With dreams and aspirations of teaching with chalk and blackboards, and writing on the pages of books, I devoted myself to the pedagogical field. However, life often presents unexpected turns, and for me, in May 2015, it was the moment when “the profession chooses the person.” My connection to journalism made me realize that this was the path I was meant to walk.

Ten years in journalism has been a relentless journey filled with many trips. I have stepped into remote mountainous villages, where the majestic landscapes of mountains, clouds, and the wind of the highlands leave a deep impression on the soul. There are special places, like the tri-junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China, where “a rooster crows, people in all three countries can hear.” I’ve witnessed the resilience of people as they “cling to the forest” and “defend the shared borderline,” preserving every inch of land and border posts; I have learned about the hardworking girls from the Hà Nhì ethnic minority group who love their husbands and children deeply...

These stories, these faces, have become etched in my heart. I clearly remember my visit to Nậm Cứm village (Ngối Cáy commune, Mường Ảng district) in 2015. The children in the highlands, with their golden hair, barefoot and wearing torn clothes, had faces dirty with dust but their smiles were innocent and pure. When I raised my camera, the children shyly covered their faces or ran away, unfamiliar and hesitant before the outside world. Those moments, where innocence met the raw nature of life, touched the heart of the one who held the pen.

Journalism is not just about discovering new places, but it is also about listening and sharing. I will never forget the story of people of Mường Ảng township, who faced difficulties with the compensation for land clearance for the 42-meter and 27-meter road projects. The meager compensation was not enough to build a new home, and the worry was evident on their faces. When these “voices” were brought to the media, it was fortunate that the local authorities of Mường Ảng acted swiftly to find fair solutions for people. At that moment, I felt honored and proud of my work, having contributed, even in a small way, to being a “bridge” that brought justice and peace to people.

Or when I worked at the epidemic hotspot of Si Pa Phìn (Nậm Pồ district) in 2021, witnessing 4-5-year-old children, elementary school students, having to be quarantined due to Covid-19. In the midst of the pandemic, the teachers set aside their own fears and worries to stay with the children in the quarantine area, embodying the image of “teachers like beloved mothers.”

I also remember my visit to the DK1 Platforms in 2019. Amidst the vast, stormy East Sea, the soldiers bravely clung to the sea, protecting the islands and securing peace for the homeland. Life at the edge of the sea was tough: lacking fresh water, and vegetables... I witnessed how they had to make every drop of water count, even using it to water the crops. The steel spirit and the silent sacrifices of these soldiers left me deeply moved.

These trips, these working assignments to the highlands, the borderlands, and the islands have helped me understand more about life and people. Every journey was not only an experience but also a struggle with words, creating works that bring the breath of life to the readers.

There were hardships, struggles, pressure, joys, and sorrows, but there were also moments of glory. That was when my work was honored in journalism competitions at the provincial level, or within ministries and sectors. However, the greatest reward for journalists is when we are thanked by readers, by people, for bringing their heartfelt voices and legitimate aspirations to the media, to the relevant authorities for consideration and resolution. I remember the words of a senior colleague in the profession: “Journalism is glorious, but also full of hardships.”

Yes, it is glorious because we contribute, share, and witness positive changes, but it also comes with many challenges and invisible pressures. But no matter what, I will continue this journey, with a heart full of love for the profession and a pen always pointed towards life and people!