HCM CITY (VNS)  — Nguyen Tri wrote his first book at 80 but has hit pay dirt, winning the annual prize for best book in literary fiction from the Viet Nam Writers Association.

His short story collection Bai Vang, Da Quy, Tram Huong (Gold-bearing area, gems, aloe wood) is about the life of illegal miners who dig for gold and gems.

Through them, he talks about people's sufferings to earn a living.

It was published by the Tre (Youth) Publishing House and garnered wide acclaim.

He shared the award with veteran author Ma Van Khang, whose Phut Giay Huyen Dieu (Miracle Minutes) is a collection of critical works and essays printed by the Writers Association Publishing House.

The award for poetry was won by another stalwart, Ma Giang Lan.

Nguyen Van Thai was honoured for his translation of Polish author Wladyslaw St. Reymont's The Peasant. — VNS