Recently, a group of writers from the province visited poet Pham Da Thuy in Ninh Hoa town. This was a deeply emotional and literary encounter, as for many years the literary community of Khanh Hoa had vaguely been concerned about the health of this gentle female poet from the Dinh River region. Pham Da Thuy is a foreign language teacher who loves literature. She has published many outstanding poetry collections and has been admitted to the Vietnam Writers Association. Due to dementia, she remained cheerful and innocent when we met her, only unable to remember the names of the people she encountered. This is a great loss for a foreign language teacher and poet. Since then, she has had to leave the literary community she cherishes so deeply.
Along with poet Pham Da Thuy, the literary community of Khanh Hoa also deeply mourns the passing of writer Quy The. He was one of the most talented writers in the Khanh Hoa literary scene in the 1990s, winning a high prize at the Literature and Arts Newspaper with his short story "The Scent of the Tiger," which caused a great sensation at the time. Afterward, he wrote short stories and won many awards in competitions; he was admitted to the Vietnam Writers Association. Recently, he was invited to a conference of veteran writers in Hai Phong , but he did not attend. Nearly 10 years had passed since he left the literary world, living quietly abroad before returning to Vietnam. His fellow writers had little news of him because he rarely interacted due to his health. Currently, many other writers are also struggling to live out their final years, such as Xuan Tuynh and Tri Nhan...
There was a time when the literary scene in Khanh Hoa was home to many famous writers and poets: Giang Nam, Dao Xuan Quy, Nguyen Ho, Y Dieng, The Vu, Tran Vu Mai, Cao Duy Thao, Nguyen Khac Phuc..., followed by the next generation: Cao Linh Quan, Nguyen Duc Linh, Le Khanh Mai, Ai Duy, Ton Nu Thu Thuy, Phan Cao Toai, Tran Chan Uy, Nguyen Minh Ngoc, Hoang Nhat Tuyen, Quy The, Van Ha, Bach Van Nguyen Dong… Currently, although fewer in number, there is a new group: Khue Viet Truong, Luu Cam Van, Le Duc Duong, Le Duc Quang, Tran Ngoc Ho Truong, Dao Thi Thanh Tuyen, Quoc Sinh and young writers Nguyen Hoang Vu, Ngo The Lam, Nhu Hoai, Hong Dao, Huu Phu, Huong Nhuan…
It's worth noting that, with current trends, the literary scene has seen a decline in both writers and readers, resulting in a subdued atmosphere and fewer works that stir the emotions of readers as before. Even the writing community is fragmented, lacking cohesion, and there are fewer literary gatherings. Consequently, older writers are increasingly relegated to their own niches. This is regrettable because writers need friends and a social environment to create. Even for young writers, forming a group is extremely difficult. A handful of writers diligently submit articles to newspapers to earn a living, while publishing books is something everyone is hesitant about. Therefore, Khánh Hòa has not been able to organize a conference for young writers for over 10 years. At the national conference for young writers two years ago, it took a long time to find a single writer to represent Khánh Hòa!
I believe it's time for the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts and the Vietnam Writers Association branch in Khanh Hoa to regularly visit and encourage veteran writers; to inspire and create a new creative environment for young writers through practical actions, so that the provincial literary scene can overcome its current stagnation.
DUONG MY ANH
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