Writers from Hanoi National University

According to the internal documents of the 9th Congress of the Vietnam Writers Association in 2015, the total number of members was 1,014, of which 138 members were staff and students of Hanoi University of Science (now Hanoi National University). The title "General Writer", coined by the author of this article, has always been a source of pride for many generations of teachers and students of Hanoi University of Science for their contribution to the country's modern literature, a team of writers with great passion for their profession and many creative achievements. We would also like to inform you in advance that in this article we cannot list all the names, professions and works of the 138 "General Writers", those mentioned in a specific field or aspect, and are only used as a necessary proof to emphasize and highlight the quality of "General Literature".

A 60-year traditional journey of growth Hanoi University of Science (now Hanoi National University) has been recognized in many aspects of training, scientific research, cultural and artistic activities, literary creation, serving social life from the time of war to defend the Fatherland through the time of peace to rebuild the country. Writing is a special labor serving society. Among 1,014 modern Vietnamese writers, Hanoi University of Science has contributed to the common team a force that can be said to be not small - 138 members (with the distribution of forces in the fields of creation as follows: the most powerful poetry with 66, prose and drama 36, ​​research - theory - criticism - translation 36). Hanoi General Writers are present in many fields and work units: Armed Forces (Army and Police), press - media, publishing, teaching and research at universities, research institutes, cultural - artistic activities, cultural - artistic management, etc.

Very few countries like Vietnam have such distinctive names as "Military Literature" or "Public Security Literature" in the common literary source of the nation in modern times. In the People's Public Security force, we know writers Ngon Vinh (former Editor-in-Chief of the People's Public Security Newspaper), Le Hoai Nguyen (A 25, Ministry of Public Security), Thu Trang (People's Public Security Publishing House), Nguyen Hong Thai (Director - Editor-in-Chief of the People's Public Security Publishing House), Nguyen Dang An (General Department V, Ministry of Public Security), Hoang Hue Thu (former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Public Security Publishing House). In the Army, we know Nguyen Bao (former Editor-in-Chief of the Army Literature Magazine) and his colleagues - writers who have worn and are wearing military uniforms - such as Dinh Xuan Dung, Vuong Trong, Le Thanh Nghi, Anh Ngoc, Vu Thi Hong, Le Tan Hien, Suong Nguyet Minh, Pham Ngoc Tien, Vu Minh Nguyet,... The school block, literary research institutes and cultural agencies of the Party have 34 writers, including 12 professors (Dang Thai Mai, Truong Tuu, Hoang Xuan Nhi, Le Dinh Ky, Ha Minh Duc, Phan Cu De, Phung Van Tuu, Phong Le, Nguyen Hue Chi, Mai Quoc Lien, Ma Giang Lan, Dinh Xuan Dung). Among the 13 deceased Hanoi Synthesis writers (Dang Thai Mai, Truong Tuu, Hoang Xuan Nhi, Le Dinh Ky, Phan Cu De, Phan Tu, Chu Cam Phong, Cao Xuan Hao, Diep Minh Tuyen, Lu Huy Nguyen, Nguyen Trong Dinh, Nguyen Trung Thu, Le Anh Xuan), there are two writers - martyrs: Le Anh Xuan (1940-1968), posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (2011) and the State Prize for Literature and Arts (2001); Chu Cam Phong (1941-1971), posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (2010), the State Prize for Literature and Arts (2001). Three writers from Hanoi were awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts: Dang Thai Mai, Phan Tu (aka Le Kham), Ha Minh Duc, eight writers were awarded the State Prize for Literature and Arts, and for Science and Technology (Le Dinh Ky, Phan Cu De, Phung Van Tuu, Dinh Hai, Chu Cam Phong, Phong Le, Le Anh Xuan, Le Thanh Nghi).

