Bringing Vietnamese Literature to the World: Need for a Methodical and Long-Term Strategy

Ho Chi Minh City booth at Frankfurt Book Fair (2023).

Still single journeys

If we name some Vietnamese literary works that have been translated into English, French, Korean, Japanese and have made a splash, we must mention: “The Sorrow of War” (Bao Ninh); Short stories by Nguyen Huy Thiep; “I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass” (Nguyen Nhat Anh)... Some works by writer Ho Anh Thai have been translated into English, Hindi, Korean... and published in many countries. Notably, writer Ho Anh Thai is not only an author but also a bridge connecting Vietnamese literature with international friends through participating in conferences, writing camps, and global cultural exchanges.

Among them, writers such as Nguyen Nhat Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Duong Thuy, Nguyen Ngoc Thuan currently have many works selected by Tre Publishing House to be translated and published in the international market... Not only translated into English, Nguyen Nhat Anh's books are also loved by the Asian market, so many translated books have been released in the past 20 years.

These are outstanding efforts to bring Vietnamese literature closer to the global mainstream. However, these successes mostly come from the personal efforts of writers, translators or the support of foreign cultural organizations, and have not yet formed a systematic national strategy.

It is a pity that Vietnamese literature has many excellent works but does not have the opportunity to be known by international friends.

So what are the difficulties and barriers? According to experts, the biggest problem is the lack of a language bridge. It is not easy to fully translate the atmosphere of the Northern countryside, the psychology of characters experiencing war, or the metaphorical and multi-layered meanings in Vietnamese literature into other languages. The job of a translator is not only to convey content, but also to transform spirit and culture - a task that requires both linguistic ability and literary sensitivity and deep understanding. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of translators with such abilities.

In addition, we also lack a communication strategy, funding, and copyright protection mechanisms. Without clear “distribution channels”, Vietnamese works, no matter how good, still have difficulty reaching international readers, that is obvious.

New signals

Last March, Chi Culture Joint Stock Company (Chibooks) worked with author Do Quang Tuan Hoang and signed a contract to represent two new works, “Vietnam - Dressing leisurely” and “A thousand years of Vietnamese tea”, in the genres of essays, memoirs, and research. The two books are currently being translated into Chinese for “export”.

Translated books by writer Nguyen Nhat Anh.

At the end of 2024, the Vietnam Writers Association and the Pakistan Institute of Literature signed a cooperation agreement to translate and publish the works “Truyen Kieu” by the great poet Nguyen Du, “Diary in Prison” by President Ho Chi Minh, “Song Nui Tren Vai” - a collection of poems by Vietnamese poets into Urdu (the language of Pakistan) in the neighboring country. The Vietnam Writers Association also signed a memorandum of understanding with 3 literary and cultural organizations in Taiwan (China) towards exchanging translations and publishing literary works...

These are signals that bring many expectations to experts. However, to create a strong and long-term change, according to some experts, it is urgent to build a systematic, long-term and methodical strategy. In fact, many works have been translated into English, French, Korean... but still do not create a buzz due to the lack of appropriate promotion strategies, lack of connection with the market and local readers.

Experience from countries such as Thailand, South Korea, and Japan shows that their success comes from synchronous investment in translation centers, publishing support funds, and clear promotion strategies. For example, South Korea has the Institute of Translation Literature to support the strategic and professional publication of Korean literature abroad.

Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Thu Hien - Faculty of Cultural Studies - University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City) believes that we can refer to the way of promoting Korean literature. Vietnam and Korea have the same tradition of loving literature. We also have the advantage of a team of young and dynamic writers. Therefore, if there is a national strategy, Vietnamese literature can completely enter the mainstream of world literature.

