HÀ NỘI — A bilingual Vietnamese-English poetry book dedicating to the Vietnamese legendary General Võ Nguyên Giáp has been launched, offering a deeper understanding about one of the greatest military strategists of the 20th century.
Entitled Exhibition: In the Footsteps of the General, the book features 110 poems about the General and the victorious campaign Điện Biên Phủ in 1954 that he led. All the poems were composed by educator and poet Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Dung.
LEGEND: The bilingual Vietnamese-English poetry book offers a deeper understanding about one of the greatest military strategists of the 20th century. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu
Alongside the poetry, the book also includes hundreds of photos by the poet, and photographer Trần Hồng as well images by Vietnam News Agency journalists.
Through the emotional poetry, the image of an ordinary yet talented Commander-in-Chief Võ Nguyên Giáp, and the world-famous Điện Biên Phủ victory which contributed to the country’s liberation from French colonialism, have been depicted veritably.
The book launch is the follow-up to an exhibition of the same name held last December on the occasion of 110th birthday of the General. The exhibition then travelled to Điện Biên Province in March.
Its strong impressions on the public inspired poet Mỹ Dung to complete the book, so that the next generation, especially the international friends can better understand a historical figure and an outstanding military genius of the Vietnamese nation.
Educator and poet Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Dung gives the poetry book to Võ Điện Biên, son of General Võ Nguyên Giáp. — Photo courtesy of the poet
Like the exhibition, the book also has been consists of three main topics – Làm Nên Chiến Thắng Lịch Sử Điện Biên Phủ (Making the Điện Biên Phủ Historic Victory), Vị Tướng Trong Lòng Dân (The General in the Hearts of People), and Sáng Mãi Ngàn Năm (Bright for a Thousand Years).
Associate Professor, Dr. Bùi Minh Trí, a member of the Hà Nội Writers' Association, said that a distinctive feature of the book is that all the poems have been arranged scientifically and suitably according to each topic, which associates with historical milestones, the life and career of the General.
Poet Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Dung seen at the launch of the poetry book ‘Exhibition: In the Footsteps of the General’ in Hà Nội on August 23. — Photo courtesy of the poet
Born in 1939, educator and poet Mỹ Dung studied at the Vinh Pedagogical University, majoring literature. After graduation, she taught at the Hải Hậu High Schoolin Nam Định Province before moving to Hà Nội to work at other high schools. She was also a member of the personnel of the Ministry of Education and Training. A member of the Hà Nội Writers' Association and the Vietnamese Teachers' Poetry Club, she has published eight collections of poetry, five novels, and several other short stories. — VNS
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