Vietnamese Miners and Railway Workers: Writers Witness Harsh Realities and Laborer Lives

In the Halham Coal Mine in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, writers descended into the pit hundreds of meters deep. The elevator, filled with the mixed scents of iron walls, oil, and chains, carried over twenty workers into the dim underground. Inside the mine, walls coated with coal dust, wet ground, and large electrical equipment were visible, with workers' uniforms stained black by coal. They strictly adhere to the principle of safety first, enduring harsh labor daily. Writers listened to the stories of these workers and incorporated their experiences into poems and prose. Furthermore, writers participated in an inspection of the railway connecting Hanoi, Hue, and Da Nang. Inside the train, access for non-essential personnel was strictly limited to ensure safety, and writers were only allowed into the driver's cabin for a limited time after obtaining prior permission. There, they discussed the tension of the drivers, their psychological state during night operations, and the magnificent natural scenery visible from the windows. One of the writers, Xuan Thuy, continued his inspections even after traveling from Hue to Da Dan, spending time with staff at the Hai Van Bac station, located in a remote mountainous area. He deeply empathized with the lonely work and lives of the staff, observing their sweat-soaked uniforms under the scorching sun and their simple meals. He also planned a further reporting trip to the western mountainous region with Tran Ngoc Tien, a mechanic, writer, and talented photographer, which further fueled his writer's curiosity. Through these experiences, writers are reaffirming the importance of visiting sites, listening to people's voices, and creating works based on their firsthand experiences, even in today's information-saturated era. This is an essential process not only for gathering information but also for understanding the hidden hardships and quiet efforts of people and conveying them to readers. Source: Nhan Dan