ABSORBING NOVEL - Biến Thể Của Cô Đơn (Variants of Loneliness) is a new novel written by Yang Phan of HCM City, winner of the the Literature for 20s writing contest in 2022. Photo courtesy of the publisher

HCM CITY – Dozens of new books by Vietnamese young writers have been released this month as part of the Tháng 3 Sách Trẻ (Book for Youth Month) programme.

The programme is annually launched by the Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House to introduce quality books by Vietnamese and international authors to readers, especially works by young writers.

The highlight is a science fiction novel titled Biến Thể Của Cô Đơn (Variants of Loneliness) written by Yang Phan of HCM City.

The book depicts the loneliness of people living in the digital age. They just talk to AI or robots, forgetting how to connect with other people and themselves.

Yang Phan, 30, whose real name is Phạm Anh Tuấn, won the highest prize at the Literature for 20s writing contest in 2022 with a novel titled Vụn Ký Ức (Crumbs of Memory).

The contest is among the country’s most prestigious writing competitions for young authors, initiated by the HCM City Writers’ Association and the Trẻ Publishing House in 1994.

He has released several books such as Đánh Đổi (Exchange), Bẫy (Trap), and Ngày Buồn Sẽ Tạm Biệt Ta Mà Đi (Farewell to Sadness).

A new short story collection by young writer Võ Đăng Khoa of An Giang Province is featured as well.

The book titled Lạc Đà Bay (Flying Camal) consists of 10 stories, and portrays different people and what they suffered from life.

Khoa, 23, wrote his short story when he was 16. He has received many top prizes at writing contests launched by the HCM City Văn Nghệ (Literature and Arts) Magazine, and the Văn Hoá - Văn Nghệ (Culture - Literature and Arts Publishing House).

The programme also introduces two novels, Bể Trăng Côi (Lonely Moon) and Nơi Không Có Tuyết (A Place Has No Snow) by Huỳnh Trọng Khang, and Hai Người Trong Một Ngăn Tủ (Two People in A Drawer) and Dị Bản (Variant) by Nguyễn Đinh Khoa.

The publisher will host a talk show with five young writers and introduce their new books at the HCM City Book Street in District 1 on March 31.

As part of the programme, the publisher released over 100 reprinted editions of famous local and foreign writers, offering a 20 per cent discount on all its published titles at bookstores nationwide. VNS