Historical comic books fascinating young readers in Vietnam | Look At Vietnam

Historical comic books fascinating young readers in Vietnam

May 30, 2012

LookAtVietnam – Of late, more and more Vietnamese publishing houses are grabbing young readers market with their focus on historical topics via comics and cartoons, making it interesting, entertaining as well as educational for children.

Historical comic books are attracting more and more young readers in Vietnam. (Photo: SGGP)

Their focus on historical topics as theme has won them a bigger market share in Vietnam than their foreign counterparts.
Consider one of Vietnam’s most flourishing private publishers of children’s books, the Phan Thi Educational Media and Entertainment Company, which has brought out a successful series like ‘Than Dong Dat Viet’ (Vietnamese Prodigy), ‘Ngay Xua Ngay Xua’ (Once upon a time), ‘Truyen Hay Su Viet’ (Interesting stories from Vietnamese history), and ‘Danh Tac Viet Nam’ (Vietnam’s masterpieces).

This summer, the company will release more comic books in the series ‘Danh Tac Viet Nam’, which will include ‘Chiec Luoc Nga’ (The Ivory Comb), ‘Chi Pheo’, ‘Chi Dau’, and ‘Giong To’ (The Storm). These will aid young students to understand more thoroughly the original masterpieces in their academic year.
Kim Dong Publisher, a leader in children’s books for 55 years, will have the most number of historical titles this summer. They are planning to reprint their most popular historical books such as ‘Dao Hoang’ (Desert Island), ‘Nha Chu’ (Chu Dynasty), and ‘Chuyen No Than’ (Story of the Magical Bow) by To Hoai; ‘Tren Song Truyen Hich’ (Transmitting Orders on the River), ‘Ben Bo Thien Mac’ (On the Thien Mac River), and ‘Trang Nuoc Chuong Duong’ (Chuong Duong River on a Full Moon Night) by Ha An; ‘La Co Theu Sau Chu Vang’ (Flag with 6 Gold Letters) by Nguyen Huy Tuong; ‘Sao Khue Lap Lanh’ (Twinkling Morning Star) by Nguyen Duc Hien; ‘Sung Ruou The’ (Wine of Oath in a Horn) by Nghiem Da Van.
During the summer, Kim Dong Publisher will also introduce new historical comic titles in two series ‘Bac Ho Song Mai’ (Uncle Ho forever) and ‘Cac Vi Vua Hien’ (Benevolent Kings).
Historical and cultural topics have gradually become favourite choices of not only parents but also children. Comments on the website www.webtretho.com, a popular forum for parents in Vietnam, shows a frustration in adults in selecting suitable books for their children, since they are not sure which titles have violent or sexual content.
Therefore, books about history and culture are always warmly welcomed, as they are both entertaining as well as educational.
Moreover, with a careful investment in their illustrations and content, publishers are now able to attract more young readers to buy historical comics. With books that need more accuracy such as ‘Cac Vi Vua Hien’, they refer to the well-known ‘Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu’ (Complete History of Vietnam) published in 1998 by Social Sciences Publishing House. Meanwhile, other books that can be adapted for young readers are written by authors themselves.
Nguyen Quang Sang, author of ‘Chiec Luoc Nga’, commented that the comic version of his work had many new details, yet he did not distort the real message he needed to convey. On the contrary, his interpretation was far livelier and clearer, which would leave a strong impression on readers.
The publishing of more historical titles these days has contributed a great deal to filling the knowledge gap in young students in both the fields of history and literature, normally considered boring subjects at school.
VietNamNet/SGGP

37 years after liberation Southern Vietnam

Southern Vietnam 37 years after liberation

VietNamNet Bridge – Two photo exhibitions are organized at the same time in HCM City to celebrate the 37th liberation anniversary.

The exhibition at Chi Lang Park and Dong Khoi Road introduces 180 photos of the present development of HCM City and southern provinces.

Meanwhile, the exhibition at Lam Son Park displays 220 photos of HCM City’s achievements in all fields.

Besides photos of the current HCM City, both exhibitions introduce photos featuring an old Saigon and historical pictures.

Hereafter are some photos at the two exhibitions:



Rach Mieu Bridge, which connects Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces.





Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.





Happiness of good harvest.






Bay Nui bull race in An Giang.






A supermarket in HCM City.






The countryside.






Foreign visitors taste specialties of southwestern Vietnam.





Harvesting basa catfish for export.






HCM City takes the lead in sci-tech. The city has created many varieties
of trees with high economic values.






Pilot Nguyen Thanh Trung in the arms of his teammates after using a plane of the Saigon
army to attack Nha Be fuel dump and the Independence Palace on April 8, 1975.





An American airplane shot down by Hanoi people during the Dien Bien Phu
on the air campaign in December 1972.






Saigon voluntary youth.






Liberation troops attacked the Saigon Radio on the first day of lunar year 1968.






Tanks and troops liberated Xuan Loc in April 1975.





Liberation troops attacked Buon Ma Thuot on March 10 1975.











Liberation troops entered Bac Lieu town.






HCM City’s people welcomed the first Hanoi-Saigon train in 1976.