Writer Nguyen Huy Thiep. (Photo: vov.vn)

Nguyen Huy Thiep was born in 1950 in the northern Thai Nguyen province. He graduated from the History Faculty of Hanoi Teachers Training College and began his writing career in 1986 with several short stories published in the Literature and Arts newspaper. Thiep’s stories, drawing on history and literature themes, depicted contemporary Vietnamese society, rural life, and workers.

In his 50-year career, Thiep wrote 50 short stories, 10 scripts, 4 novels, and much literary criticism.

His most popular stories include “Tuong ve huu” (Retired Army General), “Nhung ngon gio Hua Tat” (Winds in Hua Tat village), “Khong co vua” (No King), “Kiem sac” (Sharp sword), and “Vang lua” (Golden fire). Notably, Thiep’s story “Retired Army General” was made into a film in 1988.

“Nguyen Huy Thiep was a well-known Vietnamese writer in the 1980s. I like some of his popular stories, like ‘Retired Army General’, and ‘Winds in Hua Tat village’. Thiep was very talented. He also wrote drama scripts and poems,” said Nguyen Hue Chi of Hanoi.

Thiep received a State Prize in Literature and Arts, the French Literature and Arts Medal, and Italy’s Premio Nonino prize.

Thiep’s talent was admired by his friends and colleagues. Writer Nguyen Van Tho said, “Nguyen Huy Thiep is a bright star in contemporary Vietnamese literature. He was very dedicated to his work.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, a writer who lives in Hanoi, said, “Nguyen Huy Thiep wrote a lot about rural life and workers. He travelled often to different areas to observe the life of farmers, especially in Vietnam’s northwest. I love books and am always on the lookout for stories by Thiep for my children to read in the hope that they will learn about Vietnam’s history and literature”.

Thiep’s writing, which combined traditional and modern styles, made him a phenomenon of contemporary Vietnamese literature.