Dong Nai’s writers and poets leave their mark on literary scene

With 21 members and more than 50 published books and other literary and artistic works, the Dong Nai chapter of the Vietnam Writers’ Association (VWA) has helped strengthen the local literary scene and bring a distinctive regional voice to Vietnamese literature.

The Dong Nai provincial VWA chapter (now the Dong Nai municipal VWA chapter), consolidated its organisation and outlined its work programme in January 2026.

Driven by their passion for literature, local writers and poets continue to draw inspiration from Dong Nai’s people and landscapes. Their works enrich the cultural life of the community while helping the city preserve its distinctive identity as it integrates and develops.

Literary achievements

Established in October 2022 with 26 members, the Dong Nai provincial VWA chapter (now the Dong Nai municipal VWA chapter) initially brought together writers and poets from the former provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh. Following the introduction of the two-tier local government model, the chapter was reorganised to cover the new Dong Nai administrative area. It continues to foster literary creation and exchanges among members working in poetry, prose, literary research, theory and criticism.

Poet Dam Chu Van, Head of the chapter, said members had published more than 50 books and other literary and artistic works in recent years. Many works had attracted readers and won literary and artistic awards at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Among the most prolific was the late writer Khoi Vu, whose pen name was Nguyen Thai Hai. He published more than 10 books in the two years before his death in April 2026. Writers Nguyen Tri and Dao Sy Quang have each published five volumes of short stories and novels.

Poets including Dam Chu Van, Do Minh Duong, Tran Ngoc Tuan, Nguyen Duc Phuoc, Duong Duc Khanh, Tran Thi Bao Thu, Le Thanh Xuan, Le Sy Tung and Le Dang Khang continue to publish new works exploring human experiences and the complexities of life through their own perspectives. Children’s literature is also a focus for many chapter members. The novel Hai au di tim cha (The Seagull’s search for its father) by Tran Thu Hang was named one of the 10 outstanding books in 2024 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Meanwhile, Chuyen la nha Oc (Strange stories from the snail family) by Hoang Ngoc Diep received a C-category prize at the 2025 Dong Nai Literary and Artistic Awards.

Alongside creative writing, members are active in literary research, theory and criticism. Critic Bui Cong Thuan, poet Nguyen Thanh Tuan and writer Bui Thi Bien Linh, among others, have published monographs, research papers and critical essays that examine the merits of literary works, assess the development of local literature and document the contributions of successive generations of writers. Other authors are working on manuscripts, while new works continue to appear in newspapers and specialist journals, further enriching Dong Nai’s literary landscape and bringing local literature to a wider readership.

The city chapter encourages members to explore new subjects and improve their work while partnering with organisations and local authorities to organise literary activities. These include a discussion titled “Remembering those who came before” marking the 10th anniversary of writer Hoang Van Bon’s death; programmes to bring literature into schools; events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bup tren canh writers’ group (1976–2026); and literary exchanges and field trips. “These activities give members opportunities to gain first-hand experience, gather material for their writing, enrich their emotional lives, develop their creativity and promote their work,” poet Dam Chu Van shared.

Expanding creative horizons

As Dong Nai’s cultural, historical and social landscape expand, greater demands are being placed on its writers and poets. Poet Dam Chu Van said the city’s broader creative space offered considerable potential, but also challenged writers to renew their perspectives, engage more deeply with everyday life and raise the content and artistic quality of their work. In doing so, they can make a more meaningful contribution to Vietnamese literature as a whole.

The first congress of the Dong Nai City VWA chapter for the 2026–2031 term was held at the Dong Nai Association of Literature and Arts on the morning of October 13. The congress reviewed the chapter’s performance and set priorities for the new term, focusing on strengthening ties among members, improving the quality of literary works and expanding their reach among readers.

For the 2026–2031 term, the chapter aims to support the city’s development by revitalising its regular meetings and activities, mobilising funding and support for literary field trips and thematic discussions, and publishing high-quality works. It also plans to make greater use of digital platforms for professional exchanges and to promote members’ writing to a wider audience.

Identifying and nurturing young talent is another priority. The chapter aims to provide promising young authors with opportunities to showcase their work and be considered for VWA membership. Among them are Hanh Van, Le Nguyet Minh, Hong Nhan, Nguyen Tham, Ly Thang Long and Ngo Huong. The chapter will also continue to support the Bup tren canh Dong Nai writers’ group as its members develop and publish new work, sustaining a literary initiative that dates back to 1976.

Writer Bui Thi Bien Linh said that giving young people, especially students with a talent for literature, opportunities to experience life first-hand would help them develop their emotional awareness, broaden their horizons and nurture their creativity. She said such opportunities were essential to cultivating the next generation of writers in Dong Nai.

By drawing inspiration from everyday life, nurturing young talent and encouraging creative exploration, Dong Nai’s writers and poets can continue to produce works that capture the character of the region and its people. Their efforts will help enrich local cultural life and strengthen Dong Nai’s contribution to Vietnamese literature.

By M. Ny - Translated by D.Quyen, Thu Ha