Gia Lai Youth Literature: Where two sources meet and resonate

(GLO)- After the merger of Gia Lai province, literature is seen as a special stream, where two sources meet and resonate. The Literature Association (Gia Lai Literature and Arts Association) was born from the merger of two previous Literature Associations, including a strong young force.

Many bold assertions

In June 2022, the 10th Conference of Young Writers organized by the Vietnam Writers Association in Da Nang gathered 138 delegates from across the country. Binh Dinh had 5 delegates, Gia Lai (old) also contributed 5 faces. That number surprised many people because these two localities were only less than Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, surpassing most other provinces and cities.

Many young writers of Gia Lai won prizes in the writing campaign “People's Public Security - 80 years of building, fighting and growing up”. Photo: NVCC

Here, the names announced are more or less familiar to readers: Truong Cong Tuong, Van Phi, Nhien Dang (Tran Quoc Toan), Nguyen Dang Thuy Trang, Nguyen Anh Nhat from Binh Dinh; Ksor H'Yuen, Truong Thi Chung, Le Thi Kim Son, Ta Ngoc Diep, Nguyen Lu Thu Hong from Gia Lai.

Besides them, there is also a whole generation of young authors, writers in their thirties, passionate about words, writing regularly, quietly asserting themselves. Some quietly publish their own books, others diligently write for prestigious newspapers and magazines. We can mention many names such as Le Van Dong, My Tien, Khong Truong Chien, Tran Van Thien, Thuy Han, Thien Nga So Zuon, Le Hua Huyen Tran... (old Binh Dinh); Nguyen Thi Diem, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Li Phan, Vo Dinh Duy, Vo My Hanh - Van, Chu Hoang Sinh, Kim Ly, Truc Phung, Do Van Minh... (old Gia Lai).

The authors have been shaping their style and making many marks on the literary world with literary awards. Most recently, in 2025, in Gia Lai, writer Le Vi Thuy won first prize in the short story contest of Song Huong Magazine; Lu Hong won fourth prize in the short story contest of Van Nghe Newspaper. Nearly a dozen other writers won prizes in the writing campaign "People's Public Security - 80 years of building, fighting and growing up".

In Binh Dinh, author Van Phi won the first prize for his essay in the writing contest about the provincial armed forces. Poet Nhien Dang won first prize in the poetry category at the Binh Dinh Poetry and Short Story Contest 2024 - 2025; Thuy Han won second prize in the short story category. In the "Poetry and Origin" contest, according to the results announced by the Organizing Committee of the Contest on September 2, Gia Lai had 3 authors winning prizes, including 2 young faces, Van Phi and Nhien Dang.

Poet Nhien Dang confided: “All the presences today carry the soul of memories. I want to convey messages about culture, history, about how people live with nature, about village love and neighborliness… It is that simplicity that has nurtured the dreams of food and clothing for us children to grow up and go further. I am also completing the manuscript and printing my second collection of poems this year.”

Unlocking potential

After the merger, the Literature Association (Gia Lai Literature and Arts Association) has 152 members, becoming one of the main branches of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association. Poet Ngo Thanh Van, Vice President of the Association, Head of the Literature Association, shared: “After the merger, the literature sector has about 30 young writers. They have won many awards and write regularly. Compared to the general level of the country, Gia Lai young literature is gradually asserting its strength in both quantity and quality.”

Two young authors Nhien Dang and Thuy Han received awards in the Binh Dinh Poetry and Short Story Competition 2024 - 2025. Photo: Ngo Phong

Poet Le Vi Thuy also sees new opportunities. She expressed: "I hope that young Gia Lai literature can conquer difficult topics, exploiting regional cultural colors with new creative inspiration."

Writer Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy - author of the story "The Salt Life" (won the encouragement prize of the Binh Dinh Poetry and Short Story Contest 2024 - 2025), recounting her childhood memories in the Sa Huynh salt fields (old Quang Ngai ), the area bordering Tam Quan (old Binh Dinh) - confided: "There are so many stories of memories, identities, and history of the land that writers can exploit. I am also learning more about the land and people of Gia Lai (new) to add more data to my writing...".

It can be seen that the range of young writers' writing is very wide and rich. Some choose poetry, some devote themselves to short stories, memoirs, novels, even criticism and translation. That diversity helps the picture of young literature not be monotonous. But it also comes with many concerns. Many young writers have difficulty in printing, publishing, and bringing their works closer to readers. Some lack the economic conditions and environment to devote themselves to writing. Without timely attention and support, it is easy for young talents to be missed or stop at a standstill.

Poet Ngo Thi Thanh Van confided: For many years, Binh Dinh has maintained an annual Young Literary and Artistic Writing Camp; Gia Lai has also organized many writing camps and seminars for young writers. These activities have contributed to nurturing literary seeds. After the merger, the expectation is: How can writing camps not just stop at a few days of reunion, but become a long-term strategy, creating a launching pad for the new generation. If nurtured with the right orientation, supported in publishing, promotion, and expanded space for exchange at home and abroad, surely young literature in Gia Lai (new) province will create highlights on the map of Vietnamese literature.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/van-hoc-tre-gia-lai-noi-hai-mach-nguon-gap-go-va-cong-huong-post567034.html