The place where the first issue of the newspaper was born during the years of resistance
In the pouring rain in the last days of July, we found the place that once marked the mark of the Lao Dong Newspaper during the revolutionary period of 1947 - 1953 in the land of Dai Tu, Thai Nguyen, a place that was originally considered a the heart of Viet Bac, the capital of thousands of winds.
Crossing the winding passes, about 15km from the center of Dai Tu district is Phu Xuyen commune, formerly known as Cao Van commune. Hidden deep in the forests, with rugged terrain, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges such as Tam Dao, Dieng Mountain, and Hong Mountain, this place was once the shield of the Safety Zone .
Many important central and government agencies were located here at that time, such as: the agency of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Lao Dong printing house, the Executive Board of the Lao Dong Newspaper, the Central Postal School, and the Central Post Office. Youth Union...
With the guidance of local people, we went to the house of Mr. Le Nguyen To - former Secretary of the Party Committee of Phu Xuyen Commune, Mr. To was Secretary of the Commune from 1995 to 2000. while still in office, with love. Regarding the war zone land, he took pains to collect stories about historical relics - in which the images of the Lao Dong printing house and the Lao Dong Newspaper Board of Directors were still intact.
Flipping through the documents meticulously wrapped in layers of plastic bags like precious things, Mr. Le Nguyen To sadly said: "Most of the people who witnessed that period are no longer alive, now we have to preserve them for future generations." Children and grandchildren can see the golden and glorious era of their ancestors who fought and sacrificed for the country to become what it is today."
According to Mr. To, before moving to small camps scattered along the hillsides in Cao Van commune (now Phu Xuyen), Lao Dong Newspaper's editorial office used to be based in Trai Van Kim in Hao Phu commune, Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province, same location as the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.
"At that time, the entire operating area of the agencies was arranged in strictly guarded corridors. Only people from inside could go out, if outsiders approached they would be immediately arrested. Activities at that time "It was a top secret to ensure the safety of the revolution. Officials repeatedly came out to support people when they were sick, people transported food to supply inside, and the love between the army and the people was very strong" - Mr. To recalled.
In the document recorded by Mr. To, there is a paragraph: "The Executive Board (now the Editorial Board) of Lao Dong Newspaper was initially located in Cay Sau area, Dieng hamlet. To get to the printing house, you have to walk through the forest for about 30 minutes. - 1 hour.
According to Mr. Luong Quang Thom, in 1947, the Lao Dong printing house returned to the commune with Mr. Tiep as Director. After a period of time completing the construction of the camps, the above agencies moved to the area of Go Dau, Dam Lung, Dat Luong, Vai Banh - the foot of Tam Dao mountain. This is also the place where the first issue of the newspaper was born during the years of resistance."
Mr. Le Nguyen To still remembers vividly, the person who kept the first issues of the Lao Dong newspaper printed in the war zone was Mr. Luong Van Dong (Yen Lang commune). Now that Mr. Dong has passed away, an agency, when doing history, has asked for help. This newspaper is here for display. At that time, General Secretary Truong Chinh still frequented the area to work on Lao Dong Newspaper.
Overcoming difficulties, the month comes out twice
"In 1947, my family moved to a nearby ravine. Later, an entire hut near the house was filled with newspapers moving from the printing house. After printing, the newspapers were sent to people's homes before the Central Traffic Commission. pick it up and take it everywhere.
The period of operation at that time was very arduous and incomplete. Listening to the elders, one of the most difficult things during this period was the forest rain and floods. The kitchens of the General Confederation of Labor and the Lao Dong Newspaper printing house were also washed away, and many food supplies that people provided were also swept away by the water flow" - Mr. To recalled.
Also according to Mr. To, during such a difficult resistance period, it was extremely meaningful that Lao Dong Newspaper was still active, printing newspapers to travel across the country. The newspaper contributed its voice and created strength for the people at that time.
According to Mr. To, back then it was very difficult, food was scarce, not to mention transportation and means to do journalism, but the newspaper's staff and reporters still stuck to the forests and mountains to write. Because of the war, there were almost only reporters working. In some newspapers, each person wrote up to 2 or 3 articles, and they were all factual articles, carrying the breath of life, recording real-time events. Now.
"I've heard reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper recount that each business trip can take up to ten days, having to carry rice and cross dozens of kilometers through the forest on just feet. It's so difficult, but being a reporter can do everything. People appreciate and facilitate the trips, the trips are supported and helped by the people," Mr. To recounted.
During that period, newspapers printed typography on absorbent paper, with 16 pages of 30 x 35cm format. The words of the newspaper name, article titles, sections, and sketches are printed according to wood engravings. On the title plate (cufflink) under the name of Lao Dong Newspaper, is bold text: Resistance propaganda agency of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. The month comes out twice.
Sharing with reporters about the places that once bore the glorious mark of revolutionary journalism of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Hong - Chairman of Phu Xuyen Commune People's Committee could not hide his pride and honor when this land was In the past, it was selected and evacuated by many central agencies for anti-French activities.
"In addition to the General Confederation of Labor, the Central Women's Union, and the Central Youth Union, history also recorded the location of the Labor Printing House.
In parallel with the process of socio-economic development, the locality also has plans to preserve, preserve and collect documents of historical value. These are valuable documents about a glorious time in the resistance war to protect the Fatherland," Mr. Hong said.
