Accompanying historical milestones of the nation
Right from its inception, Lao Dong Newspaper established a special mission, becoming the voice of the working class, of the workers and of the Vietnamese revolution. From secret print issues in the revolutionary struggle movement, to public newspaper pages after the August Revolution, and throughout the two resistance wars, the renovation and integration period, the newspaper always carried the breath of the times, truthfully reflecting the life of labor and production, encouraging patriotism and arousing the aspiration for national development.
Looking back at the history of nearly a century of Lao Dong Newspaper is also looking back at the major milestones of the Vietnamese revolution in nearly a century. After the August Revolution in 1945, Lao Dong Newspaper quickly went public at 51 Hang Bo, Hanoi. It was at house number 51 Hang Bo that many officials and reporters later became big names of revolutionary culture and journalism. Among them was musician Van Cao - the author of the National Anthem. The time working for Lao Dong Newspaper, being close to the workers, had an impact on his writing career, including the birth of the song "Vietnamese Workers". He once said that "both writing articles, writing stories, and taking care of printing. The printing house is on the first floor. On the attic, after finishing work, I immediately go down to work with the workers. And all day, even all night there... And it was in that atmosphere, the atmosphere of closeness with the printing workers that I composed the song "Vietnamese Workers" [1].
Just less than two months after the winning of power, on October 18, 1945, the first public issue of Lao Dong Newspaper was published to serve the Conference of Delegates of National Salvation Workers of North Vietnam at the Hanoi Opera House. From here, Lao Dong Newspaper entered a new chapter with the independent country. The newspaper pages of that period not only reflected the boiling revolutionary atmosphere but also directly propagated and guided workers and people to participate in building a young revolutionary government.
Page 1 and page 2 of Lao Dong Newspaper No. 13, dated October 18, 1945, published an article reporting on the event "Hoang Dieu City Workers' Delegation meets President Ho Chi Minh" on October 9, 1945 at the Government House. The newspaper published specific instructions from President Ho Chi Minh on the tasks of workers before the General Elections (1946). The article quoted Uncle Ho's advice: "Workers as well as other classes, must choose a worthy delegate; must carefully consider what benefits this person will bring to the people and what disadvantages this person will bring to the people...". President Ho Chi Minh's advice to workers conveyed in the newspaper has become a simple but profound "handbook" for the first voters of the new Vietnam. In the History of Lao Dong Newspaper, it is also recorded: "Looking back at the first pages of Lao Dong Newspaper published publicly after the August Revolution, we will see very vividly the life of our country's working class, the attitude towards current issues, the campaigns to protect the young revolutionary government... The newspaper promoted the National Assembly election on January 6, 1946, campaigning to elect the first workers' delegates of our country to the highest office of the country".
During the years of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, Lao Dong Newspaper continued to be a voice encouraging the patriotic emulation movement, encouraging workers, laborers, and people from all walks of life to emulate labor production, serving the front lines. During the years of resistance, Lao Dong Newspaper was also honored to receive special attention from President Ho Chi Minh. The letter He sent to Lao Dong Newspaper in Canh Dan Spring 1950 reads: "Vietnamese workers need to volunteer in all work of resistance and national construction. Defeating colonialism, liberating the nation, fighting for reunification and independence, building a new democratic Vietnam - that is, fighting for world peace and democracy" [2]. President Ho Chi Minh's letter to Lao Dong Newspaper is not only a great source of encouragement for journalists but also becomes a profound reminder of the responsibility of revolutionary journalism to the people and the revolutionary cause.
After the country's reunification, the newspaper accompanied the cause of economic recovery, building socialism, and then entered the period of renovation, industrialization, modernization and international integration.
Maintaining the mission of a revolutionary newspaper
What makes the unique identity of Lao Dong Newspaper for nearly a century is the close bond with workers. From the early days as the mouthpiece of the Red General Confederation, to now as the agency of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Lao Dong Newspaper has always maintained its position as a reliable forum for workers and laborers to send their thoughts and aspirations; and at the same time is a bridge between workers and the Party, State and Trade Union organization. Lao Dong Newspaper not only does a good job of propagating major policies but also vividly reflects the breath of the worker movement from the grassroots level, creating a truly democratic forum for workers.
As assessed by Mr. Pham The Duyet - former Standing Committee Member, Standing Committee of the Politburo, former Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, former Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the newspaper has always been pioneering and leading in reflecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers. The newspaper also reflects and criticizes policies, contributing to removing difficulties for managers, businesses, and entrepreneurs in all economic sectors... with objective and multi-dimensional information.
Looking back nearly a century, the most precious thing lies not only in the age of the newspaper, but in the persistence of a core value. Technology can change, journalism methods can innovate, but the red thread throughout the history of Lao Dong Newspaper is still always standing on the side of workers, accompanying major issues of the country and contributing to consolidating people's trust in the Party, State and Trade Union organization.
Through each historical period, from monochrome typo printed newspapers to colorful publications, then electronic newspapers, videos, podcasts and multimedia platforms today, the form of journalism has changed, but the mission of Lao Dong Newspaper is still consistent: Serving the Fatherland, serving the people, accompanying workers. Today, journalism technology has changed a lot, but the most important thing has not changed. That is the political bravery, fighting spirit, professional ethics and social responsibility of revolutionary journalists.
From Thong Phong alley in the autumn of 1929 to the editorial office converging today, it has marked the 97-year proud journey history. And it is also from that historical journey that Lao Dong Newspaper is continuing to write new pages - pages of innovation, creativity, responsibility and aspiration to rise up with the Vietnamese nation in the new era of development.
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Reference [1] 95-year history of Lao Dong Newspaper, Lao Dong Publishing House, Hanoi, 2024, pp. 53, 54.
[2] Ho Chi Minh Complete Works, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, p. 319
