Ha Tinh road named after first VNA leader

Ha Tinh (VNA) – A ceremony to unveil a plaque for a road named after Tran Kim Xuyen, Vietnam’s first journalist-martyr and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s first leader, was held in Pho Chau town, Huong Son district, the central province of Ha Tinh on June 17.

Born in 1921 in Son My commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province, Tran Kim Xuyen was appointed as Deputy Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Vietnam Information Department after the 1945 August Revolution. He was directly in charge of the Viet Nam Thong Tan Xa, now known as Thong Tan Xa Viet Nam (Vietnam News Agency). He was also a deputy of the first National Assembly.

He laid down his life on March 3, 1947, at the age of 26, becoming the first revolutionary journalist to die in a battle.

The Tran Kim Xuyen road, measuring more than 2km in length and 20m in width, runs from the Pho Chau intersection to Ho Chi Minh road in Pho Chau town.

In his remarks, VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi underlined the significance of the event, which, he said, reflects the national tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source” as well as the tribute of the Party, State, Ha Tinh authorities and people, as well as the VNA staff to Tran Kim Xuyen.

This is also an acknowledgement of the VNA, the first press agency nationwide awarded the titles of “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” and “Labour Hero in the Reform Period,” he said.

During the wars against French and US forces, generations of VNA journalists and technicians were present in all battlefields, Loi said, noting that more than 260 of them sacrificed their lives for the nation.

With a 2,500-strong contingent working in all the 63 cities and provinces across the country and 30 countries worldwide, the VNA is gearing towards a strong multimedia complex, according to the General Director.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Ha Tinh provincial People’s Council Vo Hong Hai called on all-level Party committees, authorities and organisations of Huong Son district to intensify communications work in order to popularise the life and career of Tran Kim Xuyen and the significance of the street naming.

This is the second road named after Tran Kim Xuyen. The first one is in Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, which was inaugurated on March 5, 2014 on the occasion of his 67th death anniversary.

There are two other streets named after VNA journalists, including Bui Dinh Tuy street in Ward 12, Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Hong Phong street in Phan Thiet city, the central province of Binh Thuan.

Earlier, the VNA leaders and other delegates burned incense and laid wreaths at the memorial house dedicated to Tran Kim Xuyen and the monument to martyrs in Son My commune.

On this occasion, the VNA presented 30 million VND (1,320 USD) to the Son My commune People’s Committee to upgrade the monument.-VNA