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My 'key figures' in journalism
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Culture & Society

My 'key figures' in journalism

From Thanh Niên · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The author reflects on the importance of "key figures" in journalism, describing them as the "lifeblood" of a series of works.
  • The author recounts their experience finding poet Nguyễn Khoa Điềm, son of journalist Hải Triều, who helped uncover personal details behind his father's public life.
  • This pursuit of personal stories behind historical figures is crucial for understanding the past.

The author reflects on the profound impact of "key figures" in journalism, likening them to the "lifeblood" that gives soul to a series of works. These individuals, often deeply connected to the subject matter, are essential for transforming factual reporting into compelling narratives.

The author shares a particularly memorable experience involving poet Nguyễn Khoa Điềm, the son of the renowned journalist Hải Triều. The pursuit of understanding Hải Triều's life led the author to Điềm, who provided intimate details that bridged the gap between dry historical records and the personal reality of a significant figure in Vietnamese revolutionary journalism. This encounter was pivotal for a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism.

Điềm's humble recounting of his relationship with his father, who was often away on revolutionary duties, revealed a personal quest for knowledge about his own father. He described understanding Hải Triều through the lens of a student examining documents and listening to family accounts. This personal connection, facilitated by Điềm, allowed the author to access the human dimension behind the historical persona.

To understand more about him, I probably need to continue researching, to make more discoveries...

— Nguyễn Khoa ĐiềmThe poet expressed his ongoing desire to learn more about his father, a sentiment that deeply resonated with the author and fueled their continued work.

The author also mentions another "key figure," Superior Monk Thích Huệ Vinh, abbot of Quán Thế Âm Pagoda in Da Nang. Vinh was central to a series exploring the "Mysteries of the Five Elements Mountains." This highlights the author's method of seeking out individuals who hold unique knowledge or perspectives, essential for bringing complex or legendary topics to life.

The narrative emphasizes the difficulty in writing about such subjects, cautioning against relying solely on folklore or overly academic approaches. The author's dedication to finding these personal connections underscores a commitment to nuanced and deeply human reporting.

I still remember the feeling of standing on the stage receiving the first prize of the Hải Triều Journalism Award in 2025 in Huế. The person who handed me the trophy was none other than Mr. Nguyễn Khoa Điềm – the person I had repeatedly sought out before to hear stories about his father.

— AuthorThe author described the poignant moment of receiving an award named after the journalist they were researching, presented by the journalist's own son.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Thanh Niên in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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