Luu Quang Vu - Xuan Quynh and their poetry

“It has been more than 30 years since Luu Quang Vu left this world. But every autumn, when the yellow chrysanthemums bloom, I feel as if I see him again. He is walking on the streets of Hanoi. He, with his burning passion and the verses that stir in his heart...”

Báo Đồng Nai•14/03/2026

These are the heartfelt and proud words of Associate Professor Dr. Luu Khanh Tho - the younger sister of poet and playwright Luu Quang Vu - in "Flowers That Never Die," a collection of poems by Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh that she compiled and narrated, recently published by Kim Dong Publishing House in early 2026.

Life stories told through poetry

The collection of poems that never die not only features the famous poems of poet and playwright Luu Quang Vu and female poet Xuan Quynh, but also includes life stories, revealing glimpses into the lives of this talented couple – the greatest love poets of contemporary Vietnamese poetry.

The opening pages of the poetry collection are works about his homeland, the land connected to his childhood and the source of inspiration for many of Luu Quang Vu's representative works. "Chu Hung village, moon and stars fall into the well / Surrounded by dense bamboo forests / Along the stream, ripe yellow figs fall / Lush green palms glisten in the Thao River..." (Chu Hung Village, 1964). Chu Hung village – a midland region of Phu Tho province – is depicted through Luu Quang Vu's poetry as very poetic and affectionate. This was an evacuation site for people from the lowlands, mostly from the capital, including a group of artists and Luu Quang Vu's family. The picturesque scenery and the warm, genuine community spirit contributed to shaping the soul of young Vu at that time. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of Luu Quang Vu's inspiration and artistic style connected to this special land through Luu Khanh Tho's revelation: "At fifteen years old, Luu Quang Vu wrote the poem 'Chu Hung Village,' conveying the love and longing of someone born in this land. In his recollections, Luu Quang Vu always dedicated pages filled with beautiful and peaceful memories of his childhood in the mountains of Chu Hung..."

Following Chu Hung village are the rural areas, towns, and landscapes that the young man Luu Quang Vu had visited. These include "Crossing the Thuong River": "Why is the river called Thuong? So that my heart remembers / The ancients said here are two small streams of tears / Sad streams sent to the vastness..." or "Tonight we march through the town / A silver moon, a few constellations" (The Town, 1966).

Along with the poetic inspirations of his works, "Flowers That Never Die" compiles poems that almost perfectly portray the emotional sources and poetic style of Luu Quang Vu. It is a blend of intense emotion, profound reflection, and sincerity. He wrote with the heart of someone who deeply loved life and was also constantly troubled by it. Therefore, his poetry is not only beautiful but also possesses a lasting haunting power.

Love, pride

Not only do we get to reread the verses that made Luu Quang Vu famous, but we also learn about the influential figures and loved ones in his poetry: the country in "The Country of the Zither," his mother in "To Mother," his father in "That Afternoon," his literary friends in "Winter Solstice Night," drinking with Uncle Lam and Uncle Khanh, talking about farewells during times of turmoil... or the poem "Speaking to My Son at the End of the Year" (dedicated to Luu Minh Vu)... And in "The Flowers That Never Die" - the poem that serves as the title of the poetry collection - is filled with the sentiment of camaraderie: "Those friends who have died / Will also return like flowers / Cut in spring, they will bloom again in January / Flowers that never die."

Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh's poetry... On one side are reflections and anxieties about life and the human condition... On the other side are the sincere and heartfelt confessions of a woman yearning for happiness, wholeheartedly devoted to love, family, and humanity. With Luu Khanh Tho's storytelling, "Flowers That Never Die" opens up an artistic space rich in poetry and life, nurturing the reader's soul with faith in the beauty of love and goodness.

When mentioning Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh, it's impossible to ignore their love story. These aren't flowery words, but genuine emotions—sometimes happy, sometimes painful, sometimes filled with anxiety. According to his younger sister, Luu Khanh Tho, the poet and playwright Luu Quang Vu was a talented and sensitive young man. He believed that the fulfillment of a person's life lies in finding love, even if that love may not last a lifetime. "People still talk a lot about him, about his plays, his poetry, and about the women who were once in his life. And in that, there's quite a bit of truth mixed with fiction," author Luu Khanh Tho revealed.

Luu Quang Vu's love stories are also recounted, from the vague, dreamy emotions of school days to the passionate, intoxicating first love – the inspiration for very romantic works such as: "Garden in the City," "The Warmth of a Hand"... It also includes the deep sadness contained in his poems when a love affair ends, until the warmth returns when he finds his "eternal horizon."

The latter half of the poetry collection features Xuân Quỳnh's outstanding works, along with stories that illuminate the poet's soul, from her childhood, anxieties, worries, and above all, love. In "Blue Chrysanthemums," Xuân Quỳnh "revived the gentle, fresh, innocent, and pristine emotions of a young heart": "Blue chrysanthemums exist or not / In the swamp of your childhood / A silent river flows from afar / The deserted valley is filled with mist at the window..."

It can be said that Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh were two different voices that blended together in one melody – the melody of love, faith, and the aspiration for life. They left behind for Vietnamese poetry not only beautiful works but also a beautiful story about human relationships and life, which still evokes emotion and appreciation in readers whenever it is mentioned.

In the narrative of the poetry collection "Flowers That Never Die," Luu Khanh Tho dedicated pages to the poetess Xuan Quynh with deep affection, respect, and pride. Through honest and simple stories, the sorrow for these two talents of Vietnamese poetry is also revealed, receiving much empathy from readers. "Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh lived short lives but left behind verses that are very profound and long-lasting," shared reader Huynh Minh Vy (from Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province).

And especially, for my mother, the love for her talented and filial son, Luu Quang Vu, is vividly expressed through Luu Khanh Tho's account: "The longing and memories of him have become a part of my mother's life. During her lifetime, she would talk about him at every meal, in every sleep, in every daily conversation. I always think that my mother must have suffered immense pain, but also had a great sense of pride..."

Nhat Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202603/luu-quang-vu-xuan-quynh-va-tho-e07339b/