The cover of Hà Nội Băm Sáu Phố Phường (Hà Nội’s 36 Old streets), a 124-page book about Hà Nội's culture and lifestyle by talented writer Thạch Lam, has been republished by Kim Đồng Publishing House to serve high school students. — Photo from the publisher’s website

HCM CITY — The Kim Đồng Publishing House has released a series of six books by Vietnamese writers to serve high school students as part of the publisher’s efforts to encourage reading among youth. 

Four of the books are written by Thạch Lam, Vũ Trọng Phụng and  Nam Cao, who were famous in the 1930s and 1940s.

The other books are by female poet Hồ Xuân Hương of the 18th century and the great poet Nguyễn Du, famous for the work Truyện Kiều (Tale of Kiêu), an epic poem of 3,254 verses recognised as the most significant work of Vietnamese literature.

Kim Đồng will also republish books by well-known writers living in different periods, such as poets Hàn Mạc Tử and Nguyễn Bính, and authors Nguyễn Tuân and Tô Hoài in the 20th century.      

“We will provide more Vietnamese titles for high school students this year,” a Kim Đồng official said. 

Kim Đồng, the country’s leading publisher for children's books, has also signed contracts with well-known authors, including young writers, to create books for teenagers.

Its website, www.nxbkimdong.com.vn, has introduced 12 new Vietnamese children’s books in literature, history and the arts. 

Featured books include Điện Biên Phủ Của Chúng Em (Our Điện Biên Phủ), Bác Hồ Sống Mãi (President Hồ Lives Forever) and Tuổi Dấu Yêu (Teenage) by veteran and young authors of the Việt Nam Writers Association.  

Many young readers have written comments about these books on the publisher’s online forum.

Other publishers have also been involved in the market. The HCM City Culture and Arts Publishing House has issued a series of books written by Từ Kế Tường, Nguyễn Nhật Ánh and Đinh Tiến Luyện, who were famous in the 1980s and 1990s, to attract young readers.

These books were published in magazines for secondary school students, Tuổi Ngọc (Teen Age) and Hoa Học Trò (Flowers of Students), between 1998 and 2008.

Phương Nam Book, a private publishing house in HCM City, has signed an exclusive contract to publish several books by Đoàn Thạch Biền, some of them released before 1975. All of these books tell stories about girls and boys at high school.

“Writers and printers should work together to increase the number of books for teenagers on the market,” said writer Từ Kế Tường. — VNS