Vietnamese Literature after 1975 through the perspective of young writers:

Quang Canh Children's Literature.jpg — Scene of the discussion. Photo: H.Hoang

Forum of young writers

In his opening speech, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association , emphasized that after 1975, the dimension of Vietnamese literature and art had completely changed compared to before. Vietnamese literature expanded its scope, strength, and geography, with the participation of writers from southern provinces and cities, and Vietnamese writers living abroad. Young writers also participated in literature through their own writings, through their responsibility to society, to people, to hidden beauties, forgotten beauties, and other spiritual and moral values.

Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, speaks. Photo: H.Hoang

According to poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, in 2025, the Vietnam Writers Association organized three seminars on “Basic achievements of Vietnamese literature after 1975 – appearance, trends and genres” (in Ho Chi Minh City); “Issues and prospects for literary development” (in Da Nang); “Vietnamese literature after 1975 – Achievements, issues and prospects” (in Hanoi ) to summarize and look at Vietnamese literature over the past 50 years. But this discussion is special because half a century of literature is reflected through the eyes of young writers.

“With their passion, creativity, courage and intelligence, we can talk about Vietnamese literature over the past 50 years through their own eyes. They will bring an interesting perspective and we are waiting for them to speak. It is not just a wait to know what achievements we have made or what still exists, but through their perspective on literature, on the attitude, responsibility and conscience of writers, we can predict the future of Vietnamese literature,” poet Nguyen Quang Thieu hopes.

Poet Tran Huu Viet, Head of the Young Writers Committee (Vietnam Writers Association) speaks. Photo: H.Hoang

Introducing the conference, poet Tran Huu Viet, Head of the Young Writers Committee (Vietnam Writers Association) affirmed that discussing the "prospects of Vietnamese literature" cannot be without young writers, although the previous three conferences also had a number of young delegates.

This forum is for the truly young, many writers who are not yet members of the Vietnam Writers Association, or who have not even thought about joining the Association, so that they can give their views, assessments, and questions about the past 50 years of literature, about the authors and works that appeared many years before they were born. Through that, the Vietnam Writers Association can have more assessments of the past 50 years of literature, and together with young writers, think, plan, and act on a literature in the coming years, accompanying the great strides of the Vietnamese people in the new era.

Moving but not much of an impression

The discussion recorded many frank and multi-dimensional opinions from young writers from many localities across the country. The authors all affirmed that Vietnamese literature 50 years after the country's reunification has undergone a transformation. Writer Nguyen Hoang Dieu Thuy said that literature after 1975 has many imprints, many genres have been explored such as world affairs, history, fantasy, fairy tales, fantasy, detective, thriller, horror, graphic novels. This shows a rapid transformation and adaptation to world trends.

children's-literature-123.jpg — Young authors share. Photo: H.Hoang

The marks of achievement can be seen in publishing activities, as well as the appearance of overseas authors and authors of Vietnamese origin. In the last 15 years, many young authors have appeared with ambition and strong writing ability.

Writer Le Vu Truong Giang commented that the writing force of the past 50 years can be divided into three main groups. The first group includes authors who matured during the war and the period of national reunification. They continue to write with a spirit of innovation, expressing the changes in society and new thinking in the post-war period. The second group are authors who wrote before and after 1975. The works of this group both inherit and transform, contributing significantly to the richness of modern literature. The third group are young writers, born and raised in a rapidly changing society like the 7X generation and later. They have new creative thinking, deeply expressing the issues of contemporary society. Their literature is a journey of self-discovery, expressing the freshness and strength of the new generation.

Writer Tran Van Thien believes that over the past 50 years, there have been many works that have resonated as soon as they were published and live forever in the hearts of readers. The themes of war, post-war, human fate, and the Vietnamese countryside have been exploited throughout. But it seems that there have not been many works that have transcended the ideology of the times, opened a new path that few people have embarked on, a new identity, new ideas, and changed familiar perspectives.

“Writers seem to be following the same old paths, with a way of receiving things based on a system of reference that rarely changes. Many writers accept the path of writing in a market-oriented way, creating ease and convenience in publishing their works, which is also one of the reasons why the inner nature of literature has not been fully liberated,” said writer Le Van Thien.

As for young writers, according to writer Le Van Thien, young writers today have been determined to find a new path, and have had the interaction and influence of world literature. Therefore, the previous generation of writers needs to change the way they receive works that reflect the inquisitive nature of the next generation of writers.

Contribute young voices to new era literature

Commenting on Vietnamese literature since entering the 21st century, young writer Cao Viet Quynh said that it has expanded to the world. Besides immortal, long-standing works, there has been the birth of countless new genres. Fantasy, science fiction, romance, detective, and horror stories written by Vietnamese people, for Vietnamese people, are increasingly numerous, creating a rich, unique feature for Vietnamese literature. According to author Cao Viet Quynh, this diversity helps Vietnamese literature reach many young people, making it more accessible to international friends.

Writer Le Quang Trang speaks at the seminar. Photo: H.Hoang

Looking back at the past 50 years of Vietnamese literature, writer Le Quang Trang expressed his pride and saw the “fire” of responsibility burning. Today’s writing generation cannot just continue, but must innovate, strengthen, and change – so that Vietnamese literature can step out into the world with its own Vietnamese voice, identity, and soul.

According to writer Le Quang Trang, national identity is the core that creates the lasting vitality of literature. But preserving identity does not mean stubbornly clinging to the old, but knowing how to breathe the Vietnamese spirit into the breath of modernity.

In order for young writers to be able to “live, write, and go further”, writer Le Quang Trang proposed a national strategy to promote Vietnamese literature to the world, linked with cinema, tourism, theater, and visual arts; have creative funds, translation programs, open writing camps, and international exchange forums for young writers to access; innovate writing and criticism training to help young people find their own voice, their own way of thinking, and their generation's storytelling.

Young authors who came to the discussion all expressed their desire to write, to commit, to mature and to together contribute to creating a new look for 21st century Vietnamese literature.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/van-hoc-viet-nam-sau-nam-1975-qua-goc-nhin-nguoi-viet-tre-khat-vong-doi-moi-va-tien-xa-hon-723424.html