Assoc. Prof. Dr. Writer Van Gia & The Mosaics of the King II

The cover book The Mosaics of the King II (2024). Photo: WAJ

Throughout her more than two decades in journalism, Dr. Bich Yen has worked both directly and indirectly in a wide range of settings from Vietnam to over 40 countries and territories, international organizations in Asia, Australia, America, and Europe; in the fields of cultural-artistics, diplomacy, political-economics, journalism-communication research, education, science and technology... As a result, she has met and interacted with numerous prominent and influential figures from various countries and international organizations, including many heads of state and monarchs.

Nonetheless, the aforementioned is not unique to Bich Yen alone. What distinguishes a journalist like Bich Yen from others in journalism? From my point of view, there are several key factors.

First, Bich Yen has chosen an almost consistent path: focusing only on writing about the “virtues of royalty” found in individuals holding royal positions or possessing royal traits. What are the “virtues of royalty”? These are individuals with a desire to serve and contribute to the nation, people, and humanity to the best of their abilities. Those in political positions will contribute to the role of governance and administration of the nation. Those in scientific positions will dedicate holeheartedly to science, ensuring valuable innovations that promote the civilization of the nation and humanity. Artists contribute to the nation and the world with significant artistic works, of great human value, etc... Since the title “The Mosaics of the King” (volume I) was published in 2019, Dr. Bich Yen has chosen her distinct path. In the subsequent volume of “The Mosaics of the King” (volume II) introduced to readers this time, the consistent spirit remains, with portraits embodying royal virtues appearing in diverse and unexpected ways. Notably, to date, she is also the first young Vietnamese journalist abroad to work in an official manner with a majority of heads of state in Europe, the United Nations - Vienna.

Second, when writing about characters, Dr. Bich Yen does not stop at recording names on “Golden stone steles”, instead, the most important thing is to depict the spiritual portraits of them with aspirations, national service ideologies, and strategies for the country’s advancement that they and their colleagues are pursuing. Each person has a position and practices a profession, but they voluntarily place themselves in the common cause of the nation and the people. The spirit of national pride and dignity makes them constantly aspire to and affirm their positions. Especially, the Vietnamese diaspora has endeavored to “define the values and virtues of the Vietnamese in respect and honor of the values and virtues of other nations and peoples to which they belong” - an idea that Bich Yen contemplates and contributes to creating.

Third, not confined within the scope of the nation and the people, in every page she writes, Bich Yen has always been conscious of, pursued, and built values of peace for all humanity. Characters, from monarchs, kings, prime ministers, presidents, diplomats to business people, scientists, artists, influential figures..., all are placed in the context of peace values. This is indeed a consistent consciousness of the journalist, Dr. Bich Yen. Journalism must be placed on the high ground of human conscience to achieve such approaches and implementations. Indeed, from the “emperors, and generals” to the courtiers, from the heads of state to the people, if not living for the peace of all
humanity, there will be nothing left in the end. Living and serving for peace is opposed to death, violence, war, poverty, illiteracy, and hatred. Living and serving for peace is the noble value of all humanity.

Finally, regardless of the genre form (portraits, notes, interviews, comments, editorials...), there is a sharp portrayal presented throughout the works in this volume: Journalist, and author, Dr. Bich Yen. She is a practitioner in the style of “real combat”, on the scene, direct, not accepting intermediaries, considering direct information as the top priority, not forgetting to refer to background information, and broad knowledge in each field that the journalistic work addresses. The writings show that she is genuinely a meticulous person with professional research consciousness, never rushing or compromising in work; demonstrating discipline, professional ethics, upholding human values, and love for journalism, and scientific research.

Book launch at The Hanoi Opera House, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Writer Van Gia (lelf hand) with characters in The Mosaics of the King II (27 May 2024). Photo: WAJ

Besides being a journalist and media researcher, Bich Yen is also a writer of short stories and novels, participating in teaching journalism and communication at university and postgraduate levels. She has published numerous literary works, thousands of articles, dozens of essays, some textbooks, and individual and collaborative scientific research projects, both domestically and internationally. Particularly, for over a decade, she has played a role in connecting various scientific research and educational activities among universities, organizations, intellectuals, and scientists in Viet Nam and internationally, as well as among the Vietnamese community abroad in the fields of culture and media... One of the significant outcomes that she initiated, promoted, and established is the ``Vietnam Ancestral Global Day`` - a cultural and scientific activity that has now spread across many Vietnamese communities on various continents. This project has been evaluated and recognized by the public and media as: “The largest cultural project for Vietnamese people worldwide”. She undertakes this task as a mission, as a sacred transmission from the predecessors... This achievement is truly a great and touching contribution of Dr. Bich Yen to the Vietnamese people and the homeland. She is also indeed a piece in “The Mosaics of the King” bringing royal virtues to contribute to culture and nation, nurturing more sharing and understanding among royal figures, heads of state, politicians, and influential individuals... not only within more than 40 countries, territories, international organizations but also on a global scale, with the aspiration to build and preserve common peace for all humanity.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Writer Van Gia in the University of Vienna, Austria. Photo: WAJ

I feel sincerely honored to write the foreword for this book. “The Mosaics of the King” (volume II) by Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Yen is, without a doubt, a written gift to friends, and the public both domestically and internationally!

Early summer, April 2024