From the small island of Thieng Lieng, youth literature takes flight

From the campus of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University), the convoy carried 21 young writers to the writing camp for the 2025 Young Literature Creative Experience Activity on Thieng Lieng Island (Thanh An Commune, Ho Chi Minh City).

21 young writers arrived at the first stop, the Memorial Temple for the heroic martyrs of Rung Sac - Photo: NVCC

The 4-day, 3-night activity was hosted by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City) for 21 campers from provinces, cities, and universities across the country.

These are young people who won high prizes in the previous 3 seasons of the Youth Literature Award for students hosted by Ho Chi Minh City National University since 2022, now entering its 4th season.

First footprints in Can Gio

Crossing the mangrove-lined road to Can Gio, the first stop is the Monument to the heroic martyrs of Rung Sac. In front of the sacred space, young authors offered incense and bowed their heads to pay tribute to those who died to protect the sea and sky of the Fatherland.

Boarding the canoe, the group sailed down the waves to Thieng Lieng Island. The small island amidst the vast waves welcomed them with peace and tranquility.

Here, the first seminar was opened: Vietnamese - The source of literary creation led by journalist Duong Thanh Truyen.

Vietnamese is likened to a vast river, both gentle and full of musicality, nourishing the writer’s soul. These sharings instill in each writer the belief that the national language is not only a means, but also a material, a foundation for creativity.

When the sunset falls, the campers are immersed in the space of traditional music . After listening to the knowledge shared by the folk music experts, the young writers sing together the traditional melodies and long vọng cổ verses to the sentimental sounds of the amateur artists.

The seminar Vietnamese - The source of literary creation led by journalist Duong Thanh Truyen - Photo: NVCC

White Salt Grains and Genre Boundaries

In the morning, young writers got to learn about the salt making profession together, and touch the pure white salt flowers. The salty breath in the sea breeze carried the sweat of a hard working life. A page of nature's book opened, literature was like salt flowers, crystallized from sweat, from the sun and wind, from the persistent labor of people.

In the afternoon, the campers listened to researcher Nhat Chieu share the second topic: Creativity on the border of genres. The question was raised: in literary creation, are genre boundaries really fixed, or are they just doors to be crossed?

Young writers visit the salt-making site of Thieng Lieng island hamlet - Photo: NVCC

Every young writer suddenly realizes that he can find creative freedom when he dares to go to the border and even stand on the border, daring to experiment to create something new.

At night, Thieng Lieng beach becomes the stage for Poetry Night - A dream of words on a small island. Poems are sung amidst the sound of waves lapping against the mangrove trees and the rustling of the wind in the rows of water coconut trees.

There are poems about crying because of missing one's father, there are poems about pitying oneself with the traumas that cannot be shaken off from childhood, there are poems shining with youthful faith, but there are also poems of confusion because one does not know where to find one's identity.

Poetry Night is not only an opportunity to read and listen, but also a moment for creative generations to share with each other the magic that is always present in the hearts of sensitive literary people.

Emotional, cozy poetry night on a small island - Photo: NVCC

Literature takes off

The new dawn begins with the final topic: From playground to airport - How can young literature take off? by writer Bich Ngan and poet Phan Hoang.

Sincere sharing about the writing profession, the role of editing, journalism, and publishing has helped young people see clearly: passion is a fire, but to fly far, it requires both professional wings of knowledge and a persistent heart for words.

In the afternoon, the journey continues with the exploration of the primeval mangrove forest submerged deep in the sea. The group leaves the canoe, walks together on the long salt fields, lights incense at the Ba Temple and continues to conquer the top of Giong Chua.

Writer Bich Ngan shares about the topic From playground to airport - How can young literature take off? - Photo: NVCC

Looking down from above at the salt fields past the harvest season, it seemed that there was something deep inside urging the young writers to write and tell the story. On the way back, the group stopped by Thieng Lieng Border Guard Station.

The gentle smiles and everyday stories of the soldiers at the forefront of the storm touched the hearts of young authors. They are the sea guards who silently keep the mainland peaceful.

Late in the afternoon, the campers were taken to the Ngu Hanh Temple, where they and their teachers offered incense in a sacred space, in the religious beliefs of the islanders, so that literature could once again be imbued with cultural and spiritual depth.

The group walked together on the long salt fields - Photo: NVCC

That night, the Gala program Taking Off with Literature was held as a summary and closing of the journey. The field stage was sparkling with lights and the enthusiastic cheers of teachers, friends and islanders.

The performances were staged and performed by three groups of campers named after natural products of Thieng Lieng such as: Lim kim, Muoi hoa, Rung duoc.

Youthful energy and innocent confidence are vividly expressed through Hat Ly melodies, drama, poetry performances, etc. as an affirmation: young people not only write but also live with literature and bring literature out of the pages of books, bringing it into life.

Goodbye but not over

On the last morning on the island, the campers looked back at the sparkling salt fields, the rippling coastline and the small houses. Thieng Lieng was no longer a strange place, but a shared memory, a place that sowed the seeds of creativity in the hearts of youth.

Young writers at the Gala night Taking Off with Literature - Photo: NVCC

The journey of Taking Off with Literature 2025 has ended, but each young heart has opened a new door. The experiences and moments on the small island will be transformed into words, poems, and stories that carry the soul of the land and the soul of the people.

And so, from the nature and human life of the small island of Thieng Lieng, the love of literature will continue to take wing, fly further and wider, integrating into the great flow of contemporary literature both domestically and internationally.

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LA MAI THI GIA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tu-dao-nho-thieng-lieng-van-chuong-tuoi-tre-chap-canh-bay-len-20250831165550744.htm