Market diversification
Recently, Nha Nam Culture and Media Company (Nha Nam) launched the book "Machine Learning System Design" by author Huyen Chip, the young woman who caused a sensation in the community more than 10 years ago with her trending book "Pack Your Bags and Go." This is probably a surprise for those who follow Huyen Chip, because the book is written entirely in English on a currently relevant topic: artificial intelligence (AI).
Before its publication in Vietnam (translated by Do Huu Thieu and Nguyen Sy Khanh), "Designing Machine Learning Systems" had been published in more than 10 languages, with the Vietnamese edition being reprinted just 10 days after its release. Huyen Chip's case offers a useful suggestion for domestic publishers in response to a new demand from readers today.
Shortly before that, alongside the release of the Vietnamese version, Kim Dong Publishing House also simultaneously released the English version of the novel "Things You Use to Fill a Hole" by author Dy Duyen.
According to Ms. Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House, translating works by Vietnamese authors has always been a long-standing effort of the publishing house. “Previously, we started with picture books (Vietnamese folk tales and fairy tales), translating them into English and French, and these were purchased by overseas publishers. Gradually, we began translating larger works, or encouraging domestic authors to write in both English and Vietnamese, such as the books 'That's Tet!', 'My Dad is a Runner', or 'Put Your Phone Down' by Bui Phuong Tam; 'Mother's Heart' by Hoai Anh, and the 'Making Friends with Nature' series by Thao Nguyen,” Ms. Quynh Lien stated.
According to Ms. Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Kim Dong Publishing House will soon translate some of the works that won the Kim Dong Literary Award to continue introducing them to foreign readers, as well as Vietnamese readers living abroad.
Expanding the readership's needs
Tre Publishing House is also one of the pioneering units in translating Vietnamese publications into English. Last May, along with publishing Nguyen Nhat Anh - The Keeper of the Flame for Children's Literature, The Girl from Yesterday (hardcover edition), Growing Up with Nguyen Nhat Anh's Books, this unit also launched the English version of Two Cats Sitting by the Window. This is the next work by author Nguyen Nhat Anh to be translated into English, after Sitting and Crying on a Tree, Have a Good Day, and I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass.
In addition, many works by other Vietnamese authors have also been translated and published in English by Tre Publishing House, such as: "Oxford, My Love," "Closing My Eyes and Seeing Paris," "The Golden Road of Sunshine," "Waiting for You in San Francisco," "The Little Doll and the Giant" (Duong Thuy); "Closing My Eyes and Opening the Window" (Nguyen Ngoc Thuan); "The Endless Field" (Nguyen Ngoc Tu), the illustrated history of Vietnam series (edited by Tran Bach Dang)...
It can be said that the simultaneous translation and publication of the aforementioned works is a positive step forward for the publishing industry. Besides expanding the readership, this is also a way to gradually promote and introduce these works at international book fairs or through cultural organizations and Vietnamese embassies in other countries. A prime example is "I See Yellow Flowers in the Green Grass," whose rights were purchased by Hannacroix Creek Books for publication and distribution in the United States.
However, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Minh, Director of Planning and Copyright at Nha Nam Publishing House, believes that the current market demand is not large enough, so investment is a matter worth considering: "Translating Vietnamese works into foreign languages is usually more expensive than translating foreign languages into Vietnamese. Given the current difficult economic situation, it will be very difficult for publishing houses to have the resources to undertake such reverse translation," Mr. Minh stated.
“Each translated publication will be a cultural ambassador of Vietnam to the world , facilitating the introduction and sale of publishing rights. And I believe that the market for Vietnamese books translated into foreign languages, or bilingual publications in Vietnam, will continue to grow as the cultural industry receives increased investment,” shared Ms. Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dich-sach-viet-nganh-xuat-ban-chuyen-minh-post807907.html
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