Revival of the Van Moi brand

Efforts of the professionals

Starting from 2005 and lasting until 2015, every year Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company organizes an anthology called New Literature (selected by writer Ho Anh Thai). In addition, every 5 years, this unit organizes a thicker anthology, including: New Literature of the first 5 years of the century 2001-2005, New Literature of the 5 years 2006-2010, New Literature of the 5 years 2011-2015 and most recently New Literature of the 10 years 2015-2025. This is truly the effort of those in the profession, thereby contributing to creating a sumptuous literary feast for readers.

$6B.jpg — Mr. Tran Dai Thang (left), writer Truong Anh Quoc. Photo: DONG A

Van Moi 10 years 2015-2025 is not simply the fourth volume in the Van Moi anthology series, but also a good sign of the revival of a brand that was once loved by readers. According to Mr. Tran Dai Thang, Director of Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company, after 10 years of establishment, because he wanted to find a different direction, Van Moi temporarily stopped. At that time, Van Moi was transferred to Tre Publishing House, also selected by writer Ho Anh Thai. However, after 2 publications Van Moi 2014-2015 and Van Moi 2016-2017, it was no longer published. "Earlier this year, in a chance meeting with readers, many people mentioned Van Moi with no small amount of regret. At that time, I came up with the idea of making a volume to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Van Moi's establishment and to remember the 10-year hiatus," said Mr. Tran Dai Thang.

Like the previous 5-year periodicals, Van Moi 10 years 2015-2025 is also invested elaborately with interesting gifts. The collection includes 41 prose works by 41 authors from all over the country, including authors of Vietnamese origin abroad. Therefore, the front and back covers of the collection show images of colorful squares, looking like a chessboard but also like multicolored windows, from which you can see the faces of contemporary writers.

Each book of New Literature 10 years 2015-2025 is accompanied by a postcard as a "little secret" sent to the reader. Each postcard is a portrait and comment about an author, artist, or designer in the collection. Accordingly, there are 49 postcard designs (including 41 authors, 7 artists, and 1 designer) randomly distributed with the book. In addition to the popular version, Dong A also made 100 special hardcover copies, directly signed by the authors and artists, for those who want to collect and enjoy books.

A part of the face of contemporary Vietnamese literature

Although certainly not complete, the 10-year New Literature 2015-2025 has somewhat reflected the appearance of the country's literature in the past 10 years in the short story genre. The works cover many issues, from the lowlands to the highlands and islands, expanding their range to countries beyond the borders. The anthology also advocates the inclusion of many different literary styles, from strict tones to humorous and tragicomedy blends, from traditional narratives to new explorations of art and content.

$6C.jpg — New Literature Publication 10 years 2015-2025

As a familiar name in the Van Moi anthology, writer Truong Anh Quoc expressed his joy at the return of Van Moi. “With 41 authors, the anthology has somewhat summarized the literary life, bringing readers new works from famous writers to new writers. I am very happy and proud to be included in the Van Moi anthology for the 10th time this year. This is an opportunity for me to meet my literary friends, read and share to write better and be more responsible with words,” writer Truong Anh Quoc shared.

Besides the veteran and famous writers, Van Moi 10 years 2015-2025 also gives opportunities to writers born in the 80s, 90s, and gen Z such as Huu Vi, Le Khai Viet, Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa, Van Thanh Le, Nguyen Khac Ngan Vi, Dinh Phuong, Cao Nguyet Nguyen, Hien Trang, Le Quang Trang, Huynh Trong Khang... Among them, the youngest is Vo Dang Khoa (born in 2001, currently living and working in An Giang ).

At the age of 22, Vo Dang Khoa released the short story collection Flying Camel (Tre Publishing House), which helped him receive the Young Author Award of the Vietnam Writers Association in 2024. “Being included in Van Moi 10 for the 2015-2025 period is an honor and also a beautiful milestone on the path of writing. Through this, I believe more and more that there is always special attention from veteran writers for young writers like us. That is also the motivation for me and other young writers to continue to make more efforts in the journey of being attached to literature”, young writer Vo Dang Khoa expressed.

HO SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hoi-sinh-thuong-hieu-van-moi-post820298.html