Though young writers, particularly who have been engaged in online literature, have yet to secure a firm foothold in Vietnam’s orthodox literary field or gain critical acclaim from their traditional, older predecessors, they have undeniably aroused a fresh, intriguing wave and enjoyed a great number of young followers.

Quite a lot of online books written by young people, who may be professional writers or not, have constantly topped local bestseller lists.

Some hundred printed versions of online books by young writers can be easily found at bookshops, including Thien Binh’s “Doi khi tinh yeu chi la chuyen mot nguoi” (Sometimes love is just a person’s story), Quai Vuong’s “Nhung ngay doi nang” (The days waiting for sunshine), Fuyu’s “Sau lung mot vat nang” (A streak of sunshine behind), Dung Keil’s “Yeu nhu mot cai cay” (Love like a tree), Hamlet Truong’s and Tango Tran’s “Yeu di roi khoc” (Fall in love and cry), Quynh Chi’s “Duong yeu gap khuc” (Zigzag love), and Nguyen Ngoc Thach’s “Chenh venh hai lam” (Unsteady age 25) and “Doi callboy” (A callboy’s life).

Most online writers claim that some of the benefits of releasing their works on the Internet are the works’ easy accessibility to their readers. The writers themselves can also be known or even gain fame more easily.

In addition, online writing can also allow authors to interact fully with their readers, mostly young ones, who join the writing process to a certain extent and can be even considered “co-authors.”

The phenomenon has triggered quite controversial opinions in the local literature area.

More than a few choosy people have expressed concern about the overnight success of such books, which are quite similar in content – mostly about couples’ love – and are plagued by sloppy prose and lack of creativity.

In July last year, the book “Dung Chet O Chau Phi” (Don’t Die in Africa) – the second book of the series “Xach Ba Lo Len va Di” (Get your backpack and go) featuring the journey of 23-year-old Huyen Chip (real name Nguyen Thi Khanh Huyen), on her own through 25 countries with only US$700 to start with – caused quite a stir among young readers. The first one is “Chau A La Nha, Dung Khoc” (Asia is Home, Don’t Cry), which was released last year.

Before and after its publication, “Dung Chet O Chau Phi” gathered tons of comments from her fans who expressed admiration for the young girl for her courage, as well as opponents who are seriously skeptical about the authenticity and reliability of Huyen’s accounts in the two travel diary books.

Some even suggested the book should be withdrawn.

On the other hand, a number of writers and many readers have considered the proliferation of these books an inevitable trend; just like in many book markets in the world, popular books for average readers typically top the bestseller charts.

The boom of young, online writers

“Teen story,” part of the section “2!” in Sinh Vien Viet Nam (Vietnamese Students) newspaper, which debuted in 2007, is considered the initiator of writings for youngsters by youths themselves.

Journalist Hoang Anh Tu, one of the section’s creators, shared that “Teen Story” are short stories, which provide a slice of urban young people’s lives in a narrow space.

These stories normally do not exceed 3,000 words and are written as simply as possible.

“The stories appeal hugely to youths as their storylines revolve around young love and reflect questions about their ego and the quest for recognition and togetherness. Along with the boom of the Internet and blogging movement, followed by Facebook, this flow actually affects most young writers these days,” Tu shared.

Most of these young writers are well aware of who they are, and what their readers want from their works.

Local young writer Anh Khang insisted that he is not a writer but merely a recorder of youths’ emotions.

“To put it simply, I'm a mere friend of readers, who was born at the same time with them, and is also maturing as they are,” shared young singer/ writer Hamlet Truong.

Several sentences from Khang’s and Truong’s works are among the most quoted ones on social networks.

Bloggers, celebrities jump in

Realizing the potential for the fast growing market, several book companies have jumped on the bandwagon, releasing works by not only young writers but also showbiz celebrities, including models, actors, singers and TV hosts.

Books, particularly autobiographies, such as emcee Thuy Minh’s “Boy-ology Hoc thuyet dan ong” (Boy-ology, Men’s theory), supermodel Vu Ha Anh’s “La toi – Ha Anh” (It’s me – Ha Anh), transgender singer Huong Giang Idol’s “Toi ve chan dung toi” (I painted my portrait) and emcee Tung Leo’s “Tim nhau giua Sai Gon” (Find each other in Saigon), have contributed to an increasingly vibrant youths’ book market.

“In today’s world, almost anyone capable of writing can write a book. Popular bloggers, who have more followers, will have an even easier chance. Sometimes local book publishers buy manuscripts, and print books to cater to these writers’ own readers. Thus, with these books being bestsellers, it’s difficult to conclude whether at present the quality of books or the reader’s taste has gone down,” Tu noted.

Quality does not really count

Young poet Phong Viet, a successful local pioneer who holds PR events to promote his poetry releases, is a supporter of online, young writing.

“Young writers these days know well how to market their books. Hamlet Truong sings his heart out when he holds book exchanges with his readers, while Anh Khang considerately signed autographs at the 2014 Ho Chi Minh City Book Fair. Currently, an exchange with a writer isn’t limited to giving autographs. Instead, it allows readers to be much more interactive, they’re welcome to give passionate kisses, take photos with their favorite writers, and suggest what they want the writers to write for them as a memento,” Viet noted.

“Some may like or dislike a book, so a bestseller youths’ book isn’t necessarily poor in quality,” he stressed.

Viet added that as concerns have been expressed regarding the declining reading culture, it’s a positive sign that a number of young readers queue up to buy the printed versions of their favorite online literary works. 

“Both orthodox, serious and young, online writing are two streams, which the public knows how to filter out what they don't find appealing or suitable,” the successful young poet concluded.

Veteran literary critic Pham Xuan Nguyen also urged for more recognition from culture authorities for online writing, which can co-exist in harmony with orthodox, printed literature.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!