HISTORY COMICS: The first book, titled Noãn (Stamen), from the comic collection Vạn Nhân Ký (Stories of History) on Vietnamese history during the Trịnh and Nguyễn dynasties has been released by the Thanh Niên (Young People) Publishing House in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the publisher.
HCM CITY — A comic series on Vietnamese history during the Trịnh and Nguyễn dynasties have been released by the Thanh Niên (Young People) Publishing House.
The series is called Vạn Nhân Ký (Stories of History) and is written by Nguyễn Linh and Nguyễn Thạnh.
The first book, titled Noãn (Stamen), is in bookstores in HCM City from April 7.
The work portrays the life of Lý Phúc Anh, a male member from the royal family who lives under the Tây Sơn Dynasty in the 18th century.
It features stories about Vietnamese history during the Tây Sơn Dynasty ruled by the Tây Sơn brothers, including Nguyễn Huệ - later the emperor Quang Trung, Nhuyễn Nhạc and Nguyễn Lữ.
The Tây Sơn Dynasty was founded in the wake of a rebellion against both the Nguyễn lords and Trịnh lords in the South and North. The Tây Sơn ended the century-long war between the Trịnh and Nguyễn families.
The series Vạn Nhân Ký includes seven books. The writers are working on the second book, called Thực (The Truth), which is scheduled to be released early next year.
“Vạn Nhân Ký highlights Vietnamese history and culture. We hope young readers will become excited about their country’s history and traditions,” said writer-painter Thạch.
Thạch said there was a shortage of new books and comics on Việt Nam’s history. Children prefer foreign comics about fighting, while teenagers enjoy romantic stories. History is not their favourite. “We wanted to play a role in changing this situation,” he said.
BEST SELLING - The history comic Lịch Sử Việt Nam by the Kim Đồng Publishing House has been reprinted and sold in many bookstores around the country, receiving a warm response from young readers. Photo courtesy of Kim Đồng Publishing House.
Thạch and Linh are among the group of writers and painters who created the best-selling comic collection titled Lịch Sử Việt Nam (The History of Việt Nam) released by Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House in 2022.
The collection includes 53 books on Vietnamese history from different periods. The works feature Vietnamese kings, generals, national heroes and scholars.
Leading publishing houses are working with young writers and painters to create comic books on Vietnamese history for children and youngsters.
Best-selling history comics include Lịch Sử Việt Nam and Lịch Sử Nước Ta (Our Country’s History) by the Kim Đồng Publishing House, which have been reprinted and sold in many bookstores around the country, receiving a warm response from young readers.
POPULAR WITH KIDS: History comics by young artists have been reprinted and sold in bookstores in HCM City, and received a warm response from young readers. VNS Photo by Thu Anh.
Another is Hiền Tài Nước Việt (Vietnamese Great Men) by veteran writer and reporter Lê Minh Quốc of HCM City.
The collection includes 10 books on Vietnamese kings, generals, national heroes and scholars such as General Trương Hán Siêu, revolutionary Cao Bá Quát, and scholars Mạc Đĩnh Chi and Lê Quý Đôn.
Hiền Tài Nước Việt is part of a long-term programme launched in 2019 by publishing houses Đông A and Dân Trí on history books for children and teenagers.
The programme attracts authors, cultural researchers and historians to compile stories from different sources to offer useful and entertaining books. — VNS
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