Unforgettable memories with General Vo Nguyen Giap

Journalist and photographer Vu Huyen (far right) found foreign books and newspapers for General Vo Nguyen Giap to read during his time in the Soviet Union (photo provided by the character).

The general is close and simple

On the 12th anniversary of the death of General Vo Nguyen Giap (October 4, 2013 - October 4, 2025), journalist and photographer Vu Huyen (Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Term 6, Editor-in-Chief of Photography Magazine, Chairman of the Art Council of Terms 3, 4, 5 and 6) recalled the time he spent close to the General.

From 1972 to 1976, journalist Vu Huyen (at that time a staff member of Vietnam Pictorial) was sent to study at Lomonosov State University (Soviet Union). In 1975, he was assigned by the Vietnamese Embassy a special mission: to get close to and talk with General Vo Nguyen Giap about photography. At that time, the General was also in the Soviet Union.

“The General lived in a villa near Lomonosov State University, very few people came in and out. On weekends, only the General’s two children, Vo Dien Bien and Vo Hanh Phuc (who were also studying in the Soviet Union at that time) visited their father,” said photographer Vu Huyen. In the memory of journalist and photographer Vu Huyen, the General returned to normal life, was very close, gentle and simple with his children. The house where the General lived occasionally welcomed his children’s friends to play like other ordinary families.

To his subordinates and close people, the General often paid attention and was considerate even to the smallest details. “Once, I was wearing a liberation army shirt that was a bit too big and had to change to another shirt, but the button broke. The General looked at me, smiled and asked: Why didn’t Huyen ask someone to sew it for me?”, journalist Vu Huyen shared.

Every time the General visited the Soviet Union, he would ask the Embassy staff: “Where is Huyen?”, which made young journalist Vu Huyen very emotional. “To be close to a talented general, to meet a person who loves photography, to be able to tell the General about photography, that was the honor of a young journalist like me at that time!”, journalist Vu Huyen said. For journalist and photographer Vu Huyen, the time spent close to the General was extremely precious, not easily obtained.

Lessons in journalism

Every morning, journalist Vu Huyen's job at that time was to find foreign books and newspapers about the situation in Vietnam for the General to read. "I am a journalist but I get to be close to and talk to him, not take pictures of him. Perhaps because General Vo Nguyen Giap is a photography enthusiast, and I am working at Vietnam Pictorial - a foreign newspaper, the Embassy arranged it so that I could tell the General many stories about photography," said journalist Vu Huyen.

Of course, journalist and photographer Vu Huyen once took photos of General Vo Nguyen Giap, but not for publication in newspapers, but only as a souvenir.

Journalist Vu Huyen (left) on a walk with General Vo Nguyen Giap (photo provided by the character).

During the days walking in the snow, young journalist Vu Huyen and the General talked about many things. One time, the General talked about Vietnam Pictorial, which had started printing in color and had to be colored with a pen. The General did not criticize because at that time conditions were still difficult, and in Vietnam there were no color photos. However, the General advised: journalism must respect the truth, not be flashy or make-up.

The General also noted: foreign propaganda is very different from domestic propaganda. Domestic propaganda is to speak to our people, those who sympathize with us, and tends to mobilize and organize the masses. As for foreign propaganda, it is not possible to organize people but must use propaganda to make them understand, feel, like themselves, and come to us. We must be very skillful because in foreign affairs there are also enemies.

Journalist and photographer Vu Huyen always remembers the teachings of General Vo Nguyen Giap during his career as a journalist (photo provided by the character).

For journalist and photographer Vu Huyen, the General is not only a cultural figure and an outstanding military commander, but also a great journalist. The General always emphasized that journalism and photography must have a positive impact on life: in war, people stand up to defend the Fatherland; in peace, how can the world understand Vietnam correctly?

Another time, the General told about his work for the Voice of the People newspaper, and then several other newspapers. In 1941, when Uncle Ho returned to the country and published the Independent Vietnam newspaper, the General was assigned by Uncle Ho to write an article. The first time, the General wrote 3 pages of paper, but after reading it, Uncle Ho told him to shorten it, and after finishing it, he should give it to the people around him to read first to see if it was easy to understand... And from then on, the General always remembered and learned from Uncle Ho's journalism style. The General advised: Writing for newspapers is for many people to read and understand the content. If the readers do not understand what you write, it is useless. Writing concisely, vividly and close to life is important, revolutionary journalists should always remember...

Throughout his life holding a camera, now over 80 years old, those views have always been remembered and applied by journalist and photographer Vu Huyen throughout his work. Until now, wherever he goes, whoever he shares his work with, journalist Vu Huyen still emphasizes that journalistic mindset.

THU HUONG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ky-niem-kho-quen-vo-dai-tuong-vo-nguyen-giap-522590.html