back from overseas to wish their grandparents a happy new year. The late journalist Duong Duc Quang, a junior of a former war correspondent in Zone 5, called him the “Gray-haired but not-gray-hearted” journalist, which was truly righteous, sincere, and reasonable! There was an interesting detail about him when he was the one who read and reviewed his own draft of the eulogy when he was weak but still clear-headed.

Contributing a part of his efforts in the resistance wars that ended his life of nearly a hundred years, Journalist Vu Dao will forever be an example of a dedicated person, passionate about his profession, a person in charge of gratitude.

In his old age, he became more and more straightforward, exemplary, loyal, and kind to everyone, and was respected by his colleagues and friends as a giant tree of the Vietnam News Agency. The image of Mr. Dao is beautiful yet simple, close yet profound.

With 97 years of age and more than 75 years of Party membership, he left behind so much affection for his family and neighbors. Sending Mr. Vu Dao off to the world of the virtuous, in the context of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, towards the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the founding of VNA (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2025), we will always remember a true man, a person of the elder generation, the father and uncle of many generations of VNA Domestic News cadres, editors, reporters, a very beloved and respected comrade and colleague.

Tran Dinh Thao (Former reporter of VNA)

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/vinh-biet-nha-bao-vu-dao-mot-chien-sy-ban-linh-tam-huyet-voi-nghe-post1033455.vnp