Many young authors are not passionate and lonely enough to go the long way in literature.

On November 28th, in Hanoi , the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) collaborated with the Young Writers' Committee (Vietnam Writers Association) to organize a workshop on improving the quality of young writers' literary works in 2023 .

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tran Huong Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), said that the workshop aimed to create a forum for writers, scientists , and researchers to clarify some issues regarding the enhancement of young writers' creative abilities. Through the workshop, many opinions were also proposed, suggesting solutions to improve the role of state agencies and specialized literary associations in fostering the development of young writers.

"Currently, the quality of young writers' works is affected by many different factors and trends. We urgently need innovations in content, methods, and creative direction."

However, the question is how far we have innovated, and how can we improve the quality of young writers' works so that they truly resonate with young people, are accepted by the public and readers, and truly create a foundation for the formation of values in our national literature?" Mr. Duong shared.

Nhiều tác giả trẻ chưa đủ đam mê và cô đơn để đi đường dài văn chương - 1 — Mr. Tran Huong Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Performing Arts, shared his views at the workshop (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Poet Tran Huu Viet - Head of the Young Writers' Committee ( Vietnam Writers Association ) - stated that in the Vietnam Writers Association, the percentage of young members (up to 40 years old) is only approximately 4%, and if calculated from 35 years old and below, it is only about 1.7%. This is a low number and has remained so for many years.

In that context, the number of writers specializing in literary criticism and translation is low; the majority are still writers of poetry and prose.

"Most young writers are well-equipped with knowledge and a passion for writing; some emerge as promising talents, but in many cases, they suddenly stop writing and leave the literary scene as gently as they arrived."

Through our research, we found that young writers desire to interact, exchange ideas, and gain experience with other writers; to learn from previous generations and receive training; to regularly be given opportunities to go on field trips to immerse themselves in life and participate in writing camps; to receive support for printing and publishing; and to have their works introduced and promoted.

"They also hope for more appropriate literary awards to be appreciated, recognized, and to gain more energy and confidence to stay committed to writing in the long term," said poet Tran Huu Viet.

Writer Bich Ngan - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association - also believes that improving the quality of young literary works in Ho Chi Minh City through awards aims to encourage literary entrepreneurship among university students and ignite a passion for literature in the younger generation.

"Young authors need to be creative in a civilized and open environment, in a cultural environment that respects creative individuality and a desire for innovation, first and foremost by innovating themselves and surpassing themselves through their works. Many young people abandon writing midway for various reasons; perhaps they lack passion and feel lonely, or lack the motivation to pursue a long-term career in literature," Ms. Ngan shared.

Nhiều tác giả trẻ chưa đủ đam mê và cô đơn để đi đường dài văn chương - 2 — Writer Bich Ngan - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association - speaks at the event (Photo: Thanh Tu).

Ms. Ngan added that literary works should be seen as an important cultural channel for nurturing the soul and character of Vietnamese people, both present and future, with the young writers of today serving as the main springboard.

According to the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers' Association, a reasonable budget is needed for young writers, and the state should boldly commission works from young authors, especially novels. When young authors feel secure in their mission at the writing desk, they will fully realize their responsibility as true writers.

Associate Professor Pham Xuan Thach - Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) - stated that the current generation of young writers should be viewed as startups, and what is most essential for them is a startup ecosystem.

"One of the particularly important factors in supporting a writer's creative work is helping them develop a solid philosophical, ideological, and social awareness foundation. This is a continuous accumulation process, and the best way to build that foundation is to promote dialogue and allow learners to draw their own conclusions."

"In addition to the writing training model in professional schools, we also need to encourage and train writing in multidisciplinary schools, and it should even be a model that exists alongside the traditional model," Mr. Pham Xuan Thach further shared.

In addition, he emphasized the role of literary competitions and awards in discovering artistic ideas and talented individuals; and stressed the need for policies to support projects by young writers who are beginning their artistic careers.

Young writer Hien Trang, who participated in the International Writing Program (IWP), said that the event gave her wonderful experiences and endless inspiration for writing.

After the course, Hien Trang was greatly motivated to write, gained the courage to accept herself for who she truly is, and grew to love her chosen writing career even more.

She also hopes that in Vietnam, alongside professional training programs, young writers will be given the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and comfortable environment, helping them to fully develop their abilities and dedicate themselves to writing.

Lac Thanh - Thanh Tu

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