Vietnamese Literature from 1975 to Present: Writers Must Make Efforts to Innovate

Half a century after the country's reunification, Vietnamese literature has undergone many changes to continue to affirm its role in the nation's spiritual life.

The conference summarizing Vietnamese literature after 1975 raised the question of writers' responsibility in the face of technological change. (Photo: MAI LU)

Looking back at the achievements and prospects from 1975 to the present, especially in the current period, besides the advantages, there are still difficulties and limitations in the development of literature, but first of all, we must recognize the obstacles within each writer.

According to the Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, Nguyen Quang Thieu, the ability to self-reflect, perceive, resolve and regenerate from within each writer is a vital condition for literature. From a broader perspective, the obstacle, in addition to the issue of psychological safety, also depends on how people face the new era, especially with artificial intelligence (AI) - a factor that is gradually intervening deeply in both the creative process and the editing and evaluation of works.

There are quite a few writers who admit to being concerned that AI and increasingly developed technology will replace humans; others are “not afraid” because they actually do not understand AI. Both extremes of obsession or indifference have the same weakness, which is a lack of understanding of the nature of technology.

In fact, many writers have become lazy to feel, think, experience... when depending on AI; many manuscripts today, despite being polished in their words, are still cold, not bringing any vibrations. If that continues, literature will gradually turn into a technical product instead of a special journey of thinking and emotion. The abuse of AI in the writing world is being justified by many reasons: saving time, supporting creativity, suggesting ideas... However, at a deeper level, it is a sign of an inner crisis when the writer no longer believes in his or her own ability to self -discover . If there is no more tormenting contemplation, how can the true value of literature exist?

Delegates contributed many ideas at the conference summarizing Vietnamese literature after 1975. (Photo: MAI LU)

In some aspects, literary works are being flattened by the writers themselves, and from the opposite extreme, there are writers who completely reject technology, thinking that it is a way to preserve identity, but it may be another form of fear: fear of change, fear of learning, fear of being surpassed. Writers may not apply or interact with technology, but they cannot treat technology as if it never existed, because literature, whether it resists or integrates, must still blend into the general spirit of the times.

Our country's literature has made important marks in wars to defend the Fatherland, in the cause of innovation and national construction.

The half-century of literature after 1975 has witnessed efforts to innovate, the emergence of a large number of young authors and many forms of experimentation and promotion..., but to truly enter a new stage of turning point, breakthrough, even creating a social "aftershock", vibrant integration with regional and world literature, it seems that writers need more courage to overcome themselves. All mechanisms, policies, awards, seminars... are only catalysts that contribute to encouraging and cheering for the change that is urged from within the writer.

At the deepest level of every artistic revolution, the most important thing is for people to renew themselves to be worthy of their own aspirations and beliefs, and those of the public. With literature, only when writers meet that requirement can they create a literary life that is worthy of development, meeting the urgent demands of the times .

MAI LU

Source: https://nhandan.vn/van-hoc-viet-nam-tu-1975-toi-nay-nguoi-cam-but-phai-no-luc-tu-doi-moi-post916357.html