The desire to bring Vietnamese literature into the global spotlight united acclaimed writer Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai with two enthusiastic young visionaries, Pascal Tâm and Thiên Kim.

Together, they co-founded Major Books, an international publishing house committed to translating and sharing Vietnamese literary works with the world.

One morning, Mai, a prominent Vietnamese contemporary novelist and poet, unexpectedly received a letter from Major Books, a recently established publisher in the UK. 

The letter invited her to write introductions for several upcoming publications.

When she reviewed the list of works, she was surprised to see titles she deeply cherished: Biên Sử Nước (Water: A Chronicle) by Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, Làm Đĩ (Making a Whore) by Vũ Trọng Phụng, Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kieu) by Nguyễn Du, Song Song (Parallel) by Vũ Đình Giang, Những Đứa Trẻ Chết Già (The Young Die Old) by Nguyễn Bình Phương, and the first volume of Kho Tàng Truyện Cổ Tích Việt Nam (The Treasure of Vietnamese Folk Tales) by Nguyễn Đông Chi.

At the time, she felt the excitement and curiosity surging through her veins -- wondering who was behind Major Books and why they had chosen these titles?

"Could this be a turning point for Vietnamese literature to go global?" she thought.

The mission to be seen

During her many international book tours, Mai frequently heard readers lament the lack of Vietnamese literature on their bookshelves.

Meanwhile, Korean and Japanese works were thriving, with best-sellers translated into multiple languages.

"Where does the true potential of Vietnamese literature lie? What must we do to share our stories with the world?" She then wondered.

Determined to find the answers, Mai reached out to the team behind Major Books and arranged a meeting with them.

At a small café in London, Mai met Kim and Tâm, two young individuals brimming with enthusiasm, recounting their conversation.

Kim shared their vision with a sparkle in her eyes, “We realized that beyond Korea and Japan, Asian literature holds an immense, untapped treasure trove, including works from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.

"However, these have not been adequately explored.

"The global appetite for translated literature continues to grow as the world becomes more attuned to cultural diversity.

“International literary awards such as the Booker and Nobel Prizes are increasingly recognizing Asian authors, like Shehan Karunatilaka from Sri Lanka and Geetanjali Shree from India.

"This demonstrates that Asian literature possesses world-class quality. The problem lies in the lack of translated works.

"We aim to change that, starting with Vietnamese literature.”

Tâm shared his motivation, “Born and raised in France in a Vietnamese family, I've always felt disconnected from my ancestors.

"When I searched for Vietnamese literary works in England, I found access to them extremely limited.

"That realization inspired me and Thiên Kim to establish Major Books -- not only for me but for many others seeking to reconnect with Vietnamese culture.”

Mai sensed an instant resonance with their passion, understanding that Major Books is not merely a business venture but a cultural mission -- a journey to rediscover one’s roots and share them with the world.

Building cultural bridges

Major Books is headquartered in London and provides direct access to a global readership.

The company enjoys support from University College London, opening doors to connections with students, professors, and literary enthusiasts.

Explaining the selection criteria for their publications, Kim emphasized, “We have just one criterion: literary quality. We aim to offer readers a comprehensive view of Vietnamese literature -- classical and contemporary, novels, short stories, and poetry.

"By diversifying periods and genres, we help readers better understand Vietnam’s culture and history.”

However, translating and publishing Vietnamese literature come with challenges, especially since Vietnam, unlike other countries, lacks a translation support fund.

“We’ve worked hard to secure support from international organizations," Kim said.

"The English PEN Award for Biên Sử Nước is a significant milestone. This recognition not only provides financial assistance but also boosts credibility with international readers and bookstores.”

Collaboration with skilled translators is key to their success, as Major Books works with talented individuals like Nguyễn An Lý on Biên Sử Nước, Nguyễn Bình on Truyện Kiều, Ngọc Mai Định on Làm Đĩ, and Khải Nguyên on Song Song as well as Những Đứa Trẻ Chết Già.

“Sensitivity to language and deep cultural understanding is crucial. We prioritize working with Vietnamese translators, for they best capture the essence of the original works,” Kim noted.

To foster a new generation of skilled translators, Kim suggested, “We need more opportunities -- not just for translating but also for professional development.

"Vietnam would benefit from more training programs led by experienced professionals.

"Strengthening English-to-Vietnamese translation skills will ultimately improve Vietnamese-to-English capabilities.”

Tâm outlined their global outreach strategy, “Our goal is to bring Vietnamese literature to bookstores worldwide and make it accessible to curious readers everywhere.

"Initially, we are focusing on the UK but plan to expand to the U.S., Europe, and beyond.

"We’ve partnered with distributors and reputable bookstores, some with international networks.

"Many stores are already accepting pre-orders for upcoming titles.”

Hope and expectations

“With dedication and a clear strategy, Major Books can usher in a new era for Vietnamese literature on the global stage," Mai said.

"What matters most is faith and perseverance.”

Kim eyed broader support, saying, “We hope to gain assistance from the Vietnamese government, in both media and funding. Promoting Vietnamese literature worldwide requires a collective effort.”

Pascal Tâm concluded, “Our ultimate goal is not profit but to bring Vietnam’s precious narratives to more readers.

"When the global audience gains a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and people through literature, it creates bridges that bring the world closer together.”

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