Authored by Hieu Minh and Huyen Trang with illustrations by renowned artist Ta Huy Long, the 100-page picture book presents a sweeping visual narrative of Vietnamese history—from the legendary Hong Bang era to the present day.
Edited by historian Duong Trung Quoc, who also wrote the introduction, the book is the first of its kind designed specifically to engage young readers with Viet Nam’s rich past through illustrations.
The latest edition was translated by Japanese scholar Shimizu Masaaki and undergone editorial review by Dr. Kondo Mika and Professor Dr. Okada Masashi.
Speaking at the event, Bui Tuan Nghia, Director of Kim Dong Publishing House, emphasised the publisher’s ongoing commitment to making history accessible to children: “Our goal is to present historical knowledge through formats that are both educational and engaging for young audiences.”
The Japanese edition was conceived as a cultural gift for Vietnamese children living in Japan, offering them a deeper understanding of their roots while nurturing bilingual literacy.
For her part, Ngo Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that in today’s globalised world, the Vietnamese language is more than a means of communication—it is a vital thread of national identity connecting communities overseas to their homeland.
First released in 2011, ‘A Pictorial History of Viet Nam’ has sold over 200,000 copies across multiple editions, including Vietnamese-only, bilingual Vietnamese–English, and a Korean-language version. The new Vietnamese–Japanese edition marks its fourth release.