Creating a Vietnamese literary brand

According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Ngoc Trung - former Head of the Department of Culture and Development - Academy of Journalism and Communication, to bring literature in particular and art in general to the world in the coming period, it is necessary to invest heavily in translating Vietnamese literary and artistic works into different languages. Vietnamese literature has not been widely translated. The lack of a team of good translators who understand both cultures is one of the factors that hinder Vietnamese literature from reaching foreign readers.

“In order for Vietnamese literature and art to have a profound influence in the world, there needs to be a legal system and policy mechanism that is scientific and appropriate enough to allow talents to develop more, to make international cooperation more favorable and effective, and from there to establish connections between Vietnam and world literary and artistic centers,” Mr. Trung emphasized.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Mai Anh Tuan - Lecturer at Hanoi University of Culture said that in Vietnam, financial support for literary translation (as a cultural export strategy) is still too little. Therefore, it is necessary to soon establish a National Literary Translation Fund, managed and operated by a state agency. This fund will play a role in selecting, supporting translation, and promoting Vietnamese literature internationally in a systematic and long-term manner.

At the same time, according to Mr. Tuan, it is necessary to synchronously build a number of departments/fields of translation, Vietnamese literature translation, Vietnamese books/documents to have a quality and abundant human resource. When this condition is ensured, we can carry out parallel work and customized strategies in promoting and introducing Vietnamese literature internationally.

Along with that, there must be a strategy to promote and disseminate Vietnamese literature and art in a scientific manner, combining short-term and long-term. At the same time, promote the process of modernization and digitalization in printing, publishing, composing and introducing and promoting Vietnamese literary and artistic works to the world...

Some experts also believe that it is necessary to choose works with content that is both indigenous and touches on human issues: war, migration, identity, feminism, environment... Along with that, link up with cultural programs, international book fairs to participate in major book fairs such as Frankfurt, London, Bologna... This is an opportunity to connect directly with foreign publishers and experts.

Sharing with reporters, Mr. Nguyen The Ky - Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council said that the issue of bringing literature to the world needs to be viewed on a macro level. We do not have a national strategy, including translation. Translation from foreign languages ​​into Vietnamese and translation from Vietnamese into foreign languages.

“I think there must be a national project on this issue. Once there are policies and mechanisms, we must train and develop a team of experts and translation agencies. We must select Vietnamese works to bring abroad. This is not only literature but also other art forms,” Mr. Ky emphasized, adding that it is not only paper books and printed books but also e-books and digital platforms to bring works abroad.

It can be said that Vietnamese literature has many values ​​to contribute to the global literary forum, but to "go out into the world" in a systematic and sustainable way, there needs to be close coordination between authorities, artists, translators and publishers. This is not only a story of translated works, but also a long-term strategy to create a "Vietnamese literary brand".

Poet Tran Dang Khoa - Vice President of Vietnam Writers Association: Works must have their own value and vitality.

If literature wants to reach out to the world, it must first have good literary works. “A good work needs no bush”, when the work is good, people will naturally seek it out. Then there must be a translator. The translator must be good at foreign languages ​​and must also have literary talent to be able to translate; just being good at foreign languages ​​is not enough.

Many Vietnamese literary works have been translated into English, French, Korean, etc., but they have not created a buzz, not necessarily due to the problem of promotion. If they are good, there is no need to promote them. We have to see if the translated work is really good. Not every time it is printed abroad, it will be released abroad. Promotion is very important, but promotion is nothing if the work is not good. Once it is not good, no matter how much whitewash, lacquer or gold is applied to it, it will not be successful. The work must have its own value and vitality to be released abroad.

Along with that, all works released to the world must have humanity and tradition through which people can know what that nation is like. They must touch on issues that the whole world is concerned about.

In my opinion, there needs to be attention at the macro level. Currently, the Vietnam Writers Association is doing this very well. The Association has had meetings with the world, promoting our literature to the world. And we will continue to expect it in the future.

According to daidoanket.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dua-van-hoc-viet-nam-ra-the-gioi-can-chien-luoc-bai-ban-va-dai-hoi-post401773.html