Meet journalist Ha Dang - a "monument" in the profession

As someone who follows the media, I have had the opportunity to work and talk with many famous journalists, most recently meeting with veteran journalist Ha Dang. When I asked for an interview, journalist Ha Dang immediately accepted because he said he was very interested in the story "Preserving Party spirit - the "red thread" of Vietnam's revolutionary journalism" that I mentioned.

Of course, the pressure on me at that time was huge. There had never been a meeting that made me so nervous and had to come up with so many “combat” plans. Partly because I was concerned about his health, and partly because I was a little nervous when facing and talking to a veteran with a lot of experience in directing, managing the press, working in journalism and writing for newspapers.

He has had more than 70 years of passionate and close involvement in the political, ideological, cultural and press front with many experienced positions: Member of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Ideology and Culture Committee (now the Central Propaganda Committee), Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine...

“Overcoming” all my worries, journalist Ha Dang, although now 96 years old, when talking about the Party, Uncle Ho, journalism… is still very open, enthusiastic, and passionate. Therefore, talking with him in these June days feels like the story is captivating, never ending. Before leaving, he also read me a poem he wrote, very happy and interesting… Through that conversation, he helped me understand more about journalism in the past and present, understand more about a life of dedication, and also gain many valuable experiences and lessons for today.

I still remember his advice that, despite many challenges, the responsibility of the press is still to protect the regime, to bring the Party's guidelines, lines and policies into life. We must go deep into life, find every way to reflect life to speak from the vivid reality out there. In particular, I have also "memorized" his point of view that to become a true journalist, one needs to have three factors: virtue, talent and political courage. These three factors are like the principle of "three-legged stool", keeping journalists always steady and steadfast in their profession.