Book collection featuring Vietnamese heroes reprinted

NATIONAL HEROES: New books feature famous monarchs, traditional heroes and generals in different periods under the dynasties of Đinh, Lý, Trần and Lê. Photo courtesy of Kim Đồng Publishing House.

HCM CITY — A collection of historical books for children by Vietnamese writers has been reprinted by the Kim Đồng Publishing House. 

It includes nine books featuring famous monarchs, traditional heroes and generals in different periods under the dynasties of Đinh, Lý, Trần and Lê. 

The books were written by well-known authors such as Hoài Anh, Vũ Ngọc Tiến and Hà Ân. 

“Việt Nam’s history shows several remarkable kings and military leaders who dedicated themselves to protect and develop the country,” said a representative of Kim Đồng Publishing House. “We hope our books will help young readers improve their knowledge and respect for their ancestors and national heroes as well.” 

Highlighted books include author Nguyễn Anh’s Thập Đạo Tướng Quân Lê Hoàn (Great General Lê Hoàn), a publication about historical characters and events under the early Lê Dynasty. 

The work portrays Lê Đại Hành, originally named Lê Hoàn and known as General Lê Hoàn, the first king of the early Lê Dynasty between 980 and 1005. 

General Hoàn defended the country before the invasion of the Chinese Song dynasty. 

He led his army to defeat the Song invaders in 981. He later became the first emperor of the Early Lê Dynasty, named Lê Đại Hành. 

Emperor Lê Đại Hành is recorded in history as a talented military leader and great politician with useful policies that built the country Đại Cồ Việt (now Việt Nam). 

Today, Emperor Lê Đại Hành and his wife, Queen Dương Vân Nga, are worshipped in the Temple of Lê Đại Hành in Hoa Lư Ancient Capital, now Hoa Lư District in Ninh Bình Province

Writer Ân’s Ông Trạng Thả Diều (The Scholar) highlights educator Chu Văn An (1292-1370), who was famous for his intelligence and ethics. 

Teacher Chu Văn An was a resident of Văn Thôn Village (now a part of Thanh Trì District) in capital Hà Nội.

He opened a school in Huỳnh Cung Village near the Tô Lịch River. He is considered a master teacher, who spent his lifetime spreading a humane education philosophy, combining theory and practice, and popularising Confucian thinking in Việt Nam.

Many top officials at that time were his students, including prince Trần Vượng, a son of Emperor Trần Minh Tông (1300-1357).

Under King Dụ Tông’s reign (1341-1369), he discovered seven corrupt mandarins and proposed that the king should give them death sentences but the king refused.

After his death in 1370, an altar dedicated to him was established in the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội.

Kim Đồng Publishing House, one of the country’s leading printers, has 60 years in the industry. It has worked with young writers to support them develop and release books. 

The publisher will release 30 new historical books for children in 2024-25 as part of its efforts to expand the reading habit among children and teenagers. — VNS