Vietnamese writer Bui Ngoc Tan won the grand prize at the French literature festival Livre & Mer (Book & Sea) in April for his novel Bien va Chim Boi Ca (The Sea and the Kingfisher). The book was translated into French by Ha Tay.

The festival Livre & Mer was launched in 1985 by Henri Queffelec (1910-92), considered one of the best maritime novelists of the 20th century. Tan's win marked the first time the prize has been awarded to a writer living outside Europe.

Culture Vulture sat down with Tan to discuss his novel and the prize.

Were you surprised when you heard you had won the prize?

Yes, I was very surprised. I didn't even know about the festival and hadn't submitted my novel to the competition. The book's translator Ha Tay was also surprised.

We learned that when the novel was published in October 2011, it was welcomed warmly by French readers and that's why it was selected for the festival.

I am very proud of the result. The five other books in the final round were written by professionals from Canada, Belgium and France – some of them are very well-known. It is the first time the prize went out of Europe.

Could you tell us about the theme of the book?

The book documents the life of Vietnamese fishermen working for a State-owned enterprise, where life is a constant struggle to make ends meet.

Their lives evolve as the country and their enterprise pass through the transitional period from the subsidised economy to the market economy. Everything changed, including the ideas, production organisation, contact between people and people, and contact between people and the sea. The book is also a song chanting the passion for the work of those fishermen.

I myself lived as part of a State-owned fishing enterprise for 20 years, so I understand the feelings of those men.

This novel is my fifth book, but it is the only one that was published without difficulty. It had been read on the Radio the Voice of Viet Nam.

Why do you think your book appealed so much to foreign audiences?

While reading the book, they have an occasion to visit Viet Nam and the beaches of our country. They will then live with "a community of smart and brave fishermen who have always struggled to feed their family before they have to face globalisation", as the jury said.

Francois Bourgeon, the festival's honorary president and the head juror, said on the festival's website that my book satisfied everyone in the jury. "With his beautiful poetic prose, Bui Ngoc Tan brings us to where we have never been, and when we close the book, we are changed and for the best."

Do you often write about the sea?

The sea for me is like a destiny. In 1959 when I was living and working in Ha Noi, I decided to move to Hai Phong City to be able to live near the sea and write about the sea. The sea always attracts me and makes me feel better. I believe that people are less selfish when they face the sea. I have written six novels about the sea and a film script about a distant island.

At the age of 79, do you still write? And why did you chose the career of a writer?

Yes, I keep writing. At my age, I accept all mishaps that can come at any moment. But since I am still alive, I still want to work.

I began writing for periodicals and newspapers at the age of 20.

I chose this job because I could live honestly without having to sweet-talk with a boss in order to get a promotion. I don't have to be afraid of displeasing my superiors and then of abandoning my values. Writing books is to live with my real talent and with what I have. — VNS