Bottlenecks that make young writers struggle
In the literary "forest" after 1975, there are "rectors" who have laid the foundation for a new writing style, creating excitement in receiving such as: Nguyen Huy Thiep, Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Nguyen Binh Phuong, Phan Huyen Thu, Do Hoang Dieu, Do Tien Thuy, Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Tran Dan, Mai Van Phan, Nguyen Quang Thieu, Truong Dang Dung... Meanwhile, young writers have a relatively different literary background: There are not many memories of war, the generation welcomes global cultural flows, new art trends. With their sensitivity, pens such as: Hien Trang, Le Quang Trang, Cao Viet Quynh, Minh Anh... appeared to create a fresh and diverse literary picture.
However, in the face of the " cool breeze" of the previous generation, young writers cannot avoid fears, fear of speaking the truth, fear of censorship, and the inferiority complex of fearing that they have nothing to write for?
Over the past 50 years, Vietnamese literature has had many resounding works, but still lacks turning points to overcome the worn thinking path. Some works are honored but the ideology and handwriting are still old. Today's literature still faces many limitations: Few magazines dare to publish experimental works; difficulties in publishing and publishing by new authors; weak literary communication; un obsessional criticism; even competition from AI, causing the real and fake boundaries to be erased, requiring writers to maintain professional ethics.
Solutions to pave the way for young writers to move forward
To develop literature, it is necessary to respect diversity, encourage new ways of writing and create more space for young authors such as supporting publishing, expanding translation activities, increasing regional and international exchanges, organizing multilingual literary playgrounds, performances - exhibitions and especially building a serious, non-respectful critique.
And what literature needs most is the honesty of each individual. As the writer delves deeper, literature will be more diverse, from the whispering of laughter, philosophical reflection to social forecasting.
Sharing in the seminar "50 years of Vietnamese Literature since 1975: the perspective of young writers" held in Hanoi on November 15, young writer Le Quang Trang (born in 1996) commented that Vietnamese literature is not yet known to the world as worthy of its stature, the reason lies not in the writer, but in the work of promotion, communication and national cultural strategy.
Looking to Korea, they have the Nobel Prize, not only because they have an excellent work, but because they have a whole system of support, a long-term strategy, a national policy on promoting literature and culture. As for us - sometimes we write a good work, but it can only live within its own limits. I am proud of my country's literary tradition, but I also feel the responsibility of today's young generation: We cannot just continue, but must renew, make strong, make different - let Vietnamese literature step out into the world with its own voice, identity and Vietnamese soul" - Le Quang Trang commented.
