Hanoi (VNA) 𝔍– The Vietnamese identity in Germany, France, and the Czech Republic, etc., is the main theme explored in the 2025 edition of the European Days of Literature in Vietnam, aiming to foster mutual understanding and bilateral connection through culture.

Diaspora literature, particularly the works of European writers of Vietnamese origin, is gaining growing recognition in both Vietnam and Europe. Their stories, which often explore themes of identity, intergenerational conflict, and the search for belonging, bring fresh and diverse voices to European literature. Beyond offering personal narratives, these writers challenge conventional literary boundaries, expanding the form through fiction, poetry, theater, film, journalism and multimedia storytelling. Themed “Roots and Routes: Vietnamese-European Diasporic Stories”, the programme is being held in Hanoi from May 8 to 12. Several days earlier, it took place in Ho Chi Minh City and the central city of Hue. There are many activities in the capital city, starting with a discussion “Voices of Resiliences: Female Vietnamese Writers in the Diaspora” at the Goethe-Institut on May 8. In their works, there are struggles of identity, efforts to transcend the binaries of tradition and modernity, of expectations and aspirations, and of rigid definitions of womanhood. A workshop “The Novel-Writing Journey: From Idea to Completion” is scheduled to be hosted at the British Council on May 9. Cecile Pin will share her journey to becoming a novelist – from finding inspiration for her debut novel to the publication process. Through writing exercises and lively discussions, she will introduce participants to key elements of fiction writing, including plot structure, character development and voice. Screenwriter and director Nghiem Quynh Trang will guide participants in developing a film idea into a screenplay at the workshop entitled “Screenwriting: A Creative Journey” at the Embassy of the Czech Republic on May 10. Through a series of writing exercises and group discussions, participants will learn how to critically reflect on their own work and improve their scripts through successive drafts. The “Enjoying Film: Let’s Watch and Create Animation Together!” workshop will also take place at the embassy. Participants will enjoy a selection of Czech animated films, explore the history of cinema in conversation with directors Do Van Hoang and Trang, and discover how a literary work can be adapted into film. They will also get the chance to experiment and create their own short animated film. Other events include a workshop “Integrating Journalism Technique into Fiction Writing” with award-winning author Khue Pham and a discussion “Literary Conversations: Voices Behind the Pages” on May 10 at the Goethe-Institut. There will also be a panel discussion “Graphic Novel: When Literature and History Intertwined with Illustration” at the Kim Dong Publishing House on May 11, and a discussion “Diasporic Identities and Intergenerational Trauma: Stories of Vietnamese - European Diasporic Literature” at the Goethe-Institut on the same day. Previously on May 5, a roundtable of “Literary Influences and the Voices behind Them” was held at the HCM City's University of Social Sciences and Humanities. A workshop of crafting compelling podcasts led by acclaimed journalist and podcaster Vanessa Vu helped participants explore the intersection of journalism and podcasting. Participants learnt how to use journalistic techniques to create podcast narratives that resonate with listeners. On May 6, a discussion entitled “Unveiling Hidden Histories through Diasporic Literature” was held at the Deutsches Haus. History was not only written in grand events, it breathed in the quiet, often unseen stories of ordinary lives. Drawing from their experiences, panelists, acclaimed Vietnamese-European writers, explored how these realities have informed their literary works. On May 7, delegates and participants discusses about “Roots and Routes: Diasporic Vietnamese Narratives” at the French Institute of Hue. In this panel, writers, who navigate multiple cultural worlds, talked about how their diasporic journeys have quietly molded their literary voices./.