Among the writers of Hanoi General Association, there are well-known "writing couples" such as Phong Le (Professor, former Director of the Institute of Literature) - Van Thanh (Associate Professor, working at the Institute of Literature), Bui Minh Quoc (aka Duong Huong Ly, former student of the Faculty of Literature) - Duong Thi Xuan Quy (1941-1969, State Prize for Literature and Arts, 2007), Le Quang Trang - Tran Thi Thang (husband and wife are both former students of the Faculty of Literature), Vu Thi Hong (former student of the Faculty of Literature) - Chu Lai, Nguyen Thi Hong (former student of the Faculty of Literature) - Hoang Quoc Hai, Be Kien Quoc (1949-2002, former student of the Faculty of Literature) - Do Bach Mai, Ha Phuong (former student of the Faculty of Literature) - Nguyen Manh Tuan, Suong Nguyet Minh - Vu Minh Nguyet (both are members of the Vietnam Writers Association, both are former students of the Faculty of Literature). There are also writer-journalist couples such as Nguyen Hong Thai - Tran Thu Hang (one is a member of the Vietnam Writers Association, both are former students of the Faculty of Literature), Nguyen Si Dai - Tran Kim Hoa (one is a former student of the Faculty of Literature),...

Many writers from Hanoi have participated in the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Writers Association, such as Phan Cu De (1933-2007), Ha Minh Duc, Le Quang Trang, Phan Trong Thuong, and Nguyen Thi Thu Hue. Four writers from Hanoi have held the position of Director of the Institute of Literature (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), namely Dang Thai Mai, Phong Le, Ha Minh Duc, and Phan Trong Thuong.

There is a writer from Hanoi like teacher Nguyen Ngoc Ky who is an example of training, striving and overcoming fate. He was paralyzed in both arms since he was four years old, at seven years old he followed his friends to class and practiced writing with his feet. When he was in high school, he was good at both math and literature, but later he fell in love with literature more so he took the entrance exam to the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University. In 1970, he graduated, returned to his hometown Nam Dinh to teach, and since 1994 he moved to live and work in Ho Chi Minh City. The autobiographies "Unforgettable Years", "I Go to School", "I Go to University" have conquered many generations of readers, especially high school students, before an example of life force and love for literature and the teaching profession. An example of the will to rise up and master one's fate.

Many writers from Hanoi General Synthesis used to be (or are) editors-in-chief of newspapers, magazines or editors-in-chief, directors of publishing houses such as Ha Minh Duc (former editor-in-chief of Literature Magazine), Bui Hong (former editor-in-chief of Kim Dong Publishing House), Ngo Van Phu (former director and editor-in-chief of the Writers' Association Publishing House), Ngon Vinh (former editor-in-chief of the People's Police Newspaper), Lu Huy Nguyen (former director of the Literature Publishing House), Ngo Thao (former editor-in-chief of Stage Magazine), Bui Cong Hung (former editor-in-chief of Homeland Magazine of the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Nguyen Bao (former editor-in-chief of the Army Literature Magazine), Nguyen Van Luu (former director of the Literature Publishing House), Le Thai Son (former editor-in-chief of Song Lam Magazine, Nghe An Literature and Arts Association), Duong Ky Anh (former editor-in-chief of Tien Phong Newspaper), Tu Nguyen Tinh (former editor-in-chief of Xu Thanh Magazine, Thanh Hoa Literature and Arts Association), Duong Trong Dat (former editor-in-chief of Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper), Le Quang Trang (former editor-in-chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper), Mai Quoc Lien (Editor-in-Chief of Hon Viet Magazine, Vietnam Writers Association), Phan Trong Thuong (former Editor-in-Chief of Literary Research Magazine), Bui Si Hoa (former Editor-in-Chief of Vietnamnet Electronic Newspaper), Nguyen Ngoc Thien (Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Literature and Arts Forum Magazine), Vo Thi Xuan Ha (former Editor-in-Chief of Writers Magazine, Vietnam Writers Association)...

