Dear Our Supporting Readers,
As another year begins at The Vietnamese Magazine, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support, particularly in these challenging times marked by the pursuit of truth under an authoritarian regime.
Your engagement and encouragement have fortified our resolve to continue our essential work in journalism, a task made more poignant by the unjust imprisonment of our colleagues who exercise their free speech, including our co-founder, Pham Doan Trang, who serves a nine-year sentence. During this week, we also learned that independent journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan faced challenging health conditions behind bars, prompting an advocacy for his release under humanitarian grounds.
Their plight, and that of other brave journalists facing oppression, is a stark reminder of the risks involved in unearthing and reporting the truth in Vietnam. Each article we publish is a testament to their courage and defiance against the suppression of free speech. We write to inform and honor their sacrifices and uphold the principles they stand for.
This year, we’ve delved deeper into human rights and political dynamics in Vietnam, driven by the belief that a well-informed public is the bedrock of a just society. Your response to our in-depth reporting on these critical issues has been a source of strength for us. It reassures us that you, our readers, share and cherish the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
We are immensely grateful to those who have shared their stories, insights, and expertise, contributing to a richer, more comprehensive understanding of our challenges. Your voices are vital in our quest for a more open and equitable Vietnam.
Looking forward, we recommit ourselves to this crucial mission. With your continued support, The Vietnamese Magazine will persist in being a beacon of truth, advocating tirelessly for human rights, and standing in solidarity with those who are silenced. We step into the new year 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose, inspired by the resilience of our colleagues and the unwavering support of readers like you.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, we strive for a future where freedom of expression is not a peril but a promise upheld.
With deepest gratitude and solidarity,
Quynh-Vi Tran
Editor-in-Chief, The Vietnamese Magazine
