Truong Anh Tu: A heartfelt voice for the homeland in every verse

Truong Anh Tu is a familiar name in Vietnam’s literary scene, recognized by readers as one of the overseas authors whose poetry appears most frequently in Vietnamese newspapers and magazines. Although he has lived and worked abroad for more than 30 years, his deep affection for his homeland continues to resonate through his verses.

Poet Truong Anh Tu

On the occasion of the launch of his poetry collection “Trang may toc me” (“White Clouds, Mother’s Hair”), published by Kim Dong Publishing House, poet Truong Anh Tu shared with Dong Nai Weekend the messages he hopes to convey through his literature.

Poetry naturally comes from all aspects of life

*What is unique about your journey into poetry?

- My family has always had a deep love for poetry, and for me, it came naturally. I enjoyed it from my school days. Later, after moving abroad for work, I began writing more and published my first poems in newspapers in the 1990s, driven by a personal need. To me, poetry and music are the voice of the heart, of emotions, of the soul. Coming from a technical background, I find that after long hours of work, poetry becomes a kind of medicine, healing the soul, restoring balance in life, and allowing me to express the voice within, drawn from what I see and hear every day.

*How do you view the relationship between literature and real life?

- For me, the raw material of literature is life itself. The realities of life help shape the literature of each era. If a writer does not stay connected to the pulse of the contemporary world they live in, it becomes very difficult to create meaningful works. For me, lived reality is the truest and most powerful source of poetic inspiration. The voice of the times means writing and reflecting on what is alive, with the breath of life itself. Write with sweat, with the hands of working people. Open your heart to write what life calls on us to express. Write to bring positive values to society.

- For writers and poets like us, the essential task is to create meaningful works that enrich life and assist people in achieving positive outcomes. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a better and more humane society.

* It is not easy to do that. Do you have any advice for writers, especially young authors today?

- Anyone who wishes to write well must cultivate a love for life. To nurture that love, they need to believe in justice and look far, wide, and deep into the flow of life around them, immersing themselves in both nature and humanity. From this foundation, a writer can develop their own unique language and soul.

- Through language, a writer conveys the messages they wish to share with society. Literature allows us to have a better understand of the world around us. The social realities reflected in literature are not simply reproduced as they are, but carefully selected and filtered through each writer’s unique lens. What is essential is distilled, so that the work can rise alongside life, carrying intellectual and emotional messages to readers through the beauty of true art. This undertaking is what young writers must observe and express through their own thoughts, reflections, and emotions, and they will surely find success.

The fatherland is always in the heart

* You have lived abroad for more than 30 years, since a very young age, yet your poetry has always carried a deep love for your homeland. What has helped you preserve that purity of feeling?

- I left Vietnam when I was just over 20 and have lived in Germany for more than 30 years, nearly twice as long as I lived in Vietnam. Yet no matter where I am or what I do, the feeling of being Vietnamese comes naturally. I was born and raised there. Vietnam is my homeland, like a mother to me.

- Living abroad, with the distance that allows me to look back at my Fatherland, I’ve grown even more deeply attached to my homeland and country. No matter where I am, I feel that Vietnam is always in my heart. Wherever I go on this earth, when I turn around, I always see behind me my homeland, familiar and ever close.

- This year, our nation has experienced two major events: the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, and the 80th anniversary of National Day. These significant occasions have rallied the people together.

- Like many Vietnamese living abroad, I always direct my heart toward my homeland, filled with love and concern. What we do and where we are is not important, as we should always focus on the best aspects of our people and our homeland. Our motherland and fatherland are thus always of the utmost importance, embodying the dedication and sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese people.

*The country, as we see, is renewing and developing every day. What are your expectations for this development?

- That is very encouraging. Vietnam has risen strongly in all aspects and continues to integrate with the international community. I hope our country will keep “internationalizing” across various fields, increasingly developing and connecting with the world, so that Vietnamese people, wherever they are, will always feel their homeland close to them.

*You recently had the opportunity to introduce your poetry collection “White Clouds, Mother’s Hair” to readers at Ho Chi Minh City’s Book Street. The collection was republished by Kim Dong Publishing House just a few months after its first edition. How do you feel about this?

Poet Truong Anh Tu signs and give books to readers at the introduction of the poetry collection “White Clouds, Mother’s Hair”

- I am delighted that my works have been well received by readers in Vietnam and that newspapers have invited me to collaborate, reflecting their enthusiasm. It is truly rewarding that so many of my poems have resonated with readers of all ages. I also believe that individuals across generations can discover meaning, joy, and messages in these poems, depending on their language skills and personal interpretations.

Poet Truong Anh Tu (born 1967 in Hanoi) currently lives and works in Germany. Many of his works have been published in Vietnam’s literary journals and forums. His poetry collections include “Emotions”, “The Flower Seasons You Talk About”, “Morning Flowers”, and “White Clouds, Mother's Hair”. He is one of the overseas Vietnamese authors whose works have been widely featured in the domestic press. Several of his poems have been used as teaching materials for Vietnamese language learners abroad and have been selected for inclusion in Vietnam’s general education textbooks.

“White Clouds, Mother’s Hair” is also the title poem of the collection. The poem not only expresses a deep, flesh-and-blood love for one's mother, but also offers a reflection on the Motherland. For me, poetry embodies both the mother of the flesh and the mother of the Fatherland. “White Clouds, Mother’s Hair” is considered a children's poem, yet it speaks to readers of all ages. In addition to writing for children, I also explore a wide range of other themes. Through literature and poetry, I have had the chance to connect with international friends. When my works are introduced at universities, it becomes an opportunity to present the culture, country, and homeland of Vietnam. That is a joy not easily found.

Thank you!

By: Vuong The

Translated by: Huyen Trang - Minho