The book title: Khoc Giua Sai Gon (Cry in Sai Gon). — File Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — Fashion critic and writer Trac Thuy Mieu, journalist Nguyen Hau and young author Nguyen Ngoc Thach will speak at a monthly panel discussion on literature in HCM City on Sunday.

Book Talk 5: Sai Gon, Sai Gon this month will be about the treatment of Sai Gon's soul in literature, how many people have achieved fame by writing about Sai Gon, and how Sai Gon impacts the life of immigrants and coaxes them to write about it much more than natives do.

"More and more works of literature in recent times have been about Sai Gon," a release from the organiser, Nha Nam Cultural and Communication JSC, says.

"They use Sai Gon as material as well as setting.

"They create a serene, nostalgic undercurrent about Sai Gon."

Mieu, real name Vu Hoai Phuong, is a leading fashion writer and currently writer, emcee, and judge for a number of newspapers, magazines, and television channels.

Hau, born in Hai Phong, moved to HCM City when he was 25 and is editor of Esquire magazine.

Thach has written many essays, short stories, and novels like Khoc Giua Sai Gon (Cry in Sai Gon), Lung Chung Co Don (Halfway to loneliness), Chenh Venh Hai Lam (Tottering 25-year-old).

Many of his works are set in HCM City.

The event will be held at Nha Nam Bookstore, 43 Ho Van Hue Street, Phu Nhuan District.

The four previous editions had a range of topics as diverse as "the benefits of literature" and "addicted to books, keen on films." — VNS