Poetry can be considered the field in which Hanoi Synthesis writers have made the most significant contributions - 66 poets is a "telling number". There was a generation of poets who matured in the early 60s of the 20th century such as Ngo Van Phu, Dinh Hai, Bui Minh Quoc, Diep Mimh Tuyen, Dang Hien... There was a generation of anti-American poets with prominent names in the literary world such as Le Anh Xuan, Vuong Trong, Dang Han, Nguyen Trung Thu, Ngo The Oanh, Tran Nhat Lam, Vu Duy Thong, Nguyen Trong Dinh, Thanh Thao, Nguyen Duy, Anh Ngoc, Vu An Thi, Pham Dinh An, Be Kien Quoc, Pham Quoc Ca, Hoang Nhuan Cam, Lam Huy Nhuan, Mai Quynh Nam,... There were poets who emerged in peacetime such as Le Thai Son, Khuat Binh Nguyen, Do Minh Tuan, Vinh Quang Le, Nguyen Si Dai, Dang Huy Giang, Tu Ngan Pho, Luong Dinh, Bui Sy Hoa, Vu Toan,... There were very young poets of the 8x generation such as Nguyen Quang Hung,... Especially there was a "roof" of female poets from Le Thu to the woman who "weaves poetry" Y Nhi, to other memorable names such as Ha Phuong, Tran Thi Thang, Hoang Kim Dung, Doan Ngoc Thu, Le Minh Hoai, Tuyet Nga, Phan Huyen Thu, Bui Sim Sim, Truong Thi Kim Dung... Poetry by Dinh Hai, Ngo Van Phu, Dang Hien, Thanh Thao, Nguyen Duy, Pham Dinh An were selected to be included in the general literature textbooks (primary, secondary and high school). In particular, Nguyen Duy is a person with the ability to "play poetry", "sell poetry" and "export poetry". The number of 66 poets of Hanoi University of Science with many successive generations has made worthy contributions to the development of modern Vietnamese poetry. At Hanoi University of Science, there is a phenomenon of "young poet" - Professor Ha Minh Duc, who did not publish his first poetry collection until 1999, when he was 64 years old, and by 2015, he had 7 poetry collections. At Hanoi University of Science, there is a type of “one-poem poet”, that is Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh (85 years old this year), he is not a member of the Vietnam Writers Association but his work was selected for the “Anthology of Vietnamese Poetry 1945 - 1960” with a poem with a unique and profound verse “Peach blossoms have not yet returned to the factory but spring has come”. At Hanoi University of Science, there is “folk poet” Nguyen Hung Vi, although he is not a member of the Vietnam Writers Association but has many good poems published in newspapers, magazines and literary books. Many other poets are well-known, respected and regularly interact professionally in the poetry clubs that he participates in. At Hanoi University of Science, there is Professor Ma Giang Lan, who teaches, writes research and writes poetry (he is the author of many poetry collections, especially the poem “Ham Rong Bridge Pillar” which won the Literature and Arts Newspaper’s poetry award in 1969 - 1970 and is quite famous and widely circulated in the poetry community). In 2013, he received the Vietnam Writers Association Award for his poem “Waves of Language”. There is a poet living far away from home, Nguyen Huy Hoang, who has lived in the Russian Federation for 25 years, and is the author of 7 poetry collections filled with the feelings of a person who loves his homeland and country. His poetry is imbued with the soul of the Vietnamese countryside, especially the soul of Nghe An.

In the field of prose and drama, the Hanoi General Writers have also been evaluated as a quite powerful team with 36 writers from many generations: That is the class of writers coming out of the resistance war against the French such as Phan Tu (aka Le Kham, 1930 - 1995), Doan Minh Tuan, Xuan Trinh, Nguyen Gia Nung... Belonging to the next generation, there is a writer Ngon Vinh who specializes in writing about "hot topics" in the police force, and there is also a Hong Due who has the talent to write about everyday life. The team of "writers in military uniform" writing prose at Hanoi General University is very powerful - that is Nguyen Bao, Minh Chuyen, Trinh Dinh Khoi, Tu Nguyen Tinh, Nguyen Trong Tan, Vu Thi Hong, Nguyen The Tuong, Le Tan Hien, Pham Ngoc Tien, Suong Nguyet Minh, ... They went straight from war to literature. That is the prose writer Chu Cam Phong (1941 - 1971) who sacrificed himself on the battlefield in the South. The prose writing force of the generations is truly powerful, from Bui Hong (born in 1931), Nguyen Gia Nung, Hoang Lai Giang, Nguyen Hieu, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hai, Pham Viet Long to Nguyen Dang An, Trieu Xuan, Xuan Ba, Thu Trang, Nguyen Cam Huong, Y Ban, Vo Thi Xuan Ha, Vo Thi Hao, Hoang Hue Thu, Huu Dat, Nguyen Thi Thu Hue, Le Thanh Nga, Nguyen Phuong Lien, Vu Minh Nguyet,... There are a number of prose writers who are considered to have internal strength, and have recently become members of the Vietnam Writers Association, most recently Nguyen Hong Thai (born in 1960, joined the Writers Association in 2006), Nguyen Phuong Lien (born in 1972, joined the Writers Association in 2010), Nguyen Dang An (born in 1951, joined the Writers Association in 2013), Vu Minh Nguyet (born in 1965, joined the Writers Association in 2014). The oldest and youngest in the prose writing force are more than 40 years apart (an example - Phan Tu was born in 1930, Nguyen Phuong Lien was born in 1972). We call this generational succession, figuratively speaking, “old bamboo shoots grow”.

