Poetry Spreads Message of Peace Between Vietnam and New Zealand

	Promoting Cooperation between Palmerston North and Vietnamese Localities
	Vietnam - New Zealand Explore Cooperation Opportunity at Autumn Fair 2025 in Hanoi

The program was attended by Lieutenant General, Hero of Labour, and writer Huu Uoc; Senior Lieutenant Colonel and poet Loi Vu; Dr. and poet Christien Chen (a New Zealander of Chinese origin), along with a large number of poets, writers, and artists from various localities. The event drew considerable attention from the literary community, becoming an open forum for dialogue among domestic and international authors.

Speaking at the event, writer Huu Uoc emphasized that in the context of increasingly deep international integration, cultural and artistic exchanges play an important role in strengthening connections among nations. He noted that poetry, with its emotional richness and humanistic values, is an effective medium for conveying messages of peace, helping to bridge divides and foster empathy among peoples.

As part of the event, a bilingual English-Vietnamese “Vietnam-New Zealand poetry anthology,” featuring works by 21 authors from both countries, was introduced to the public. The publication is expected to be released on the international market through Prodigy (USA), thereby contributing to the promotion of Vietnamese literature globally and expanding access for international readers to learn more about Vietnam’s country and people.

Authors pose for a commemorative photo at the launch of the “Vietnam-New Zealand poetry anthology.” (Photos: The World and Vietnam Report)

Professor and poet Trinh Quoc Thang remarked that in Vietnam, poetry is not only an art form but also a crystallization of the nation’s history and culture. Over thousands of years, poetry has accompanied the country, appearing in all walks of life, from royalty to leaders such as President Ho Chi Minh, as well as in the daily lives of the people and soldiers. In times of war, poetry served as a source of spiritual encouragement, while in peacetime it has been a means of sharing and enriching the human soul.

He also introduced to international friends a distinctive aspect of Vietnamese culture: the tradition of engraving poetry on mountain cliffs and stone steles since ancient times - a unique form of preserving verse that affirms Vietnam as a “land of poetry.”

At the event, poet Christien Chen expressed her impression of the warm reception by her Vietnamese counterparts. She shared that her interest in Vietnam developed early and was further strengthened through field trips exploring the country’s history, culture, and people.

She noted that from a young age, her awareness of Vietnam, shaped by films and images of war, motivated her to undertake a cross-Vietnam motorcycle journey more than 25 years ago to gain a firsthand understanding of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. These experiences helped her build a deep connection with Vietnam, not only in her creative work but also from a cultural perspective.

Christien Chen also highlighted similarities in written cultural foundations, noting connections between Chinese characters in Vietnamese culture and her own heritage. She stated that she would continue translating the anthology into Chinese to expand its reach and bring Vietnamese poetry closer to international readers.

During the program, Vietnamese authors presented many notable works reflecting the nation’s history, people, and cultural identity. Poems about President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, as well as verses on Vietnam’s land, people, and international friendship, helped to highlight the humanistic values and spirit of peace embodied in poetry.

Assessing the significance of the event, poet Bui Viet My, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Writers’ Association, described it as a practical activity to promote international literary exchange, creating opportunities for authors to share experiences, improve the quality of their work, and gradually integrate Vietnamese literature more deeply into global cultural life.

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