Tale of Kieu 'goes abroad' with a new look

At the end of March, the translation of The Tale of Kieu - The Tale of Kieu: A New Cry of Heart - Rending Pain was released in the UK.

The translator of this version is Nguyen Binh, who received the Young Author Award from the Vietnam Writers Association in 2021 for this very translation.

The Tale of Kieu is one of the most translated Vietnamese literary works into foreign languages by translators both at home and abroad, of which Nguyen Binh's version has received special attention because it has retained the most "Vietnamese" aspects in terms of language. The translator shared that the 2025 version has many adjustments compared to 4 years ago, thereby bringing a new, solid, natural translation that is closer to the original.

The Tale of Kieu book cover

PHOTO: MAJOR BOOKS

This publication also comes with many annotations and commentary - something very rare in the international publishing world. According to the translator, he and the Major Books brand (whose mission is to promote Vietnamese literature internationally) have tried to retain this, thereby showing the position of Truyen Kieu in the Nom literature stream and bringing foreign readers closer to Vietnamese culture. In the introduction, Nguyen Binh shared: "I hope this translation will bring readers into Kieu's world , helping them feel the weight of her choice as well as to understand why for Vietnamese people, Truyen Kieu is not only a work but also a part of their flesh and blood".

Previously, Major Books introduced the English versions of Prostitution (Vu Trong Phung) and National Chronicle (Nguyen Ngoc Tu). The translations expected to be released in the near future are Parallel (Vu Dinh Giang), Old Children Die (Nguyen Binh Phuong), Crossroads and Lampposts (Tran Dan)...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truyen-kieu-xuat-ngoai-voi-dien-mao-moi-185250407211043934.htm