This is the first time Vietnamese publishers have officially launched a literature-focused initiative for the Chinese market, following the release of two Vietnamese cultural books in November 2024: "Vat qua nhung ngan may" (Across the Cloudy Peaks) by Do Quang Tuan Hoang and "Nguoi Ha Noi, chuyen an chuyen uong mot thoi" (Hanoians: A Culinary Memoir) by Vu The Long.

Under the project, Chi Cultural Joint Stock Company (Chibooks), representing Vietnam, joined publishers from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and others to sign an agreement with Lijiang Publishing House (Guangxi, China). Literary works from these countries will be selected and translated into Chinese for publication in China.

Translator Nguyen Le Chi, director of Chibooks, said, "We are honored and proud to contribute to bringing Vietnamese literature to the world after many years of effort. Following the signing of this project, we will select several Vietnamese literary works to translate into Chinese and distribute in China. This has been a long-cherished dream, not only for me personally but also for Chibooks and the broader publishing community."

On June 20, Nguyen Le Chi also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Guangxi Nationalities Publishing House to promote Vietnamese ethnic and cultural publications to Chinese readers.

In addition to publishing, Nguyen Le Chi has also brought Vietnamese authors to interact with Chinese readers. Following a successful book launch in Nanning in November 2024, she accompanied author Do Quang Tuan Hoang on a Southeast Asian writers' tour from May 23 to June 4 across Guangxi and Guangdong.

She has consistently introduced new Vietnamese cultural books to both Chinese and Southeast Asian publishers, such as "Viet Nam an mac thong dong" (Vietnam: Leisurely in Dress) and "Ngan nam tra Viet" (A Thousand Years of Vietnamese Tea), both by Do Quang Tuan Hoang. The former is expected to complete translation by August, while the latter is currently underway. Both books are slated for publication in China in 2026.

Nguyen Le Chi said she plans to continue bringing Vietnamese writers to China for cultural exchanges with readers and students, helping to deepen Chinese understanding and appreciation of Vietnamese culture and literature.

Vietnamese bookstore fosters cultural exchange in Japan

Near Kita-Sakado station in Saitama prefecture, a small bookstore, run by a young Vietnamese entrepreneur, has become a rendezvous for the Vietnamese community in Japan.

Vietnamese books to be introduced at world's largest book fair

Vietnamese books will be introduced at Frankfurter Buchmesse, the largest book fair in the world, which will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, from October 16 to 20.