I will never forget my first impression of journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong. In 1968, he graduated from university in Cuba and attended the 8th VNA reporter training course. The first time I met him under the thatched roof of the evacuation class at Tram Troi (then Hoai Duc, Ha Tay), I was impressed and admired his special features: the broad knowledge of a person who had received many years of basic training abroad; the elegant and talented demeanor of a Kinh Bac boy; the closeness and sincerity in communicating with everyone.
Journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong was born on October 25, 1945, in a family of civil servants in Chu town, Luc Ngan district, Bac Giang province (old), now Chu ward, Bac Ninh province. At that time, when the American war of destruction in the North was spreading, although he had just returned from abroad, journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong quickly adapted to the harsh life of wartime, sharing the difficulties with his fellow reporters in the 8th class, actively participating in study and training programs. Those were unforgettable years for each of us.
After graduating, journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong, with his outstanding qualities and abilities, quickly asserted himself through many assigned jobs. He was a reporter at the Northern News Editorial Board and the World News Editorial Board, before being sent to work as a VNA reporter in Cuba. Returning to Vietnam, he worked as Deputy Head of the Spanish Sub-Committee at the Foreign News Editorial Board and then returned to work as Head of the VNA Bureau in Havana. After returning from Cuba, he was appointed Deputy Head, then Head of the Editorial Secretariat and International Relations Department. For many years, he was a full-time reporter for the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee.
Journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong participated in the establishment and served as Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Law and Legal Forum Magazine, a very necessary publication in the period of national opening and integration. He also spent time in charge of the Afternoon News newspaper (now the News and Ethnic Newspaper), and together with the editorial staff, made many innovative discoveries in the content and methods of journalism. Journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong was the Chairman of the Vietnam News Agency Journalists Association for many years, in charge of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the agency and many other important tasks. Colleagues who worked with him, in any situation, anywhere, always recognized in him a spirit of innovation, the ability to quickly adapt to circumstances, and always knew how to unite people to complete tasks together.
1997 was an important milestone in the life of journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong when he was appointed by the Prime Minister as Deputy General Director of VNA. During his 10 years of participating in the industry's leadership (1997-2007), he made many contributions with the collective leadership of the innovation and development to help VNA rise to fulfill its mission as a national strategic information center, a mainstream, official, and reliable information stream on domestic and foreign affairs during the period of national innovation, openness, and deep integration. This was a period of opportunities along with challenges, a period of development of science and technology, the birth of the Internet associated with the explosion of information on cyberspace. At the same time, VNA must solve many problems regarding organizational model, management mechanism, innovation in information thinking and working methods, training and retraining staff, upgrading technical infrastructure, developing publications, and improving information quality to keep up with new requirements.
Journalist Le Quoc Trung, former General Director of VNA, a friend who has been close to journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong for more than 60 years, since the days when they were students majoring in language and literature at the University of Havana, and worked together, and participated in the VNA leadership for many years. Journalist Le Quoc Trung shared his grief about his close friend and colleague: “Journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong was a person who always devoted himself to his work, was dedicated, trustworthy, and humble. He made many contributions in his position as Deputy General Director, actively contributing with the VNA leadership to perform well its tasks, and solve many problems arising in the development process. In particular, journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong was a person who made many contributions to the external information work of the industry. After retiring under the regime, he still worked closely with and participated in the industry's professional activities until recent years!”
During his lifetime, journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong had a special affection for the country and people of Cuba, where he had been attached since his youth and throughout his later years. He participated in many activities of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, chaired, participated in editing and proofreading books about the feelings of Vietnamese students towards the Cuban people; helped to translate and print a collection of speeches by leader Fidel Castro about Vietnam for readers.
Upon hearing the news of the passing of journalist - former Deputy General Director of VNA Nguyen Duy Cuong, Comrade Rogelio Polanco Fuente, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, shared: “We are deeply saddened to hear that comrade Nguyen Duy Cuong, a close friend of Cuba, whom Cuban brothers called Jose, has passed away! Throughout his life, comrade Nguyen Duy Cuong always stood out for his spirit of solidarity and standing side by side with the Cuban revolution. As Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, he made outstanding contributions in organizing campaigns and movements to support Cuba as well as supporting generations of Cuban diplomats who have worked and are working in Vietnam.
With his modesty, simplicity and steadfast faith, he was awarded many medals, honorary titles and titles by the Cuban government during his long career and demonstrated solidarity with Cuba. But above all, he won the love and respect of the Cuban people and those who knew him. He held a special place in our hearts as a close brother of Cuba!
For his outstanding contributions, journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong was awarded the 40-year Party membership badge, the Second-class Labor Medal, the Second-class Resistance War Medal against the US for National Salvation, the Medal for Journalism Career, the Medal for News Agency Career and many other noble awards. In June 2025, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, the Cuban Journalists' Association, authorized by the Cuban Council of State, awarded journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong the Felix Elmusa Medal, the highest award of the Cuban Journalists' Association for Cuban and foreign journalists with outstanding achievements.
Journalist Nguyen Duy Cuong has ended his 81-year life as a visionary and dedicated press leader, an experienced journalist, a man of loyalty, tolerance, and humanity. May he rest in peace! The good memories of him will forever remain in the hearts of his relatives, friends, and colleagues!
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/nha-bao-nguyen-duy-cuong-mot-doi-tam-huyet-voi-nghe-voi-nguoi-20250930102747654.htm
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