Up the forest, down the sea, through four weather seasons in one day
In June 2025, I received a decision to transfer from Hanoi headquarters to work for 6 months at the Lao Dong Newspaper Representative Office in the Central Highlands. Bringing a little excitement and a lot of hope, I was quickly warmly welcomed by my colleagues and support to keep up with the work in the new area.
After the two-level government officially came into operation, the Central Highlands Representative Office is in charge of 3 provinces: Dak Lak, Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa. Of which, Lam Dong and Dak Lak have a large area, belonging to the group of provinces with the largest natural area in the country. Khanh Hoa is also the province with the longest coastline in the country.
Therefore, in the assigned area, each trip to the base sometimes takes a whole day. At the end of July 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in a working trip with colleagues across 3 provinces of Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa to record the reality.
At exactly 3am, a wheelchair from the center of Buon Ma Thuot ward (Dak Lak) to Lam Vien - Da Lat ward (Lam Dong) overtook more than 200km of the winding mountain pass on National Highway 27.
Starting when it was still dark, sitting in the car, I listened to all kinds of stories - from memories of journalism, family stories, to my love for the Central Highlands. The loud laughter dispelled the drowsiness, and the distance was shortened.
After 6 o'clock, at exactly 8 a.m. on July 24, we arrived at Nguyen Du Hall, ready to work at the 1st Lam Vien - Da Lat Ward Party Congress. The solemn event lasted until noon, the group of reporters quickly completed the report, took the opportunity to eat and drink, then continued their journey to Phan Thiet to work at the "Fatherland Security Protection Day" organized by the Ward People's Committee in coordination with the Provincial Police.
After completing the mission, our group of reporters continued to get on the bus from Phan Thiet to Nha Trang and then returned to Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak). When the car was bonsai on the highway at noon, we still took the opportunity to play cards, not missing any important developments in the area.
Throughout the journey of more than 700km, the scenery before my eyes has constantly changed from majestic mountains, green grasslands to vast seas; from bustling cities to peaceful villages. At this time, I could fully grasp the words of Mr. Phan Tuan - Deputy Head of the Representative Office of Lao Dong Newspaper in the Central Highlands: "Work in the Central Highlands is different from everywhere else in the country. Because this is the only place where I can experience the weather all year round in one day. Sometimes I only go to one locality in the province but it takes 3 days, one day to go, one day to work and one day to return.
That is why I feel that journalism in the Central Highlands has never been easy. Therefore, reporters residing here always have to make many times more efforts to complete their tasks.
"People in the Central Highlands mountainous region really value their feelings. Therefore, reporters working here cannot sit in one place but must go directly to the place, see with their eyes, hear with their ears, even touch each coffee grain, pepper, durian... to fully feel the characteristics of the land and people of the Central Highlands. There are very long trips, it takes 3 days to return home and only return with one article. But it is the meeting, exchange, and affirmation of feelings that are the greatest values that journalists in the Central Highlands receive" - Mr. Phan Tuan shared.
It is the basic trips and the heartfelt confidences of my colleagues here that make my basic trips more memorable. Because trips are not only work, but also an experience, a love for the land and people of the Central Highlands.
Go to build relationships and have your own topics
The 2-day, 1-night trip across the province is just one of many journeys I have had the opportunity to accompany my colleagues in the Central Highlands to work.
In the first two short months of working here, I have set foot in many localities - from bustling urban areas to ethnic villages imbued with cultural identity. From areas with potential for tourism development to poor communes in remote areas, near the border. Each destination leaves me with its own impressions, contributing to a vivid, close picture of the remote and profound Central Highlands.
Not only limited to the field of culture - tourism, I also have the opportunity to work in many other fields such as politics, society, topics and life reports. With my colleagues, I went to the border commune of Buon Don (Dak Lak), where people were excited on the first day of the operation of the two-level local government. We waded down to the Buon Tua Srah hydroelectric reservoir ( Krong No, Dak Lak), sitting on a boat in the middle of the water to listen to the story of the people floating on the great waves.
At noon, we arrived at the Central Highlands General Hospital, where dozens of patients patiently waited for their turn to get dialysis to save their lives...
such trips help me better understand life, people and the problems present in this land. At the same time, I also recognize the important and responsible role of journalists. Having worked with experienced staff and received enthusiastic guidance from office leaders, every day is an opportunity for me to learn a trade, practice a trade and mature with the trade.
My journey - a young reporter working in the Central Highlands for the first time - continues. I believe that there will be new experiences, simple joys and memorable memories ahead, becoming a valuable luggage for me throughout my journey to writing in the future.
