10 noteworthy Vietnamese literary titles in 2024

Here are 10 notable works of Vietnamese literature (listed in alphabetical order).

Sacred Child of the Forest - Trung Trung Dinh

The book was published by Tre Publishing House.

Known for his works about military life and the Central Highlands, " The Sacred Child of the Forest" can be considered his first work for children. With a modest length, the book revolves around the life of artist Y Man – dubbed the "leading figure" of Central Highlands art – from his childhood, living under the oppression of a greedy village chief, to his years following the revolution and receiving professional training.

Not only does the work depict the oppression of the highland people under the rule of the French colonialists, but the author also incorporates elements of the Central Highlands in a unique way. Through this, we understand the importance of fire, forests, and the special beliefs of the people there, thereby creating a truly unique setting and atmosphere for the book.

We've arrived - Cat Thao Nguyen

The book was published by The World Publishing House.

A deeply moving memoir by a Vietnamese-American family, "We've Arrived" is filled with a range of emotions, from pain and separation to reunion and sorrow. Through the memories recounted by her parents—the older generation—along with numerous historical documents, Cat Thao Nguyen has written a truly remarkable book for anyone interested in this period.

But that's not all; this book also chronicles the years of trying to integrate into a new environment, a new life, for a Vietnamese person uprooted from their roots. It depicts the difficulties and persistent anxieties that created generational and ethnic gaps, and the struggle to overcome them.

When people are young, they think differently - Le Khai Viet

The book was published by Nha Nam and the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House.

From his very first work , "March Flight," Le Khai Viet left a unique mark with his novel and captivating writing style. Using the remnants of a brutal war as a framework, he has shaped and layered his work to create compelling, impressive, and haunting short stories, demonstrating both a connection to and learning from renowned writers both domestically and internationally.

When young people think differently, the scope expands beyond the earlier "March Flight ," gradually delving into the breakdown of interpersonal relationships in modern society, thus creating short stories that evoke strong empathy. Simultaneously, the theme of war remains ever-present, revealing an obsession of this writer.

Empty Eyes - Do Phan

The book was published by Tre Publishing House.

It has been quite a while since writer and painter Do Phan returned to the realm of novels with his book * Empty Eyes *. Revolving around a relatively familiar theme of his—painting—the book reflects the devaluation of art when market values ​​permeate it, causing countless negative consequences for artists, art itself, and human nature.

Continuing on this theme, the essayistic style that made him famous is also constantly present, revealing the changes in the thousand-year-old capital, where old values ​​are gradually fading away. This can be said to be a novel about change and degeneration in a relatively classical writing style.

Myanmar: A Story That's Not a Story – Au Min

The book was published by Tre Publishing House.

It has been over a decade since Tran Ngoc Sinh (pen name Au Min) returned to writing (since his work Phnom Penh ). Myanmar: A Story That Is Not a Story is a relatively "closed-off" work, not only in the context of Myanmar being isolated by Covid-19 and military turmoil, but also in the rotten hearts of the people in this work. This can be said to be a very noteworthy work of this year.

Au Min's writing style is as silent as stillness itself. Like its title, nothing in this work is perfected or crafted to a high degree of sophistication. Everything is decaying, and the author shows us that this is an inevitable reality of humanity.

Tet Book for the Year of the Snake 2025 – Compiled by Ho Anh Thai

The book was published by Dong A Publishing House and Dan Tri Publishing House.

Although it was published at the end of the year, it would be a great oversight not to mention this publication. This year's edition explores a wide range of topics, from articles focusing on new aspects of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) to pages filled with emotion and the gentle touches of poetry.

Among them, short stories by Nguyen Thi Thu He, Ma Van Khang, Pham Duy Nghia, Truong Anh Quoc, etc., are particularly noteworthy. Meanwhile, Ho Anh Thai and Van Thanh Le offer a bittersweet smile, evoking unique emotions.

Living – Hai Anh and Pauline Guitton, translated by Hong Minh

The book is published by Kim Dong Publishing House.

A publishing phenomenon in France after its release, "Living "—a graphic novel created by two young people—revolves around a young woman's time in the resistance zone in her twenties and is a must-read. Based on the life of the talented Vietnamese director Viet Linh (Hai Anh's mother), the book recounts her memories and the hardships she faced during her directing career.

Furthermore, Hai Anh also portrays the generation gap between herself and her mother – two women from two different eras and two different age groups, in which anyone can see themselves. The duration of the pain is not important; what matters more is recognizing it and making changes.

Before we say goodbye – Phan

The book was published by Nha Nam and Dan Tri Publishing House.

In terms of both commercial success and quality, Phan, with his two books released this year, is a formidable name. The short stories, narrated by the two main characters, serve as reminders of what has been lost, what remains, and the efforts to hold onto it.

In a fast-paced life where everything happens quickly and people easily lose connection, "Before We Say Goodbye" is a remarkable publication that shows us that even in the depths of suffering, there are still moments of brilliance when people see in each other a shining ray of hope.

On the mountaintop – Y Ban

The book was published by Tao Dan and Vietnam Women's Publishing House.

In Vietnamese literature, Y Ban has always been known as a female writer with a distinctive and witty personality. Comprising nearly 20 short stories, "On the Summit of Heaven" continues to showcase her exceptional talent across various themes, with her writing about the plight of women during wartime, in contemporary society, and in their fleeting love affairs remaining the most noteworthy.

She showed that she wasn't afraid of any subject matter, whether it was mountainous or lowland, rural or urban, tragic or comedic, realistic or fantastical... nothing could stop her. The folk elements in her works are also a significant and noteworthy highlight.

Slipping and falling from a high floor – Ho Anh Thai

The book was published by Vietnam Women's Publishing House.

It can be said that, regardless of the genre, writer Ho Anh Thai always finds a unique voice. In "Sliding on the High Floor ," although still satirical and mocking, the work's inner strength has been elevated many times over. Its ambiguity is a noteworthy highlight, through which he invites readers to join him in deciphering issues deeply rooted in contemporary events and modern life.

Furthermore, numerous artistic techniques are employed, from thought processes to pre-selected backdrops, stimulating creativity. This collection of short stories demonstrates the relentless pursuit of learning, innovation, and self-challenge by a writer who seemed to have no further challenges to face.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/10-tua-sach-van-hoc-viet-dang-chu-y-trong-nam-2024-185241230152843913.htm