"Stories from the Village of Mênh Mông"

Writer Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien is a young, emotionally rich author who often writes about her homeland, childhood, and simple yet profound family stories. She is familiar to readers through works such as the short story collection "Rain Over the Rang Hill," the essay collection "Sitting on the Veranda Watching the Sun," the children's novel "Going to Catch Sadness," and most recently, "Stories from the Mong Village" (Kim Dong Publishing House, 2026).

Despite its name, Mênh Mông is actually just a small, tranquil village with a river, fields, orchards laden with fruit, rows of peanuts, corn, and sweet potatoes, and honest, simple villagers. Here, the trio—Thương, Mẫn, and Nghi—spent afternoons lying together gazing at the foliage behind the house, and splashing around in the gentle Mênh Mông river in the evenings. And it was here that the trio experienced a peaceful, happy childhood, as well as the sadness of parting ways...

Thuong was born prematurely in the middle of the vast river, so she loved the river and water as much as she breathed. Every time she could dive underwater, or jump from a fig tree branch into the river, Thuong was overjoyed. She was always accompanied by Man. And every time they climbed trees or swam in the river and were caught by their parents, they would receive a painful beating. Even so, they both knew that behind the beatings was the care, love, and concern of their parents. Unlike her two best friends, Nghi had a more disadvantaged family life. She had no father, and her mother was busy earning a living and could only come home for dinner. But thanks to Thuong, Man, and Thuong's family, Nghi was able to overcome her loneliness.

The trio's lives become more colorful with the arrival of Sứt – a boy with physical disabilities, whose mother died and whose father disappeared in a fierce storm far offshore. He moved from another place, living a secluded and lonely life. Initially, Thương, Mẫn, and Nghi tried to "teach Sứt a lesson" because they thought he had taken the delicious fruit from Mr. Sáu Sầu Đời's garden. Later, understanding his circumstances, the trio came to help, comfort, and befriend Sứt. They became good friends. Therefore, when Sứt's father returned to take him away, the trio were sad but also happy for their friend.

"The Story of the Vast Village" also portrays the simple, honest people of the countryside. Thuong's parents and Man's parents – hardworking, simple, and full of love. Aunt Tam – a forgiving woman who, despite her many hardships, a large family, poverty, and a husband who often finds excuses to nag her, still secretly loves and protects her distant cousin, Sut. And there is also Mr. Sau Sau Doi, who day after day, month after month, is immersed in alcohol and sadness. But the appearance of the trio and Sut pulls Mr. Sau Sau Doi out of the darkness and pain, allowing him to live joyful days.

The highlight of "Stories from the Vast Village" is Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien's intimate and emotional storytelling style. Readers are immersed in the peaceful life of a tranquil village and the familiar mischief of the children. The author also doesn't shy away from exploring the sadness and hidden aspects of the characters. But ultimately, there is still faith and hope for a bright future: "I told Sut that when we're a little older, old enough to travel alone, we'll make trips back to meet each other. One of us will find the other, and the other will find the one, so we'll definitely meet again."

Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien is a member of the Vietnam Writers Association and currently works at the Ho Chi Minh City Literature and Arts Magazine. She has been writing for newspapers and creating literary works since a young age and has won several awards, including First Prize in the "Taste of Tet" writing contest (Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, 2023); Prize A in the short story and essay writing contest on the theme "The grassroots police officer for peaceful villages and serving the people" organized by the Ministry of Public Security in 2023; and Third Prize in the children's literature writing contest of the Vietnam Writers Association (2021-2023). Her work "Stories from the Mong Village" won Second Prize in the first Kim Dong Literature Award (2023-2025).

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/chuyen-o-lang-menh-mong-745919.html