The number of writers from Hanoi University who wrote research - theory - criticism and translations is impressive at 36, followed by respected names from the senior generation such as Dang Thai Mai, Truong Tuu, Hoang Xuan Nhi, Le Dinh Ky, Cao Xuan Hao, Phan Cu De, ... to extremely dynamic people who are living with contemporary literature such as Phung Van Tuu, Hue Chi, Ha Minh Duc, Phong Le, Mai Quoc Lien, Ma Giang Lan, Ngo Thao, Lai Nguyen An, Vu Tuan Anh, Le Thanh Nghi, Le Quang Trang, Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Tran Bao Hung, Nguyen Van Luu, Ton Phuong Lan, Bui Viet Thang, Phan Trong Thuong, Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, Bich Thu, Ly Hoai Thu, Nguyen Huu Son, Trinh Ba Dinh, Luu Khanh Tho, Ta Hoang Phuong, Ha Minh Thanh, ... There are people who research classical Vietnamese literature such as Nguyen Hue Chi or foreign literature such as Phung Van Tuu, their work seems very far from modern Vietnamese literature. They quietly do the work of "reviewing the past to know the present" and "learning from others to improve themselves" according to the ancients' motto of conduct. There is a famous writer - translator like Cao Xuan Hao, who with all his heart and talent has brought to Vietnamese readers the masterpieces of Russian literature with cultural qualities very close to ours. Associate Professor, Dr. Ta Hoang Phuong is one of the leading geography experts, but his love for literature has encouraged him to become a prestigious translator of Russian literature today. The collection of translated poems selected from love poems by the talented Russian poet X. Esenin is considered the best translation to date. Among the force doing research - theory - criticism and translation of literature, readers pay special attention to the names of some female writers who have "brands" in the literary world such as Mai Huong, Ton Phuong Lan, Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, Bich Thu, Ly Hoai Thu, Luu Khanh Tho, Thanh Duc Trinh Bao, Ha Minh Thanh. These ladies are truly women who are “good at housework and literature” and not in every era there are such female faces. If Mai Huong is careful and comprehensive, Nguyen Thi Minh Thai is sharp and dynamic, if Ton Phuong Lan has a “hidden charm” in criticism, Luu Khanh Tho is active with the qualities of a regular writer, if Bich Thu is profound and confident, Ly Hoai Thu has unexpected breakthroughs. It is true that “each person has their own style, ten out of ten”. There is Thanh Duc Trinh Bao (currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Van Nghe Newspaper) who translates modern Chinese literature, her translated works show a maximum effort to conquer an increasingly demanding and sometimes quite capricious readership. Translator Ha Minh Thanh translates literary works from Korean into Vietnamese quite fluently.

Speaking of writers at Hanoi University, except for those who are members of the Vietnam Writers Association, I would like to mention a special phenomenon - Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Long. He has held many positions: Head of the Faculty of Literature, Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vice President of Hanoi National University, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 2013, when he was no longer old enough to participate in management, he returned to the Faculty of Literature after more than 20 years of leaving his "home" - as those who suffer from "the disease of loving the faculty, loving the school" say. While sitting in the chair of the Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, he wrote cai luong, drama, and cheo. In 2014, he released a collection of literary scripts (including 7 plays), titleddebt to the country(Hanoi National University Publishing House). Some of the plays in this collection have been staged and performed on the Capital stage. It is very strange that within just 2 years (2015 and 2016), he consecutively completed the manuscripts of 3 novels:Tornado, Old FriendsandLost in the human world. Many people close to him who were asked to read the manuscript commented that Pham Quang Long has the potential to write prose. He is currently working on his fourth prose work titledChessI think the door to the Vietnam Writers Association will be wide open if you write an application expressing your desire to join the Association.

The “departure” of the writers of Hanoi University, as some people liken it, is a demonstration of force on the cultural and artistic front in modern times. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the tradition of Hanoi University and the Faculty of Literature (1956-2016), our short article is like a word of gratitude to the old Hanoi University (now Hanoi National University) as the place where scientific and literary talents take off./.