A book project called “Tu Sach Van Hoa Viet” (Bookshelf of Vietnam Culture) promotes books about Vietnamese culture to Vietnamese and international readers. (Photo courtesy of Chibooks) The project was initiated by the CHI Cultural Joint Stock Company(Chibooks) in collaboration with the country’s leading publishing houses of VănHọc (Literature) and Lao Dong (Labour), aiming to translating Vietnamesecultural books into other languages.
The programme now features eight titles about people, culture and cuisine fromdifferent regions of Vietnam, written by six authors including Dao ThiThanh Tuyen, Do Quang Tuan Hoang, and Phi Tan.
Tuyen presents two books Sai Gon RongRuoi Noi Nho (Sai Gon and Nostalgia) highlighting her love for hersecond homeland, and Nha Trang Mua DepNhat (Best Season of Nha Trang) featuring life, food and people of thecoastal city - her hometown.
The 62-year-old author said she was nervous when learning that her books werechosen for the project.
“I wonder what people who don’t speak Vietnamese think of my books. Ihave many foreign friends and I love to gift them my books, especially theEnglish version,” Tuyen said.
Born in Khanh Hoa province, Tuyen graduated from the HCM City University ofTechnology and Education in 1981, and then worked at the Khanh Hoa province’sDepartment of Science and Technology.
She began her writing career in 1997 and has released 12 literature works. Sheis a member of the Khanh Hoa province’s Association of Literature and Arts.
Tuyen now retired and is living in HCM City.
The project also includes Vat Qua NhungNgan May (Acoss the Country) by Do Quang Tuan Hoang about his journeyto discover life and people all over the country, and HaNoi: Chuyen An, Chuyen Uong Mot Thoi (Cuisine of old Hanoi) by Vu TheLong.
At first, the eight books will be translated into English and Chinese by nativetranslators.
Chibooks will publish the books overseas, as well as showcase them atinternational book fairs.
The company will sell book copyright for foreign publishers who want totranslate into their own languages.
Nguyen Le Chi, director of Chibooks, said many foreign translators were good atlanguage, but did not know the country’s culture well. So the projectaims to help them understand more about Vietnamese culture in order toimprove translation.
“The project may not see results in one or two years. However, if we try ourbest and have trust in our path, we’ll see results in five years,” Chi added./.
VNA
