Vietnam War Reporter Reunited with Long-Lost Diary As Symbol of Resilience and Friendship

Photo: Vietnam News

After nearly six decades, Nghiêm Sỹ Thái, an 83-year-old veteran war reporter, was reunited with a diary he believed lost during his years on the Bình Trị Thiên battlefield. This poignant reunion took place when the US Embassy returned the diary to Thái on April 18, marking a significant moment of cross-cultural connection and historical reconciliation.

Thái, a former journalist for the Liberation News Agency, now the Vietnam News Agency, learned about the diary's discovery through a former university colleague. The diary, filled with entries from his student days and wartime experiences, was recovered from US archives and is slated for a symbolic return before the upcoming April 30, 2025, anniversary.

During the Vietnam War, Thái meticulously documented his daily life and the harrowing realities of war. His writings captured everything from interactions with soldiers and civilians to grueling conditions on the battlefield. The diary's rediscovery was facilitated by the Lâm Đồng Provincial Military Command and formalized at a handover ceremony organized by the 7th Military Region's Steering Committee 515 and the US Defence Attaché in Hà Nội.

Thái, who resided in Đà Lạt city, expressed profound gratitude at the ceremony: "I truly never thought I would see my notebook again. Today, this precious item has returned to me, like ‘a lost pearl coming home'."

His diary, along with mementos of other veterans, represents not only personal histories but also the deep ties formed between Vietnam and the United States in post-war efforts to foster friendship and understanding. The diary is seen as a bridge between past and present, a testament to resilience and a cultural artifact symbolizing hope for a harmonious future between the two nations.

The diary and other returned items signify the compassion and shared history between Vietnam and the United States, and Thái expressed sincere thanks to the diplomatic entities involved in this mission of remembrance and friendship.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-04-24