 Collector Huynh Minh Hiep (Ty Huynh/VOV) |
Huynh Minh Hiep, who is now over 50, is a well-known collector of ancient coins, movie posters, and artifacts from pre-1975 Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh city. He is called “the keeper of memories” because his collection preserves the past and helps those who come to see it relive their memories. Hiep said he was struck with an idea of gathering publications 15 years ago.
"I first had the idea of collecting old newspapers when I was working at the UNESCO Club on Research and Preservation for the Value of National Antiquity. I met many collectors and researchers and they supported my idea."
Hiep’s collection is considered extremely valuable due to the great volume of newspaper titles he kept and their historical depth. Some are hundreds of years old, but still in very good conditions. Among them are long-running titles like Gia Dinh News, Luc Tinh Tan Van (News of Six Provinces), Van Minh (Civilization), Tieng Dan (People’s Voice), and more.
Thuy Lien, a student of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, got to see the collection and shared her experience: "I was able to see Mr. Huynh Minh Hiep’s newspaper collection together with a team of Voice of Vietnam reporters. I was blown away by the production technology and the content of these hundred-year-old newspapers. I hope more students like me will get to see this collection and learn more about journalism."
The collector hasn’t just looked for and hoarded these newspapers, but also told the stories behind each paper issue. He said: "I ‘ve learned many interesting things from this collection. You can tell when these papers were published, how long they were circulated for, and what life was like hundreds of years ago."
 Collector Huynh Minh Hiep shares his stories with a group of communication-journalism students. (Photo: Minh Hanh/VOV) |
One of Hiep’s most prized possessions, the September 2, 1890 issue of Gia Dinh News, often left visitors in awe of the advanced printing press and typesetting technology already available 135 years ago. The paper is small without pictures. But it had a clear, well-designed layout and high print resolution.
Those who came across newspapers issued in Saigon between 1970-1975 were astonished by their publishing speed and technology, as well as how responsive and personal interactions with readers felt.
 Journalist Luu Dinh Trieu and collector Huynh Minh Hiep (Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV) |
Hiep said some of these newspapers even helped him connect with the very people who had made them. "A 1938 issue of Luc Tinh Tan Van News had an ad for Saigon’s first modern pharmacy — L. Solirène, which operated from 1865 to 1950. In an issue of Buoi Sang (Morning) News, there was a note that said: ‘When buying this paper, make sure you ask for a copy of the bonus Sun Wukong comic.’ When I put that issue up on display in my cafe, a man named Mai Sơn read it and said he was the artist behind that comic series. He even gave me the original copy of the Sun Wukong comic."
73-year-old journalist Luu Dinh Trieu, a visitor, said: "I was a fan of the Saigon Newspaper before 1975. There were so many newspaper stands back then. The papers usually arrived in the afternoon. So I would usually help the owners of those stands stack the papers up neatly and as payment, I could read what I want."
These old newspapers offer insights into events, how journalists engaged with readers, and even how products were advertised in different periods of time. Hiep said he hopes his collection can reach a wider audience and inform them more about the history of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.